Eunpyeong District Holds Ceremony for Designation of "Seoul Geumseongdang Mushingdo" as National Folk Cultural Heritage

Second National Folk Cultural Heritage Following Geumseongdang

Eunpyeong District in Seoul (Mayor Kim Mikyung) has had the "Seoul Geumseongdang Mushindo"—a collection held by the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum—designated as a National Folk Cultural Heritage. With this, Eunpyeong District now possesses two National Folk Cultural Heritages, following the designation of "Seoul Geumseongdang" in 2008.

Yoon Soonho, Director of Cultural Heritage at the National Heritage Administration (left), and Kim Mikyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District Office (right), attended the "Seoul Geumseongdang Musindo National Folklore Cultural Heritage Designation Certificate Ceremony" held at Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum on the 10th. Provided by Eunpyeong District Office.

The district announced on September 11 that it had held the certificate presentation ceremony together with the Cultural Heritage Administration on September 10 at the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum. The event was attended by Kim Mikyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District, Yoon Sunho, Director of the Cultural Heritage Bureau at the Cultural Heritage Administration, and the Director of the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum, who discussed preservation and utilization plans. The eight pieces that make up the "Seoul Geumseongdang Mushindo" were officially designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage in June 2026 after going through the relevant processes of the Cultural Heritage Administration.

The "Seoul Geumseongdang Mushindo" is a collection of shamanistic paintings that were enshrined at the "Seoul Geumseongdang," a shrine dedicated to both Geumseong Daewang, the mountain god of Mt. Geumseong in Naju, and Prince Geumseong, the sixth son of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty. The paintings depict various deities associated with fortune, disease, longevity, and blessings—including the Blind Taoist Priest, Blind Grandmother Samsin, Byeolsang, Grandmother of the Three Buddhas, Lady Hogu, Middle Buddha, Changbu Clown, and Malt Surname Spirit.

These Mushindo serve as important materials illustrating 19th-century shamanistic beliefs in the Seoul and Gyeonggi region. The Cultural Heritage Administration recognized their rarity, form, and artistic value. The Mushindo were originally kept at the Seoul Museum of History during the development of Eunpyeong New Town in 2005, after which they were donated by the original owner and officially transferred to the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum in November 2024.

The district continues to preserve traditional religious culture by annually holding the "Geumseongdangje" ritual centered around the "Seoul Geumseongdang." Recently, interest in the heritage has grown following the success of the movie "The Man Who Lives With the King," which features the story of Prince Geumseong.

Mayor Kim Mikyung stated, "Seoul Geumseongdang and the Mushindo are precious assets of everyday culture cherished by Eunpyeong. With this new designation, we will systematically preserve our cultural heritage and share it with local residents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.