| the spirit-paintings of Jeo-dong Bodeok-sa on Ulleung-do Island Korea's Remote Isle of Rich Folklore my photos from my visit in September 1998 |
| The unique-designed Sanshin-gak [Mountain-spirit Shrine] of Jeo-dong Town's Bodeok-sa [Treasure-Virtue Temple], just north of Do-dong Town, high on volcanic outcroppings in luxuriant forest. The gnarled thin cross-beams on the front porch are especially notable. It is really a Samseong-gak [Three Saints Shrine].... |
| The excellent modern Sanshin Taenghwa [Mountain-spirit Altar-Painting] icon inside. |
| His pair of boy and girl dongja boy-attendants (in blue and pink shirts, a modern/western "sexist" color-motif), are especially great -- the gnarled staff with a golden elixir-wine-gourd tied to it, the golden bird in the girl's floral headgear, as she offers a two of a holy fruit and two caps of bullocho immortality-mushrooms.... The boy has a long-pointed nose, uplifted in a "snooty" attitude -- as-if he is French! :-) |
| The excellent modern Dokseong Taenghwa [Lonely Saint Altar-icon], apparently by the same artist but using striking different side-motifs. |
| The fine modern Shinjung Taenghwa [Assembly of Guardian Spirits Altar-icon] |
| Sanshin holding a sprig of bullocho, the Daoist mushroom that grants immortality. |
| The strikingly good Yong-wang Taenghwa [Dragon-King Altar-Painting] icon -- with, quite unusually, stone statues of the Nahan [Arahants, 16 primary disciples of Sakyamuni Buddha] in front of it. |
