Showing posts with label 삼국유사. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 삼국유사. Show all posts

2023-09-26

알라딘: 삼국유사 현실과 환상이 만나고 다투다가 하나 되는 무대 2022 일연 (지은이), 서철원 (옮긴이)

알라딘: 삼국유사




삼국유사 
현실과 환상이 만나고 다투다가 하나 되는 무대

일연 (지은이), 서철원 (옮긴이) arte(아르테) -11-08
정가28,000원
전자책22,400원 


9.7
100자평 9편
리뷰 31편
세일즈포인트 138
양장본
440쪽

삼국유사(三國遺事) - 한국민족문화대백과사전

삼국유사(三國遺事) - 한국민족문화대백과사전

삼국유사 (三國遺事)
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URL 복사페이스북 공유트위터 공유
삼국유사 권4~5
삼국유사 권4~5
불교 문헌 고려후기 승려 일연이 고조선에서부터 후삼국까지의 유사(遺事)를 모아 편찬한 역사서.
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내용 요약
음성 재생
『삼국유사』는 고려후기 승려 일연이 고조선에서부터 후삼국까지의 유사를 모아 편찬한 역사서이다. 총 5권 2책이다. 권의 구분과는 별도로 왕력·기이·흥법·탑상·의해·신주·감통·피은·효선 등 9편목으로 구성되어 있는데 이러한 체제는 저자의 관심을 끈 자료들을 선택적으로 수집·분류한 자유롭고 독특한 형식의 역사서이다. 유교적 역사인식과 서술태도와는 다르게 신이한 역사 이야기와 그 전거를 밝히고 고대 사료의 원형을 전달함으로써 사료적 가치가 매우 높다. 총체적인 문화유산의 원천적 보고로 평가되며, 한국 고대어 연구와 불교미술 연구를 위한 중요한 문헌이기도 하다.

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정의
고려후기 승려 일연이 고조선에서부터 후삼국까지의 유사(遺事)를 모아 편찬한 역사서.
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판본 및 서지사항
5권. 목판본.

일연(1206 ~ 1289)이 이 책의 저술을 위하여 사료를 수집한 것은 청년시절부터였고, 그 원고의 집필은 대개 70대 후반으로부터 84세로 죽기까지 주로 만년에 이루어졌다.

저자 일연에 의한 초간본의 간행 여부는 분명하지 않다. 제자 무극(無極)이 1310년대에 『삼국유사』를 간행하였는데, 이때 그가 첨가한 기록이 두 곳에 있다. ‘무극기(無極記)’라고 표한 것이 그것이다. 무극의 간행이 초간인지 중간인지 분명하지 않다.

조선 초기에도 『삼국유사』의 간행이 행하여진 것으로 여겨지는 이유는, 이 시기 고판본의 인본(印本)인 석남본(石南本)과 송은본(松隱本)이 현존하기 때문이다. 1965년 보물 지정 이후, 2003년 국보로 지정된 송은본은 현재 곽영대(郭永大)가 소장하고 있다. 이 본은 3 · 4 · 5권만 있는데, 권3의 첫 6장까지와 권5의 끝부분 4장이 없는 잔본이다.

석남본은 1940년부터 송석하(宋錫夏)가 소장하였던 것으로 왕력(王歷)과 제1권만 남은 잔본으로 소장처가 알려지지 않고 있다. 석남본 및 송은본을 모사한 필사본이 고려대학교 중앙도서관에 소장되어 있는데, 이는 1940년 이후 몇 년 사이에 이루어진 것이다.

1512년(중종 7) 경주부윤 이계복(李繼福)이 중간한 『삼국유사』는 중종임신본(中宗壬申本) 또는 정덕본(正德本)이라고 한다. 이 본의 권말에는 중간 경위를 밝힌 이계복의 발문이 붙어 있다. 이 발문에 의하면, 당시 경주부에는 옛 책판(冊板)이 보관되어 있었지만, 1행 중 겨우 4, 5자를 판독할 수 있을 정도로 마멸이 심하였다. 이계복은 완전한 인본을 구해서 책판을 개간하였다.

발문에는 당시에 전 책판을 개간한 것처럼 되어 있지만, 전체 책판 290매 중 약 40매는 구각판(舊刻板)을 그대로 사용하고, 나머지는 다시 새겼다. 다시 새긴 판에 각자(刻字)의 양식이 다른 것들이 많음은 각 고을에 나누어 새긴 탓이기도 하고, 개각판은 번각(飜刻)과 필서보각(筆書補刻)의 두 가지 방법이 사용되었기 때문이기도 하다. 교정을 담당하였던 최기동(崔起潼) · 이산보(李山甫)의 교정능력이 의심스럽다.

이계복이 중간한 책판은 19세기 중반까지 경주부에 보존되었지만, 전하지 않는다. 중종임신본을 인행(印行)한 몇 종의 간행본이 현재 국내외에 전한다. 5권이 갖추어진 완본인 순암수택본(順庵手澤本)은 이계복이 판각한 뒤 32년 이내에 인출된 것인데, 훗날 순암 안정복(安鼎福)이 소장하면서 가필을 하였기에 수택본이라 불린다. 이 본은 이마니시[今西龍]가 1916년부터 소장하였는데(일인들은 흔히 今西本이라 칭한다), 일본의 덴리대학[天理大學] 도서관의 귀중본으로 소장되어 있다.

서울대학교본은 완본이지만 약간의 가필이 있다. 고려대학교 중앙도서관본은 초기의 임신고인본으로 평가되고 가필과 가획이 없어 원형에 가까운 귀중본이다. 이 밖에도 중종임신본은 몇 가지 더 전한다.

