Hanyang kut : Korean shaman ritual music from Seoul

This volume presents a sophisticated analysis of the musical instruments, repertoires, musicians and ensembles, and symbolism of the ritual music of Korean Shamans of Seoul, Korea.

Placed firmly in a social and historical context, the author shows that Shamanism, considered superstition by many today, is not only alive and well in Seoul, but has preserved a rich tradition reaching back to the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910), the capital of which was Hanyang (now Seoul).

Through a comparison of Hanyang Kut, the rituals of the Hanyang Shamans and the ritual practice of Inner Asian Shamans, as well as an analysis of the relations of contemporary spirit-possession music rituals to Musok , the indigenous religion of Korea, the author sheds valuable light on the role of music, spiritual practice, and culture in present day Korea.