Korean Culture

Fülszöveg

"I spent my teenage days reading avidly with the hope of becoming a successful writer Then it dawned on me that I was Korean. I wanted to study the origin of my people."
—— Prof. Kim Won-yong, Archaeologist
"If we can complete the computerization of the entire content of the Tripitaka Koreana within five years, ii will generate epoch-making momentum for studies in Buddhist hteratvire, comparable to a revolution." )
vjA— Chpngnim, Buddhist Priest
"I am certain that I would dance, weiaring a mask, if I was ever born again. And I would love to do the Ponggan dance for sure L believe no other nation op, the earth has such a beautiful and powerful folkiperforrning art as this."
Kife Ki-soo, Mask'Dancer
"Can you believe I can do this on paper without burning it? I don't mean to be arrogant, but it takes a lifelong endeavor to achieve this level of artistry."
-Kuk Yang-mun, Pyrographer
KOREAN CULTURE
Legacies and Lore
For me, the KOREANA series has been a joyixd journey of... Tovább

Fülszöveg

"I spent my teenage days reading avidly with the hope of becoming a successful writer Then it dawned on me that I was Korean. I wanted to study the origin of my people."
—— Prof. Kim Won-yong, Archaeologist
"If we can complete the computerization of the entire content of the Tripitaka Koreana within five years, ii will generate epoch-making momentum for studies in Buddhist hteratvire, comparable to a revolution." )
vjA— Chpngnim, Buddhist Priest
"I am certain that I would dance, weiaring a mask, if I was ever born again. And I would love to do the Ponggan dance for sure L believe no other nation op, the earth has such a beautiful and powerful folkiperforrning art as this."
Kife Ki-soo, Mask'Dancer
"Can you believe I can do this on paper without burning it? I don't mean to be arrogant, but it takes a lifelong endeavor to achieve this level of artistry."
-Kuk Yang-mun, Pyrographer
KOREAN CULTURE
Legacies and Lore
For me, the KOREANA series has been a joyixd journey of exploration into traditional Korean culture and arts. The journey has been breathless; planning trips, arranging interviews, gathering information, and above all else, writing usually up to the very last moment to meet unforgiving deadlines. It has, however, been a highly valuable endeavor. I was able to rediscover priceless cultural and artistic legacies of my nation and meet numerous people who, against the grain of changing times and values, and in most cases very slim prospects for immediate materialistic compensation, are making selfless efforts to preserve these legacies and hand them over to future generations.
In writing my features as well as in compiling and editing this book, I did my best to present in a limited space Korean culture as it has evolved through a long history and to record how it has survived the harsh waves of modernization in this century. As many people have pointed out, modernization in Korea has frequently meant Westernization. In this sense, we owe a great deal to the individuals who are introduced in this book and many others who have strived hard to keep our national culture alive in the face of the surging impact of foreign lifestyles and ways of thinking. Being a journalist by training, I wanted my account to be as objective as possible. But I probably should admit that, being a Korean as well, sometimes I may have been guided by a nationalistic, though not chauvinistic, inclination to focus on what I consider to be more presentable aspects of Korean heritage and traditions.
-From the preface
Photographs are by Park Bo-ha unless credited otherwise. Vissza