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내용
『삼국유사』는 전체 5권 2책으로 되어 있고, 권과는 별도로 왕력(王歷) · 기이(紀異) · 흥법(興法) · 탑상(塔像) · 의해(義解) · 신주(神呪) · 감통(感通) · 피은(避隱) · 효선(孝善) 등 9편목으로 구성되어 있다. 왕력은 삼국 · 가락국 · 후고구려 · 후백제 등의 간략한 연표이다. 기이편은 고조선으로부터 후삼국까지의 단편적인 역사를 57항목으로 서술하였는데, 권1 · 2에 계속된다. 기이편의 서두에는 이 편을 설정하는 연유를 밝힌 서(敍)가 붙어 있다.

흥법편에는 삼국의 불교수용과 그 융성에 관한 6항목, 탑상편에는 탑과 불상에 관한 사실 31항목, 의해편에는 원광서학조(圓光西學條)를 비롯한 신라의 고승들에 대한 전기를 중심으로 하는 14항목, 신주편에는 신라의 밀교적 신이승(神異僧)들에 대한 3항목, 감통편에는 신앙의 영이감응(靈異感應)에 관한 10항목, 피은편에는 초탈고일(超脫高逸)한 인물의 행적 10항목, 효선편에는 부모에 대한 효도와 불교적인 선행에 대한 미담 5항목을 각각 수록하였다.

이처럼 5권 9편 144항목으로 구성된 『삼국유사』의 체재는 『삼국사기』나 『해동고승전』과는 다른 특징이 있다. 중국의 세 가지 고승전(高僧傳)의 영향을 받았지만, 이것과도 다른 체재이다. 『삼국유사』가 고려 후기의 전적에 인용된 예는 아직 발견되지 않고 있다. 그러나 조선 초기 이후에 이루어진 여러 문헌에서는 이 책의 인용이 확인된다. 조선 초기 이후 이 책이 두루 유포되어 참고되었음을 알 수 있다.

물론, 이 책에 대한 평가는 『동국여지승람』으로부터 『동사강목』에 이르기까지 허황하여 믿기 어렵다는 부정적인 평가로 일관되었다. 부정적인 평가에도 불구하고 이 책은 조선 초기 이후의 많은 역사책에 인용되었고 영향을 주었다. 최근 이 책에 대한 새로운 인식이 대두되면서 그 간행과 유통 또한 활발해졌다.

현재 간행, 유포되고 있는 『삼국유사』는 여러 종류로 영인본 · 활판본 · 번역본 등이 있다. 1926년 순암수택본을 축소, 영인하여 교토제국대학[京都帝國大學] 문학부총서 제6으로 간행하였고, 고전간행회에서 1932년 순암수택본을 원래의 크기로 영인, 한장본 2책으로 간행하였다. 1964년 일본의 가쿠슈원동양문화연구소[學習院東洋文化硏究所]에서 고전간행회영인본을 축소, 재영인하기도 하였다.

민족문화추진회에서는 1973년 서울대학교 소장본을 반으로 축소, 영인하였는데, 이동환(李東歡)의 교감을 두주(頭註)로 붙이고, 「균여전(均如傳)」 및 「황룡사구층탑찰주본기」를 부록으로 덧붙인 양장본이다. 고려대학교 중앙도서관에서 1983년 만송문고본(晩松文庫本)을 축소, 영인하였다. 부록으로 고려대학교 중앙도서관소장 필사본, 즉 석남본 및 송은본의 모사본을 영인하여 수록하였다.

활자본으로는 동대본(東大本, 東京帝國大學 문학부, 1904) · 속장경본(續藏經本, 동대본을 정정하여 속장경 지나찬술부 사전부에 수록) · 계명본(啓明本, 崔南善 교정, 啓明 제18호, 1927) · 신증본(新增本, 최남선, 三中堂, 1943 · 1946) · 증보본(增補本, 민중서관, 1954) · 대정신수대장경본(大正新修大藏經本, 1927) · 조선사학회본(1928) · 한국불교전서본(韓國佛敎全書本, 동국대학교 출판부, 한국불교전서 제6책에 수록, 1984) 등이 있다.

『삼국유사』의 번역본으로는 국역본 · 일역본 · 영역본 등이 있다. 국역본으로는 사서연역회번역본(고려문화사, 1946) · 『완역삼국유사』(고전연역회 이종렬 책임번역, 학우사, 1954) · 『원문병역주삼국유사』(李丙燾 譯, 동국문화사, 1956) · 수정판『역주병원문삼국유사』(이병도 역주, 廣曺出版社, 1977) · 한국명저대전집본(이병도 역, 大洋書籍, 1972) · 조선과학원번역본(북한에서 1960년 번역) · 세계고전전집본(李載浩 譯註, 광문출판사, 1967) · 세계사상교양전집본(李民樹 譯, 乙酉文化社, 1975) · 권상로역해본(權相老 譯解本, 東西文化社, 1978) · 성은구역주본(成殷九 譯註本, 전남대학교 출판부, 1981) · 『역해삼국유사』(박성봉 · 고경식 역, 서문문화사, 1985) · 삼중당문고본(李東歡 역주, 1975) · 삼성문화문고본(이민수 역, 1979) 등이 있다.

일어 번역본으로는, 『원문화역대조삼국유사(原文和譯對三國遺事)』 · 초역삼국유사 · 국역일체경본 · 임영수(林英樹) 역본 · 『완역삼국유사』(金思燁 역, 朝日新聞社, 1979) 등이 있다. 1972년 연세대학교에서 영역본 삼국유사를 간행하였다.

