Report on the Actual Conditions of the Paintings of Shamanistic Spirits Enshrined in Village Shrines in Seoul

This article is an actual condition survey report that reveals the actual conditions of the paintings of shamanistic spirits enshrined in shrines in Seoul Metropolitan City area as of 2016. The report contains the actual conditions and status of the paintings of shamanistic spirits enshrined in a number of shrines remaining in Seoul Metropolitan City area. The author conducted a total inspection of the currently available paintings of shamanistic spirits upon request of Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2016, resulting in inspection of some 290 paintings of shamanistic spirits in 35 shrines across the Seoul Metropolitan City. This survey report has presented the present conditions and status of the paintings of shamanistic spirits enshrined in each shrine as well as of the shrines in a concrete manner, laying the foundation for further studies. The report has also presented a several case studies as to how to conduct studies on the paintings of shamanistic spirits enshrined in individual shrines. This is a presentation of concrete data and information instead of a formal academic thesis. Once published and released to the public upon completion, this report is likely to encourage active diverse research efforts towards the shrines and the paintings of shamanistic spirits in Seoul. In addition, the report has proposed that the shamanic village rituals, which are currently being performed in the shrines of Seoul, should be designated as the intangible cultural heritage of Seoul Metropolitan City. Designating individual rituals for government office deity as the local shamanic village rituals of Seoul Metropolitan City without appointing a specific holder or a holding group is expected to facilitate the passing down of our valuable traditional cultures and heritages of the past.