Upon discovering a sign reading 'Inhabited Tree' at Andong's Hahoe folk village, my mind wasted little time in conjuring the image of a gnarled and ancient leviathan of gothic proportions, the result of the centuries it had undoubtedly spent dragging its twisted carcass up from the ground against the best efforts of gravity and becoming - on its way - the unorthodox residence of some or other folk. They would probably prove to be shamanistic in nature and may - it would not surprise me - have a penchant for animal sacrifice and other such disagreeable practices.
If you are one of the many who's connection with reality can be spoken of with the omittion of the terms 'tenuous' and 'loose', then it will not surprise you to learn at this point that my expectations were not met on several fronts. The tree (600 years old), did not disappoint but it transpired that its tenant was not a person at all but rather a goddess named Samsin who oversees pregnancy and childbirth. Surrounding the immense trunk stood a rudimentary fence, upon which grew a shaggy white down of paper prayers and wishes (pictured above), left by those who had come to pay homage to its ethereal resident.
