Again, going back a few weekends… I originally read about this fascinating temple complex in the usually-helpful and informative Lonely Planet Korea guidebook (although their directions to find this particular place were not the best). An important shamanic shrine perched on a rocky mountainside within the city limits of Seoul… a steep labyrinth of stairs and narrow alleys, weathered plaster, concrete walls, and old wooden doorways. Persimmon trees heavy with fruit, twisted mountain pines, and tangled undergrowth spilling out everywhere, along with the usual Korean blend of old and new, urban and rural: clay pots everywhere, or small plots of land used for growing green vegetables and peppers. A huge oddly-shaped boulder (Son-bawi), said by some to look like a hooded monk, and by others to resemble the king whose spirit is said to dwell here. Among the rustic houses there are numerous Buddhist temple-style buildings, complete with colorful murals, including the familiar Son (Zen) “ox-herding” motifs.
Birds: crows, parrotbills, magpies, chickadees, sparrows, and the largest flocks of pigeons I’ve seen in Korea. Several feral cats, too, which among the Sanshin shrines seemed to take on a whole new significance…
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to record any of the unearthly music or the chanting that filled the air! Not that many photo opportunities, either, despite the surprising number of loud and colorful prayers and rituals going on, not to mention what I think was a kut (a specifically South Korean type of shamanic ceremony) taking place, so these pictures are mostly of scenery…