『삼국유사』의 주석서로는 미지나[三品彰英]의 『삼국유사고증』 상 · 중 2책이 있다. 색인으로는 이홍직(李弘稙)이 『역사학보』 5집에 발표한 것과 한국정신문화연구원에서 간행한 『삼국유사색인』이 있다. 이홍직이 작성한 것은 최남선의 『증보삼국유사』의 부록으로 소개되기도 하였고, 한국정신문화연구원이 작성한 색인은 주제별 및 가나다 색인이다.

『삼국유사』의 체재는 정사(正史)인 『삼국사기』와 다를 뿐 아니라 불교사서인 『해동고승전』과도 다르다. 이 책의 체재를 10과(科)로 분류한 중국의 세 가지 고승전의 경우와 비슷한 듯하지만, 왕력 · 기이 · 효선 등 중국 고승전의 선례와 다른 것도 있다. 『삼국유사』는 삼국의 역사 전반에 관한 사서로 편찬된 것은 아니다. 또한, 삼국의 불교사 전반을 포괄하지도 못하였다. 저자의 관심을 끈 자료들을 선택적으로 수집, 분류한 자유로운 형식의 역사서이다.

이 책의 성격에 대해서도, 불교사서, 설화집성집, 불교신앙을 포함하는 역사에 관한 문헌, 잡록적 사서, 야사 등 많은 견해들이 있다. 이 책의 내용에는 불교사적인 것이 많지만, 순수한 불교사서로 보기는 어려우며, 많은 설화를 수록하고는 있지만, 간단히 설화집으로 평가하기도 어렵다. 저자가 서명(書名)을 통하여 밝히고 있듯이, 『삼국유사』는 사가의 기록에서 빠졌거나 자세히 드러나지 않은 것을 드러내어 표현한 것이다.

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의의와 평가
이 사서가 정사가 아니라고 해서 만록(漫錄) 정도로 취급하기는 어렵다. 이 책에는 저자의 각고의 노력과 강한 역사의식이 스며 있다고 평가되기 때문이다. 『삼국유사』의 두드러진 특징으로 신이(神異)한 사화(史話)가 많음이 흔히 지적된다. 이는 역사에 반영된 신이가 하등 기이할 것이 없다는 일연의 역사인식과 많은 사료를 수집, 전거를 밝혀 인용하고 고대사료의 원형 전달을 도모한 역사서술방법에 기인하는 것이다. 이 같은 일연의 역사인식과 서술태도는 유교적 역사관과는 구별되는 것이다.

『삼국유사』의 사학사적인 위치에 대해서, 『삼국사기』에 비하여 복고적이라거나 진보적이라는 상반된 견해도 있다. 찬술동기나 서술체재가 서로 다른 두 사서의 직접적인 비교는 바람직하지 않고, 또 『삼국유사』의 역사서술 방법론에 대한 분석이 뒤따라야 한다는 지적도 있다.

오늘날 『삼국유사』는 한국고대의 역사 · 지리 · 문학 · 종교 · 언어 · 민속 · 사상 · 미술 · 고고학 등 총체적인 문화유산의 원천적 보고로 평가되고 있다. 이 책에는 역사 · 불교 · 설화 등에 관한 서적과 문집류, 고기(古記) · 사지(寺誌) · 비갈(碑喝) · 안첩(按牒) 등의 고문적(古文籍)에 이르는 많은 문헌이 인용되었다. 특히, 지금은 전하지 않는 문헌들이 많이 인용되었기에 더 중요한 의미를 가진다.

『삼국유사』는 신화와 설화의 보고이다. 또한, 차자표기(借字表記)로 된 자료인 향가, 서기체(誓記體)의 기록, 이두(吏讀)로 된 비문류, 전적에 전하는 지명 및 인명의 표기 등은 한국고대어 연구의 귀한 자료가 된다. 이 책이 전해준 우리 민족의 문화유산 중 최대로 꼽히는 것의 하나는 향가이다. 14수의 향가는 우리 나라 고대문학연구의 값진 자료이다.

『삼국유사』는 또한 한국고대미술의 주류인 불교미술연구를 위한 가장 오래된 중요한 문헌이기도 하다. 탑상편의 기사는 탑 · 불상 · 사원건축 등에 관한 중요한 자료를 싣고 있다. 이 책은 역사고고학의 대상이 되는 유물 · 유적, 특히 불교의 유물 · 유적을 조사 · 연구함에 있어서 기본적인 문헌으로 꼽힌다.

『삼국유사』는 풍류도(風流道)를 수행하던 화랑과 낭도들에 관한 자료를 상당히 전해주고 있다. 이 자료들은 종교적이고 풍류적인 성격을 많이 내포하고 있어서 주목된다. 『삼국사기』 화랑관계 기사와는 다른 특징이 있기 때문이다. 그리고 『삼국유사』에는 저자 일연의 찬(讚)이 있어 그의 시문학이나 역사인식을 엿볼 수 있다.

『삼국유사』가 가지고 있는 문제도 적지 않다. 이 책의 체재, 즉 권차(卷次) · 편목(篇目) · 항목 등에는 약간의 혼란이 있다. 본문 또한 오자(誤字) · 탈자(脫字) · 궐자(厥字) · 중문(重文) · 혼효(混淆)주1 · 전도(顚倒) 등으로 인한 변화도 있다. 정밀한 교감이 요구된다. 고대사료가 가진 애매성이나 신이한 설화의 문제도 있다. 역사 · 문학 · 종교 등 종합적인 연구와 자세한 주석이 필요하다.

