spring scenes

Green barley field and mountains around Hyeonpung 현풍, a county subdivision of Dalseong District. Spring has come to 비슬산, Bisulsan, Mt. Bisul in the middle of the mountain range, too. The ruins of 대견사, Dagyeonsa, a Buddhist temple built during Shilla Kingdom(57 BC∼AD 935)are located somewhere on the ridge of Mt. Bisul . Also somewhere nearby is an old stupa on the top of rock. Two peaks of Mt. Ap just outside of southern Daegu and Mt. Bisul are connected by a long ridge. It usually takes about 8 hours on foot.

There is a large Rhododendron colony on the ridge of Mt. Bisul. Rhododendrons in full bloom in spring season attract hikers from across the nation.

After spring rains, a little tiny violet flower is in blossom on the front garden of the company where lawn grass is maintained regularly. Little green buds are coming out on withered grasses, too. Little sprouts and the bare branches of a persimmon tree also can be seen.

front floor & clay jar

The view of the front floor of Buddhist monk's residence in the temple. Two pairs(white and black) of rubber shoes, a broom and dustpan can be seen. Someone put his shoes face down to dry in the sun.

Many Buddhist monks in Korea usually prefer to wear 고무신, Gomusin, rubber shoes. Gomu means rubber and Sin shoes. Gomusin as simple and cheap rubber shoes had been the most popular shoes among Koreans in the past but now it is not easy to see anyone wearing Gomusin. White and black were the most common colors.

Traditional fermented foods like Kimchi, soybean paste, pepper paste are well stored in jars made of clay for long periods. There used to be jar stands in front or behind garden in almost every Korean houses. Their locations varied depending on where the sunniest spot is in the house. The designs of jars vary in color and size as much as those who make them.

In urban districts, it is getting harder to see clay jars as well as jar stands because of  changes in resident environment.