It is the gut, Korean shamanic ritual, based on the lengthy historical experience of the Korean people that reflects this theme, that has been transmitted as a cultural form encapsulating the national spirit. Through gut, which comforts the living, as well as the dead, solving troubles, alleviating sorrows, and resolving grievances, it is possible for the Korean people to find hope and courage. In addition, gut, consisting of song, dance, and theatrical elements, is a dynamic and emotional ritual process establishing harmony amongst humankind and between humans and gods, as well as having the educational function of transmitting culture.This book, a collection of photos showing the features of gut, which survived despite difficulties, is the work of Kim Soo-nam, who has roamed all over Korea since the 1970's and has established himself as an outstanding photographer in the field of Korean shamanism. Kim's black and white photos, selected using strict criteria and representing 20 kinds of gut from different regions of Korea, displayed in the performing order of the rituals themselves, vividly illustrate the artistic beauty and religious solemnity of shamanism, the sorrow, pain, and joy shown during the performance of gut, as well as the common people's love, laughter, and tears and their dogged resilience and enduring vitality. This book will encourage the study of Korean culture and offer a new perspective in its understandings as well as enable the readers to feel the breath of the dying folk culture of Korea.

Gut, Korean Shamanic Ritual : Songs Calling Spirits

Kim Soo-nam

Youlhwadang Publishers

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Books by Kim Soo-nam

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kim Soo-nam. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Gut, Korean Shamanic Ritual : Songs Calling Spirits