I earned my first M.A. in English Education in California,
and then my second M.A. in Korean Studies (focusing on
the History of Korean Religions) at the G.S.I.S. of Yonsei
University in Seoul.
Before writing Spirit of the Mountains, I published a few
other books and articles about Korean history, culture
and tourism. In 1988 Modern Hotel English came out, in
1993 I wrote essays as the text for a coffee-table book
entitled KOREA: A Sensory Journey, and in 1987 I was
co-author of the Lonely Planet travel-guide about Korea.
For more details and my several published articles, see
my resume. In late 2005 we published Passage to Korea,
the best "coffee-table souvenir" book on SK available.
and then my second M.A. in Korean Studies (focusing on
the History of Korean Religions) at the G.S.I.S. of Yonsei
University in Seoul.
Before writing Spirit of the Mountains, I published a few
other books and articles about Korean history, culture
and tourism. In 1988 Modern Hotel English came out, in
1993 I wrote essays as the text for a coffee-table book
entitled KOREA: A Sensory Journey, and in 1987 I was
co-author of the Lonely Planet travel-guide about Korea.
For more details and my several published articles, see
my resume. In late 2005 we published Passage to Korea,
the best "coffee-table souvenir" book on SK available.
Me in hat, being a tour-guide at Hwa-eom Monastery
on the southeastern slopes of Jiri-san in May 2001.
on the southeastern slopes of Jiri-san in May 2001.
I spent 7/82-8/83 in Seoul as a back-pack English
teacher, 1986-87 teaching at the college level in &
near Korea's ancient capital Gyeongju (Kyongju),
and 1988-98 as a professor of English Education at
Gangwon National University, in clean & pretty
Chuncheon City out in the mountains east of Seoul.
1999-2000 found me as professor again, at Yonsei
University's Wonju Campus in rural south-western
Gangwon Province. All this time, I kept on with my
research into Korea's ancient-but-still-strong
mountain-worship traditions, which has taken me
traveling to nearly every corner of this country (and
most of China and Southeast Asia, a bit of South
Asia). I remain fascinated by it all, and just keep on
truckin' with a spirit of adventure and service.
teacher, 1986-87 teaching at the college level in &
near Korea's ancient capital Gyeongju (Kyongju),
and 1988-98 as a professor of English Education at
Gangwon National University, in clean & pretty
Chuncheon City out in the mountains east of Seoul.
1999-2000 found me as professor again, at Yonsei
University's Wonju Campus in rural south-western
Gangwon Province. All this time, I kept on with my
research into Korea's ancient-but-still-strong
mountain-worship traditions, which has taken me
traveling to nearly every corner of this country (and
most of China and Southeast Asia, a bit of South
Asia). I remain fascinated by it all, and just keep on
truckin' with a spirit of adventure and service.
Standing next to my friend Myo-bong-seunim, speaking
to the crowd in front of the Central Peak Altar, at the
Kye-ryong-san Mountain-spirit Festival, April 2001.
to the crowd in front of the Central Peak Altar, at the
Kye-ryong-san Mountain-spirit Festival, April 2001.
Then I made a big life-change at the start of 2001, moving
back into the Big City and turning my hobby into a new
career. I currently work as a Tourism & P.R. Consultant
for South Korea's Ministry of Culture and Tourism -- first
for the Visit Korea Years 2001-2002 Project, the 2002
Busan Choir Olympics, the 2002 FIFA World Cup and
Pyeongchang City's bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics;
and 2004-2005 for the Ambassador of Tourism and
Sports, also serving as Communications Director for the
UNWTO ST-EP Foundation headquartes office in Seoul --
I write, edit, arrange, speak and tour-guide for them,
helping out however I can. I have been an English
proofreader for the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism,
an Adjunct Professor [Gyeomin-gyosu] of International
Tourism for the Hanyang University Graduate School,
and have many other involvements. See all their
web-sites for more information. I often serve as an
enthusiastic tour-guide for groups of foreigners to Korea's
most beautiful and interesting areas, and give speeches
on Korean history, culture and current development to
various audiences.