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참고문헌
『삼국유사의 신연구』(신라문화선양회, 1980)
『삼국유사의 연구』(동북아세아연구회, 중앙출판, 1982)
『삼국유사연구』상(민족문화연구소, 영남대학교 출판부, 1983)
『삼국유사연구논선집』Ⅰ(백산자료원, 1986)
『삼국유사의 종합적검토』(한국정신문화연구원, 1987)
접기/펼치기
주석
주1
여러 가지 것을 뒤섞음. 또는 여러 가지 것이 뒤섞임.    우리말샘

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관련 항목
일연 불교 인물 고려후기 『화록)』, 『게송잡저』, 『삼국유사』 등을 저술한 승려.
무극 유교 개념 성리학에서 궁극자의 무형적 측면을 가리키는 유교용어. 성리학용어.
삼국유사 출판 문헌 국가지정문화재 고려후기 승려 일연이 신라 · 고구려 · 백제의 유사를 서술한 역사서.
이계복 조선시대사 인물 조선 전기에, 통정대부, 첨지중추부사, 동지중추부사 등을 역임한 문신.
안정복 조선시대사 인물 조선후기 「치통도」, 「동사강목」, 「천학문답」 등을 저술한 학자. 실학자.
고조선 고대사 지명 한국사에서 처음으로 등장한 국가.
삼국사기 고대사 문헌 1145년경에 김부식 등이 고려 인종의 명을 받아 편찬한 삼국시대의 역사서.
더보기
접기/펼치기
관련 미디어
(4)
삼국유사 권4~5
삼국유사 권4~5
삼국유사 권4~5
삼국유사 권4~5
삼국유사 권4~5
삼국유사 권4~5
삼국유사 권4~5
삼국유사 권4~

Samguk yusa - Wikipedia

Samguk yusa - Wikipedia

Samguk yusa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Samguk yusa
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSamguk yusa
McCune–ReischauerSamguk yusa

Samguk yusa (Korean삼국유사Korean pronunciation: [sʰam.ɡuk̚.ju.sa]) or Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms is a collection of legends, folktales and historical accounts relating to the Three Kingdoms of Korea (GoguryeoBaekje, and Silla), as well as to other periods and states before, during and after the Three Kingdoms period. "Samguk yusa is a historical record compiled by the Buddhist monk Il-yeon in 1281 (the 7th year of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo) in the late Goryeo Dynasty."[1] It is the earliest extant record of the Dangun legend, which records the founding of Gojoseon as the first Korean nation. The Samguk yusa is National Treasure No. 306.[2]

Samguk yusa is a history book which is composed of five volumes in total and is divided into nine parts within the five volumes.[3] The Samguk yusa documents various tales and legends which are categorized into two parts: historical events and Buddhist narratives.[4] The text contains various historical narratives such as tales of the Three Kingdoms period, myths, legends, genealogies, histories, and Buddhist tales, which have helped maintain folklore from medieval Korea.[5][6] "Yusa" is a term used to describe a text that is supplementary to an earlier work. Samguk yusa is intended to provide additional information to texts such as the Samguk Sagi.[6] The beginning of Samguk yusa describes Dangun Wanggeom, who is a mythological ancestor of all Koreans, founding the first nation of Korea, named Gojoseon. The text also contains several well known tales such as Choshin's Dream and Lady Suro.

Background[edit]

Sanguk yusa, was written in the Ingak Temple in the 13th century.[7] The author, Il-yeon, became a monk at the age of eight in 1214, working as an abbot in various temples, attending royal conferences at the king's command, and hosting important Buddhist events until his death in 1289.[6] The book was written during the Mongol conquest of Europe and East Asia, including China and Korea. They invaded Korea for the first time in 1231, and it brought a devastating blow to the lives of Koreans by destroying valuable cultural properties, recordings, and literature.[5] This invasion motivated Il-yeon to protect all of the folklore and stories handed down. Il-yeon collected and analyzed many works of Korean culture for a long period of time prior to the writing of Samguk yusa.[6] Il-yeon, who died in the temple after the completion of Samguk yusa, was known for caring for commoners who suffered under Mongolian rule during the end of the Goryeo period. Furthermore, Il-yeon refused the highest position of the Kingdom's Priest in order to care for his aging mother.[7] The Korean peninsula was not yet united when the Samguk yusa was composed, so one of the Samguk yusa myths, Dangun, which is regarded as the root of all Koreans, has long been believed to have contributed to the idea of "one blood, one nation" among Koreans, as well as helped themselves to be characterized as a "common blood race".[8] However, there is also criticism that the sense of one blood could lead to not only marginalizing those who are not regarded as "genuinely Korean," but also restricting the different ways that people could consider themselves Korean by eliminating diverse and possible viewpoints that are not rooted in this conservative mythology.[8] In order to honor and pass down Il-yeon's achievements and life, the Inagak temple holds annual festivals such as the Cultural Festival of Il-yeon Samguk Yusa under the assistance of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the festival activities include an academic seminar for academics, a writing contest for poems or essays, and poem recitation.[7]

Contents[edit]

The Goryeo Dynasty in the middle of the 14th century

Samguk yusa consists of a total of five volumes and two books, and apart from the volume, it consists of nine books, including Wangryeok, Gii, Heungbeop, Tapsang, Uihae, Sinju, Gamtong, Pieun, and Hyo-seon.[6] Wangnyeok is a brief chronology of the Three Kingdoms, Garakguk, Later Goguryeo, and Later Baekje. Gii contains the archive from Gojoseon to the late Three Kingdoms Period. The purpose of Gii is written at the beginning of the passage. Heungbeop is about the rise of Buddhism in the Three Kingdoms, and Tapsang includes pagodas and Buddhist images. Uihae contains narratives of famous monks during the Silla period. Sinju includes the tales about miracles that happened through esoteric Buddhism during the Silla dynasty. Gamtong is about stories of devotion. Pieun contains the legends of solitary heroes. Hyoseon contains folktales of filial piety and Buddhist virtues. Although it is divided into many parts, the composition of the entire book can be briefly described below:

VolumePartTheme
Volume 1Part 1Records of the Kings, Records of Great Wonders 1 (The Founding of the Kingdoms)
Volume 2Part 2Records of Great Wonders 2 (United Silla)
Volume 3Part 3Rise of Buddhism
Volume 3Part 4Pagodas and Buddhist Images
Volume 4Part 5V. Anecdotes of Renowned Monks
Volume 5Part 6Tales of Divination and miracles
Volume 5Part 7Emotional Tales of Devotion
Volume 5Part 8Seclusion
Volume 5Part 9Stories of Filial Piety

Authorship and dating[edit]

Il-yeon, the author of Samguk Yusa.

