Snap de la semaine: Insadong, Seoul
In the market on Insadong-gil, a street which is connected to a multitude of alleys that lead deeper into the district. At one time it was the largest market for antiques and artworks in Korea. Korean masks have a long tradition, with use in a variety of contexts. They were used in war, on both soldiers and their horses; ceremonially, for burial rites in jade and bronze and for shamanistic ceremonies to drive away evil spirits; to remember the faces of great historical figures in death masks; and in the arts, particularly in ritual dances, courtly, and theatrical plays.
Kathryn and Daniel will post a ‘Snap de la semaine’ irregulary, but at a rate of one per week. It is an original photo not otherwise on the site—it might be fresh from our camera, a new scan of some old film, a product of our fooling around with Photoshop, or a file from the archive that we haven’t posted yet.
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This is a beautiful picture! I loved South Korea and would love to go back. I never actually spent time in Seoul, but when I make it back there, I would love to check this place out.
As a travel destination, in my opinion, Korea is underrated, and depending on whether you go East, South or West (North’s not an option) you will enjoy a different experience! Seoul is a great option, too!
Love the facial expression from the mask. From sad to happy.
Thanks, Amy. The masks to which you refer are called Hahoe masks (Hahoetal) and are used in Hahoe Tal Chum (a dramatic dance) in one of Korea’s most traditional folk plays.
What a great collection of masks – so expressive – love it, so thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Renny—appreciae your dropping by the blog!
I love these photos! I haven’t had the chance to go to Asia yet, but I’m really looking forward to it. I love the style of Asian art so it’s a treat seeing a photo of real street art there.
I know exactly where this was taken. I have a similar photo in my archives
We LOVED Korea and totally agree that it is way under-rated as a destination! (But, then again – shhh – don’t tell anyone or it’ll be overrun with tourists!)