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A Study of Joseon Shamanism
조선무속의 연구 ( 朝鮮巫俗の硏究 , Chosen fuzoku no kenkyu )
Chōsen fuzoku no kenkyū (A Study of Joseon Shamanism) is a two-volume publication written in 1937 by the Japanese scholars Akiba Takashi (1888-1954) and Akamatsu Chijo (1886-1960). Akiba majored in sociology at Tokyo Imperial University and Akamatsu in theology at Kyoto Imperial University. Akiba was a researcher for the Japanese Government- General and was appointed in 1926 to the faculty at Keijo Imperial University in Seoul, where he served until 1945. Akamatsu served on the faculty at Keijo
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Ancestor God
조상 ( 祖上 , Josang )
Josang is a god widely worshipped in Korean folk religion, which in narrow terms refers to one’s immediate ancestors or offspring, but in broader terms refers to any deceased relative or unrelated soul that can affect the family. As a household god, Josang refers to one’s immediate ancestors or offspring, but they are viewed as transcendental beings rather than blood relations. On the other hand, Josang as a shamanic god includes all immediate and extended family, both male and female, and all o
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Association of Entertainers
재인청 ( 才人廳 , Jaeincheong )
Jaeincheong, or Association of Entertainers, was a selfgoverning organization formed by shamans, musicians, acrobats, dancers and clowns. The association was also called Gwangdaecheong (Association of Clowns) or Hwarangcheong (Association of Shamanic Musicians), and maintained offices in Gyeonggi, Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces. It had a strict organizational structure and its members included hereditary shamans (seseummu), shamanic music accompanists (hwarang), acrobats (jaein), singing and d
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Banners of the Guardian Gods of the Five Directions
오방신장기 ( 五方神將旗 , Obangsinjanggi )
Obangsinjanggi, or the banners of the guardian gods of the five directions, is a set of banners in five colors, used for divination in shamanic rituals. These flags are made with bamboo staffs around 70 centimeters long, some as long as 100 centimeters, the banner with silk or other fabric, sometimes dyed mulberry paper. They are around 70 centimeters in width and 50 centimeters in length. The colors of the banners are associated with the five directions according to traditional cosmology: blue
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Clown God
창부씨 ( 昌夫氏 , Changbussi )
Changbussi, or Clown God, is a deity in charge of entertainment and the arts. Alternate versions of the name include Changbu and Changbudaesin. It is believed that a famous clown died and was enshrined, or deified. Good fortune rituals (jaesugut) held in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions include a segment dedicated to Changbussi, a character of artistic and theatrical spirit that requires a loud and entertaining performance by musicians and dancers. The deity is also responsible for protecting the
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Collector God
걸립신 ( 乞粒神 , Geollipsin )
Geollipsin, or Collector God, is a deity that helps spirits or good fortune enter the house and be greeted. Geollip refers to the collection of grains or goods for a collective effort that serves a specific cause related to the public good and solidarity. It seems that this spirit of fundraising and participation has been developed into a conceptual deity. Geollipsin is a shamanic god, often enshrined in the image of Daegam (State Official God), which oversees material fortune, and is also calle
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Constellation Agency
성수청 ( 星宿廳 , Seongsucheong )
Seongsucheong was a state agency in early Joseon (1392-1910) that oversaw shamanic rituals to pray for good fortune and prevent calamities for the state and the royal court, officiated by gungmu, the state shaman. The agency was also called Seongsincheong, the terms seongsu and seongsin, both meaning, “constellation, ” which were evidently borrowed from Taoism. In Goryeo (918-1392), state-run rituals called byeolgieun were held, which mixed elements of Buddhsim and Taoism, while also connected t
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Dangun, Founder of Gojoseon
단군 ( 檀君 , Dangun )
Dangun is the founder of Korea’s first kingdom Gojoseon (2333-108 B.C.E.) and is also worshipped as a deity in Korean folk religion. Earliest records on Dangun appear in 13th century historical texts including Samgungyusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) and Jewangungi (Songs of Emperors and Kings). Dangun’s status in Korean history was firmly established during Joseon, when his tomb was identified and state-organized rituals were launched to worship him as the national founder. During the Gr
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Death-Appeasing Underworld Entry Ritual
동해안오구굿 ( 恶鬼巫祭 )
Ogugut is a shamanic ritual to pray for the rebirth of the dead in the heavens by appeasing the deceased and guiding its spirit to the underworld. Variations of the term include ogu, ogwi, ogwisaenamgut and keungut. The ritual is observed mostly in the south coast regions of Gyeongsang Province and along the east coast. Belonging to the same category of rituals for appeasing the spirit of the dead and praying for the well-being of the living, are jinogigut, the underworld entry ritual from the S
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Death-Appeasing Underworld Entry Ritual
남해안오구굿 ( 恶鬼巫祭 )
Ogugut is a shamanic ritual to pray for the rebirth of the dead in the heavens by appeasing the deceased and guiding its spirit to the underworld. Variations of the term include ogu, ogwi, ogwisaenamgut and keungut. The ritual is observed mostly in the south coast regions of Gyeongsang Province and along the east coast. Belonging to the same category of rituals for appeasing the spirit of the dead and praying for the well-being of the living, are jinogigut, the underworld entry ritual from the S
Korean Folk Beliefs