The text was written in Classical Chinese, which was used by literate Koreans at the time of its composition. The earliest version of the text is believed to have been compiled in the 1280s, and the earliest extant publication of the text is from 1512 CE.[9]

20th-century Korean scholars such as Choe Nam-seon established the Buddhist monk Il-yeon (1206–1289) as the main compiler of the text, on the basis that his name (and full official title) was indicated in the fifth fascicle. This view is widely accepted among modern scholars.[10] The compilation is believed to have been expanded by Iryeon's disciple Muguk (1250-1322) and several others prior to the definitive 1512 recension.[11]

Ha Chongnyong and Yi Kunjik produced a critical edition of Samguk yusa in 1997. According to Ha Chongnyong, Iryeon wrote only the fifth fascicle, since his name is mentioned only in that section of the text.[11]

The 1512 edition of the text mentions a dynastic chronology at the beginning, which has several discrepancies with the information that appears later in the text. According to Robert Buswell, Jr. and Donald S. Lopez, Jr., this chronology may have been a fourteenth-century addition to Iryeon's compilation.[12]

National heritage[edit]

Gojoseon Tangun-Wanggeom Statue

Importance as the national treasure

“Samguk yusa is considered as an extremely important cultural heritage representing ancient Korean history, geography, literature, religion, language, folklore, art, archeology, etc.[1]” The Samguk Yusa mostly includes ancient literary works about history, Buddhism, and legends, most of which does not exist in the recent age. Moreover, it is one of the limited sources for the study of ancient Korean language systems. Especially, 14 pieces of hyangga (ancient Korean folk songs) are an essential part of a study in classical Korean literature. Moreover, the writer, Iryon uses different styles of writing including ones from the Sinitic Buddhist Culture.[13] The book also includes plenty of information on Buddhist art, the dominant type of art in ancient Korean art history. “The Tapsang section, in particular, mainly focuses on the founding of pagodas, Buddhist images and temples, is an essential source for the study of various remains and relics of both historical and archeological value.[1] Lastly, the book includes various written records about young soldiers during the Silla Dynasty.

Comparison with Samguk sagi[edit]

Silla Image

Samguk sagi and Samguk yusa are often compared in terms of Korean history books, both holding a prominent place in Korean history. In terms of similarity, both of them were written by Koryo scholars who believed they were descended from not Koguryo but Silla.[14] So, this contributed to the main focus of both Samguk yusa and Samguk sagi to emphasize the history of Silla. However, in contrast, they have some differences. Firstly, while the author of Samguk yusa was a devoted Buddhist monk, Samguk sagi was written by a Confucian scholar-statesman, Kim Pu-shik, allowing readers to access the two different historical works according to the perspectives of the Buddhist or Confucian official.[14]

According to the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, "the book contains a wide range of records about young soldiers of the Silla Period, which are more religious and poetical than those written in Samguk sagi."[1] On the other hand, studies have found that “Samguk Sagi was almost immediately accepted as one of the most definitive histories of its time and within several decades was read even in China."[15] Therefore, it can be considered that even though the Samguk yusa was written a century later, Iryon considerably relied on the Samguk sagi. Moreover, the Samguk yusa contains the historical elements not found in the Samguk sagi. Since it is also the same in reserve, it is found that the two works complement each other.[16]

Kim Pu-shik attempted a more rational and logical approach towards the historical writings, whereas the romantic Buddhism approach of Samguk yusa of the Koryo dynasty allowed the readers to experience the old historical cultures such as superstitions, folklore, and mythical stories.[4] Both of the historical books are also generally focused on certain backgrounds in terms of religion. Despite Samguk sagi's reasonable writing, nationalist historians and scholars refer to it as a Chinese Confucian-centered book, arguing that it instils a subordinate attitude(Sadae) with the ancient tradition ignored.[15] In contrast, in the case of Samguk yusa, the majority of the text is dedicated to Buddhism, which was tailored to the Korean style under the Buddhist author's influence with the only occasion when Confucianism is witnessed is Part 9 which expresses filial piety as a way of Buddhism.[6] Naturally, the contents of Samguk yusa could not help being influenced more greatly by Il-yeon’s Buddhist value than Samguk sagi. Il-yeon's work provides four bizarre stories depicting the discovery of archaeological artifacts to demonstrate the existence of Buddhism in the pre-modern era, the time of the tale's telling.[17] Turning to the statistics, the writings of Samguk Yusa consist of Buddhist stories, including both the principles of Buddhism and various Buddhist monks, accounting for approximately forty-nine percent (49.5%) of the total.[6] In terms of adequate factual delivery, Samguk Yusa conveys relatively insufficient historical information, such as about the explanation of Kwallogup (officials' land) and Sigup (the land for producing food), which are well described in Samguk sagi in detail.[18] Nonetheless, the Samguk yusa and Samguk sagi are mutually regarded as complementary regarding uncompleted ancient recordings among Koreans today.

