Seungmu

Seungmu is a Korean dance performed by Buddhist monks. It is one of the most famous Korean traditional dances and designated as South Korea's important intangible cultural asset number 27 in 1969. It has been developed into a solo dance by professional dancers.

Origins
There is little extant evidence regarding how Seungmu was created. Based on analyses of forms and movements of Seungmu, some researchers have suggested that it may derived from other Buddhist ritual dances or ethnic or folk dances. Some said that Seungmu came from bubgo dance, a Buddhist ritual dance. It was once prohibited during the Joseon dynasty era, and then it was transformed into a folk dance and developed mostly by kisaengs.

Forms
The dancer wears a robe (jangsam) with long sleeve called gasa and white hood called (gokkal). The drum or bubgo is the most important part of Seungmu.

The seungmu integrates the eight rhythmic cycles: yeombul, dodeuri, taryeong, jajin taryeong, gutgeori, dwit gutgeori, gujeong nori, and saesanjo. Every now and then, when one rhythm shifts to another, the dancer changes the mood by changing his steps.

Aesthetic
Some regard Seungmu as the most beautiful Korean dance, for the mixture of flowing movements and stillness. The dancer's long and white sleeves movements, the serenity of white hood, a breathtaking pause, and then a soul-stirring movement contribute to the singular uniqueness of the seungmu.

Famous performers

As with many of Korea's Intangible National Treasures, Seungmoo has been preserved by Human Cultural Treasures. The performers themselves are considered Intangible National Treasures of Korea. Until recently, this dance was preserved by Master Lee Mae Bang, who died in 2015. Currently the position for next Human Cultural Treasure has yet to be decided by the Korean Government. 
 Lee Mae Bang, National Human Treasure, for Intangible Cultural Asset No. 27 and 97.
 Kim Myo Seon, Master Assistant of Intangible Cultural Asset No. 27.
 Kim Myung Ja, Master Assistant of Intangible Cultural Asset No. 27.
 Han Young-suk, Master of Korean Dance from 1969, including seungmu.

See also
 Korean culture
 Korean Buddhism
 Korean Buddhist temple

References

External links

 Seungmu (Monk Dance)
 Seungmu
 Seungmu : Official Seoul City Tourism
  Info about Seungmu from 서울문화재

Category:Korean dance
Category:Buddhism in Korea
Category:Ritual dances
Category:Important Intangible Cultural Properties of South Korea
Category:Percussion instruments used in worship