In September 2005, I was appointed full-time Professor of
Tourism Studies by Kyung Hee Daehakgyo [Gyeonghui
University] of Seoul, Department of Tourism, College of
Hotel, Food-Service and Tourism Management. Photos
of my inaugaration ceremony and views of my office
and the lovely campus. I teach interesting courses on
tourism to Korea's cultural-historic and scenic areas.
back into the Big City and turning my hobby into a new
career. I currently work as a Tourism & P.R. Consultant
for South Korea's Ministry of Culture and Tourism -- first
for the Visit Korea Years 2001-2002 Project, the 2002
Busan Choir Olympics, the 2002 FIFA World Cup and
Pyeongchang City's bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics;
and 2004-2005 for the Ambassador of Tourism and
Sports, also serving as Communications Director for the
UNWTO ST-EP Foundation headquartes office in Seoul --
I write, edit, arrange, speak and tour-guide for them,
helping out however I can. I have been an English
proofreader for the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism,
an Adjunct Professor [Gyeomin-gyosu] of International
Tourism for the Hanyang University Graduate School,
and have many other involvements. See all their
web-sites for more information. I often serve as an
enthusiastic tour-guide for groups of foreigners to Korea's
most beautiful and interesting areas, and give speeches
on Korean history, culture and current development to
various audiences.
In September 2005, I was appointed full-time Professor of
Tourism Studies by Kyung Hee Daehakgyo [Gyeonghui
University] of Seoul, Department of Tourism, College of
Hotel, Food-Service and Tourism Management. Photos
of my inaugaration ceremony and views of my office
and the lovely campus. I teach interesting courses on
tourism to Korea's cultural-historic and scenic areas.
| Selling the book near Shinwon-sa, 4/2001. |
I married Lourdes Enojo Mason in June 2000:
All text and photos on this site were taken by
me unless otherwise indicated, and are
Copyright 2001 through 2007 by David A.
Mason. Please do not copy them for other
use without permission and attribution.
I invite you to contact me about this site, or
with any ideas or concerns, at
mntnwolf@yahoo.com
my resume
All text and photos on this site were taken by
me unless otherwise indicated, and are
Copyright 2001 through 2007 by David A.
Mason. Please do not copy them for other
use without permission and attribution.
I invite you to contact me about this site, or
with any ideas or concerns, at
mntnwolf@yahoo.com
my resume
With a ceremonial wine-cup, at the Neo-Confucian Ritual for the
Rooster-Dragon-Mountain-Spirit in 2001. Photo by David Kenat.
Rooster-Dragon-Mountain-Spirit in 2001. Photo by David Kenat.
| Tour-guiding for foreign ambassadors at the Dan-gun Shrine at Taebaek-san in November 2004. |
| Hiking at Cheongnyang-san in 1999 |
| Explaining the wooden dragon-fish and bell of Seoul's Doseon-sa to KyungHee University senior Tourism students in November 2005. |
About David A. Mason:
I grew up in Michigan through the 60's & 70's, and furthered my education in and around San Francisco California
1978-81 and 84-85. This is my 23rd year of living in South Korea, exploring it and writing about its history and
culture. My main passion remains the beautiful Korean mountains. Active worship of the "spirit"s of the grand
peaks is still going on all over the nation, the continuous discovery of which adds a whole new dimension to hiking
that doesn't much happen in the West. Colorful Zen monasteries mark many trail-heads, old hermitages filled with
unique art and friendly monks are found along the trails, peaks have sacred names and shamans invoking the
spirits are stumbled across on the high cliffs or at spring-water sources... I enjoy living here.
I grew up in Michigan through the 60's & 70's, and furthered my education in and around San Francisco California
1978-81 and 84-85. This is my 23rd year of living in South Korea, exploring it and writing about its history and
culture. My main passion remains the beautiful Korean mountains. Active worship of the "spirit"s of the grand
peaks is still going on all over the nation, the continuous discovery of which adds a whole new dimension to hiking
that doesn't much happen in the West. Colorful Zen monasteries mark many trail-heads, old hermitages filled with
unique art and friendly monks are found along the trails, peaks have sacred names and shamans invoking the
spirits are stumbled across on the high cliffs or at spring-water sources... I enjoy living here.
on Jindo Island,
November 2002
November 2002
I was appointed by the Mayor of Gangbuk-gu to its
Advisory Commission in 11/07, and as its P.R.
Ambassador of Samgak-san in 2/08. I serve on the
managing boards of the Royal Asiatic Society - Korea
and the Korean Society for Shamanic Spirit Studies.
Advisory Commission in 11/07, and as its P.R.
Ambassador of Samgak-san in 2/08. I serve on the
managing boards of the Royal Asiatic Society - Korea
and the Korean Society for Shamanic Spirit Studies.