Historical reliability[edit]

Many of the founding legends of the various kingdoms in Korean history are recorded in Samguk yusa. The text covers legends from many Korean kingdoms, including GojoseonWiman JoseonBuyeoGoguryeoBaekjeSilla, and Gaya. Unlike the more factually-oriented Samguk sagi, the Samguk yusa focuses on various folktales, legends and biographies from early Korean history. Given its mythical narratives, Samguk yusa's reliability is questionable.[11]

The author attempted to keep original phrases drawn from various sources, including Chinese Buddhist literature, Korean historical literature, and languages written in epigraphy, and he sometimes omitted unnecessary phrases or paraphrased several expressions with the intention of integrating them into the whole story.[19] In terms of Il-yeon’s research approach, Il-yeon regarded the quality and quantity of the resources as crucial elements for his work, used the "inserted textual commentary" in order to seriously evaluate his resources, allowed the readers to access comparative information about the history, and even expressed concerns about the reliability when there was insufficient information to depict.[6] Besides, Il-yeon attempted to use various versions of the same story when he recorded folktales and myths. For instance, when Il-yeon recorded the story of Tangun at the beginning of the book, he exactly added the comments that the Tangun story was quoted from both the Wei-shu [Wei Dyansty History] and Tangun Kogi [Ancient Record of Tangun].[6] This comment is valuable as both of the history books are not accessible now. The inscription of Samguk Yusa is also a relatively credible source, but its contents are mainly confined to the mobilization of the peasantry for dike construction and the description of land property for the temple.[18] There is scepticism surrounding this history book as well. It was not able to precisely interpret and explain the detailed picture of Silla itself as this book was written in the Koryo period, during which a lot of time had passed from the three kingdoms period. The stories of the other nations of the three-kingdom period "Koguryo" and Paekche" are excluded, making up the overwhelming bulk of the Silla stories, especially the stories that came from Korea's south-eastern region, "Kyngsang," known as Il-yeon's place of birth.[6] With regard to religion, Confucianism, which greatly influenced the behaviour of East Asians, including China and Korea, was marginally dealt with in the Buddhism-dominant Samguk yusa tales as a subjugated religion.[17][6] For example, in the Tale of the Monk Chinjong, Chinjong's filial reasons for not wanting to enter the monastic life are countered by his mother, and this reflects that the monastic life would be regarded as even more filial behaviour than ignoring the filial piety.[17] Furthermore, the book is quite biased in terms of providing an unbiased description of the social stratum. The aristocracy and members of the upper class constitute over half of the total number of narrative protagonists, with the figures correlated with Buddhist monks or nuns making up approximately twenty-five percent, and commoners only making up around eight percent of the contexts.[6] It can be clarified that the Samguk yusa chiefly handled the stories of the upper class of Silla instead of the ordinary people. Although the readers who have the purpose of understanding the entire history have to merely rely on the resources that he chose to insert in the Samguk yusa, it is recommended as a worthwhile read for the purpose of comprehending the overall landscape of Silla.[19]

Influences on Korean Buddhism tradition[edit]

Chomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju

The three Kingdom periods in Samguk yusa is the age of the start of various institutions, teachings, religious practices, and cults.[20] The tales are both descriptive and prescriptive because they have been the source of the Korean Buddhist tradition to the present day as the birth of the tradition is described in the book. The places which are mentioned in the book are important religious points in current South Korea also. “The naming of mountains in Samguk Yusa connects Korea with China and India and symbolically recreates the actual sacred places of Buddhism in Korea.[20]” Most of the stories in Samguk yusa included a common topos, when temples and statues’ remains are found and disclosed on key locations such as mountains. This can be described as a form of hierophany and the religious key places of Silla included those locations. Moreover, Iryon introduces Republic of Korea as a country with the best karmic attributes in the whole universe for building a huge statue of the Buddha, even more fitting than India, which is the home of Buddhism. The story in Samguk Yusa enlists ten thousand of Buddhas and bodhisattvas changing themselves at the apex of the different mountains. Moreover, this story introduces Korea as a country with the best karmic conditions in the world for building a large statue of the Buddha, even more suitable than India, the home of Buddhism. The mountains were later changed into one large religious area including of multiple temples and shrines. Each of the locations was devoted to certain buddhas and bodhisattvas and were used for the ritual practices to be performed.[20]

Legends and tales[edit]

The text covers a wide range of subjects, including geography, literature, religion, art, and folklore, as well as ancient history. The stories naturally came from the Goryeo people's lives under the extreme suffering in the Mongol-dominant era in order to strengthen both their identity as a nation and as descendants of a common ancestor.[7] Among them, there are representative stories.

Lady Suro[edit]

When Soon Jeong-gong had lunch at Imhaejeong Pavilion while taking office as Gangneung Taesu during King Seongdeok's reign, Soon Jeong's wife, lady Suro saw that the royal azalea flowers were in full bloom asked people around her to pick those flowers and an old man who was walking along the street with a cow listened to his wife, picked the flower to her.[5] After this, a dragon suddenly appeared from the sea, dragged Soon Jeong's wife, Lady Suro, into the sea and an old man appeared suddenly and said, "If you gather the people and sing a song and hit the river hill with a cane, you will be able to meet your wife."[5] Her husband did as the old man said and the dragon really brought his wife out and sent her in front of them.[5] This story portrays Lady Suro's unparalleled beauty that the water souls cannot ignore.

Choshin's Dream[edit]

A monk who adores Kim Nang-Ja enthusiastically begged Gwaneum Bodhisattva to realise love with her. However, one day, he heard that she had married.[21] Choshin fell asleep resenting the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, but when Kim Nang-ja came at night and asked to have a relationship, he went to his hometown together with joy and lived for more than 40 years.[21] In the meantime, he had five children, but he was poor and wandered around. His 15-year-old child starved to death while passing through Haehyeonryeong Pass in Myeongju, but he failed to hold a funeral.[14] When Kim Nang-ja says, "Let's break up with each other rather than continue the miserable life as it is," Choshin agrees and awakes from his dream while trying to leave the road after sharing the children with each other.[21] After experiencing a miserable life of poverty and bareness in a dream, he realizes how vain human life is.[14]

Collections[edit]

Photo of Samguk Yusa Kyujanggak Collection

Kyujanggak Collection[edit]

It is owned by Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies. This book is known as the earliest edition of Samguk Yusa. It is the only book without missing pages and is complete out of all the Samguk yusa books published in Gyeongju in 1512 (the 7th year of King Jungjong).[1] This edition is most used by academic scholars in research.

Beomeosa Temple Collection[edit]

The Beomeosa Samguk yusa (one book composed of volumes 4 and 5), designated as National Treasure No. 306-4, is kept at Beomeosa Temple in Busan in the form of one book not including volumes 1 to 3.[1] Additional two woodblock-printed editions of Sanguk yusa have been excavated in addition to this copy, and they have been designated as National Treasure Nos. 306 and 306-3. Even though this edition is an incomplete set, researchers regard it as highly valuable. It is the first printed copy of the Samguk yusa to have been engraved on wood in 1934. This edition is considered meaningful from both the historical and academic perspectives as it is a crucial copy for the restoration of the original woodblock-printed copy of the Samguk yusa, given that it is the only source with which Chapters 28, 29, and 30, which are missing from the other copies, can be included, along with the missing letters and errors in the copy published in 1512 (the 7th year of King Jungjong’s reign). Additionally, the collection at Beomeosa Temple is found to be closely related to the one published in 1512 in terms of its font, size, and spacing between the lines, which shows its importance for bibliographical research was recognized even during the Joseon Dynasty. Moreover, as it contains information on how to read the Chinese characters used in the text in Hangul (Korean alphabet), it is an applicable material for researchers of Korea’s ancient language. It was designated as the national treasure of the Republic of Korea on August 27, 2020

Korea University Collection[edit]

This book contains volumes 3-5 of Samguk yusa. The first 10 pages of volume 3, and pages 18 to 31 of volume 5 (total of 23 pages) are missing. The cover of this book was restored, and the five-hole woven with a red thread was used for the title page. This book was kept by Choe Nam-seon, and was later donated to Korea University in Seoul. This book originated from the edition published in Gyeongju in 1512 (the 7th year of the reign of King Jungjong of the Joseon Dynasty), which is the most commonly used version in the latest academic fields. “The book belongs to the copy withdrawn relatively early among other extant copies of the Jeongdeok Edition of Samguk yusea, and has value as the bibliography of the Jeongdeok Edition (also known as the Imshin Edition of King Jungjong).”[1] It is the only copy of the Jeongdeok Edition to include Korean endings on the Chinese characters.

Jung-gu Collection[edit]

The Jung-gu version of Samguk Yusa is the only copy with Volume 2 and no other volumes. In this copy, 4 sheets (17-20) out of 49 pages of the text were restored. The cover is restored in a Manja pattern with a five-needle red thread, and the binding is in good condition.

On the front cover, "Hwangmajungyangwolmaedeuk Nisannamssigajang" is written with ink in the center. Moreover, the word, "Nisanjang" on the middle of back cover, indicates that it was purchased and kept by a person with surname Nam in February of the 55th year of the Chinese Sexagenary Cycle. In terms of structure, 24 out of 49 pages are generally longer than 1 cm in length compared to Jeongdeokbon edition. In terms of content, it can be seen that it was published in the early Joseon Dynasty, as they were written in the style to avoid the names of Goryeo Dynasty's kings. Moreover, it includes many differences compared to the Jeongdeok edition, which was published in Gyeongju in 1512 (the 7th year of the reign of King Jungjong), and acts as a reference to compare and correct the mistakes in the Jeongdeok edition.

Seodaemun-gu Collection[edit]

This copy of Samguk Yusa, designated as National Treasure of Korea (No. 306-3) is an early Joseon edition. Along with Royal calendar, the brief chronology of Silla, Goguryeo, Baekje, Gaya, and Unified Silla, Later Goguryeo (including Goryeo), and Later Baekjae, it contains the records of mythical events (historical and cultural facts from the Gojoseon to the Late Three Kingdoms period). Even though, part 3 and 5 remain out of a total of five books, this copy is valuable in that it is a complete edition without any missing pages as an early Joseon book. In addition, it has an important value in that it can supplement letters that are difficult to read among the Samguk Yusa published in 1512 (7th year of King Jungjong's reign) and identify cited literary works of which there are no extant copies.

Jongno-gu Collection[edit]

This book is a collection of three volumes, 3rd to 5th volumes of the Book of the Three Kingdoms. The title Samguk Yusais written in large letters and in small letters, it is written as "Seokju" in the blue silk cover of the book. Every damaged and missing part of the copy was repaired and fully recovered to match the original contents. The volume consists of total 107 pages, 50 pages of the third chapter (missing first 6 pages), 31 pages of the fourth chapter, and 26 pages of the fifth chapter (missing last 4 pages). On the other hand, it is possible that most of the early Joseon books were not applied to the subjects of the Goryeo kings' names, such as Yong (the father of King Taejo) and Mu (the name of Hyejong) who were replaced by other characters in honor and samga. In terms of content, there are many differences in text from various books of Jeongdeokbon. This book is the earliest manuscript ever published in the late 14th century (the early Joseon Dynasty) before the 7th year of King Jungjong (1512) of Joseon Dynasty. Moreover, it is a valuable resource to correct errors in the edition in early Joseon period and it also works as a bibliography.

Editions[edit]

  • Ilyeon (2006) Overlooked Historical Records of the Three Korean Kingdoms, translated by Kim Dal-Yong. Jimoondang: Seoul, Korea. ISBN 89-88095-94-4
  • Ilyon (1972; 2006) Samguk Yusa: Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea, translated by Tae-Hung Ha and Grafton K. Mintz. Yonsei University Press: Seoul, Korea. ISBN 1-59654-348-5
  • 일연 (1996) 삼국유사. Somun munhwasa: Seoul. ISBN 89-7004-002-1.
  • 일연 (2002) 삼국유사. translated by Kim Won-jung. Eulyu munhwasa: Seoul. ISBN 89-324-6083-3.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Jump up to:a b c d e f g Cultural Heritage Administration. “Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) - Heritage Search.” Cultural Heritage Administration - English Site, english.cha.go.kr
  2. ^ "삼국유사"terms.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  3. ^ Huntley., Grayson, James (2011). Myths and legends from Korea : an annotated compendium of ancient and modern materials. Routledge. pp. 1–5. ISBN 978-0-415-51524-5OCLC 815975808.
  4. Jump up to:a b Ch'oe, Yŏng-ho (1 January 1980). "An Outline History of Korean Historiography"Korean Studies4 (1): 1–27. doi:10.1353/ks.1980.0003ISSN 1529-1529S2CID 162859304.
  5. Jump up to:a b c d e McCann, David (2012). Early Korean Literature : Selections and Introductions. Columbia University Press. pp. 1–10. ISBN 978-0-231-11947-4OCLC 1154833057.
  6. Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j k l Grayson, James H. (2 January 2017). "Invading Mongols and the Preservation of Korean Traditions: The Monk Iryŏn and theMemorabilia of the Three Kingdoms"Folklore128 (1): 1–15. doi:10.1080/0015587x.2016.1224147ISSN 0015-587XS2CID 165042441.
  7. Jump up to:a b c d Bushiness Korea (1 January 2001). "Temple of key historic text is to be restored". Bushiness Korea18 (8): 60–61 – via ProQuest Central.
  8. Jump up to:a b Walton, Jessica (23 March 2019). Korean Adoptees and Transnational Adoption. Routledge. pp. 1–5. doi:10.4324/9781351132312ISBN 978-1-351-13231-2S2CID 188162139.
  9. ^ Daniel R. Woolf; Sarah Foot; Chase F. Robinson (25 October 2012). The Oxford History of Historical Writing: Volume 2: 400-1400. Oxford University Press. pp. 136–. ISBN 978-0-19-923642-8.
  10. ^ Sarah Foot; Chase F. Robinson (25 October 2012). The Oxford History of Historical Writing: Volume 2: 400-1400. OUP Oxford. pp. 125–126. ISBN 978-0-19-163693-6.
  11. Jump up to:a b c John Duncan; Gi-Wook Shin (28 December 2006). The Journal of Korean Studies Vol 11, Number 1 (Fall 2006). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 165–185. ISBN 978-1-4422-3484-0.
  12. ^ Robert E. Buswell, Jr.; Donald S. Lopez, Jr. (24 November 2013). The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism. Princeton University Press. p. 754. ISBN 978-1-4008-4805-8.
  13. ^ McBride, Richard D. “Is the Samgukyusa Reliable? Case Studies from Chinese and Korean Sources.” The Journal of Korean Studies, vol. 11, no. 1, 2006, pp. 163–189. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/41490226.
  14. Jump up to:a b c d Kim, Kichung (2015). An introduction to classical Korean literature : from hyangga to pʻansori. Routledge. pp. 1–24. ISBN 978-1-56324-785-9OCLC 1151012243.
  15. Jump up to:a b Shultz, E. J. (1 January 2004). "An Introduction to the "Samguk Sagi"". Korean Studies28 (1): 1–13. doi:10.1353/ks.2005.0026S2CID 144403549.
  16. ^ Ch'oe, Yŏng-ho (1980). "An Outline History of Korean Historiography". Korean Studies4: 1–27. ISSN 0145-840XJSTOR 23717670.
  17. Jump up to:a b c Grayson, J. H. (31 July 2004). "Digging up Buddhism: Tales affirming the antiquity of Buddhism in the Samguk Yusa". Acta Koreana7 (2): 103–230 – via Project Muse Premium Collection.
  18. Jump up to:a b Kim, Chong-sun (1 January 2004). "Silla Economy and Society"Korean Studies28 (1): 75–104. doi:10.1353/ks.2005.0020ISSN 1529-1529S2CID 145158628.
  19. Jump up to:a b McBride, Richard D. (1 September 2006). "Is the Samguk yusa Reliable? Case Studies from Chinese and Korean Sources"Journal of Korean Studies11 (1): 163–189. doi:10.1353/jks.2006.0009ISSN 0731-1613S2CID 144946837.
  20. Jump up to:a b c Marek Zemánek. "The Birth of Korean Buddhist Tradition through Legends of Samguk yusa" (PDF)Palacký University Olomouc.
  21. Jump up to:a b c Kihl, T. S. (2004). "The Significance, Various Manifestations and Roles of Kwanŭm Tales as Found in Samguk Yusa". International Journal of Korean History6: 53–86 – via DOAJ Directory of Open Access Journals.

External links[edit]

  • The official website showing the original text as well as the translation in Korean Hangul (National Institute of Korean History)(in Korean)
  • 三國遺事  [Samguk Yusa] (in Chinese) – via Wikisource. Original Text of the Samguk yusa.
  • Samguk Yusa - World History Encyclopedia
  • 三國遺事 (Links to full text of Samguk yusa in literary Chinese)