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This book contains 175 tales drawn equally from the ancient and modern periods of Korea, plus 16 further tales provided for comparative purposes. Nothing else on this scale or depth is available in any western language. Three broad classes of material are included: foundation myths of ancient states and clans, ancient folktales and legends, modern folktales. Each narrative contains information on its source and provenance, and on its folklore type, similarities to folklore types from China, Japan and elsewhere.
This book is a collection of myths and legends describing the beliefs and customs of the ancient people in the formative stage of Korean civilization, and will help the reader understand the Korean people, their traditions and their culture. The twenty-eight myths and legends in this volume are selected from several books of historic importance. Though they have been enjoyed throughout the ages in Korea, they are not known outside so well and this volume will fill that void.
Have you ever encountered a noblewoman who was so beautiful that every time she walked by a body of water, the divine being who lived there kidnapped her? Or a mole who wanted to marry his beloved daughter to the wind? You will get to meet both of them in this book. Long ago, Korea was divided into the three kingdoms of Koguryo, Silla, and Paekche. Each kingdom had its own culture, myths, and legends. Many of these myths were first written down in a collection called Samguk yusa, or "Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms," which was compiled by a Buddhist monk named Iryeon in the late thirteenth century. Changes in religious belief across the centuries came to have an important impact on Korean mythology. The earliest religion was a form of shamanism, and the belief in gods and spirits who inhabit animals and mountains come to the fore in several of these tales. Buddhism was introduced in the fourth century, and several Korean myths have Buddhist monks or priests as their protagonists. Confucianism, which gained traction in Korea starting at the end of the fourteenth century, contributed to the concept of filial piety that informs the plots of several of the stories in this volume. Some of these myths involve high-status people such as kings and government officials, or else tell of the activities of divine beings such as heavenly maidens or dragons, while others are amusing tales about the doings of cats and dogs and other animals. Myths such as "The Legend of Tangun" explain how kingdoms were founded, while "Kot'aji and the God of the Western Sea" tell the tale of how the archer Kot'aji saved a dragon and his family from the predations of a malicious demon, while other dragon stories are about people needing to be rescued from their long, scaly hosts who, despite having snatched people away from their families, are largely benignant beings who treat their guests well. Here are just a few of the other amazing things you will encounter in this collection of Korean myths and legends: The story of how King Tongmyong hatched out of an egg The legend of how the dragon Ch'oyong became a protector against smallpox A Korean frog prince and a Korean Cinderella A Buddhist monk who is befriended by a spirit The good brother whom the King of the Swallows rewards for his kindness, and the bad brother who learns a hard lesson about selfishness Why cats and dogs are enemies And more! Scroll up and click the "add to cart" button to learn more about Korean myths and legends.
This colorfully illustrated multicultural Korean children's book presents Indian fairy tales and other folk stories--providing insight into a rich literary culture. Korean Children's Favorite Stories is a captivating collection of Korean folktales for children which are still being told, just as they have been for generations. Some are Korean-specific, while others echo those told in other countries. Written with wit and pathos, they unveil the inevitable foibles of people everywhere and expose the human-like qualities of animals and the animal-like qualities of humans. Pulsating with the rhythm of life and the seasons, these Korean fables transport the reader to a wonderland where ants talk, a baby rabbit outwits a tiger, a tree fathers a child, and a toad saves a whole village. Korean stories include: The Story Bag The Pheasant, the Dove, and the Magpie The Bridegroom's Shopping The Bad Tiger The Great Flood The Pumpkin Seeds The Grateful Tiger The Three Princesses And more… The Children's Favorite Stories series was created to share the folktales and legends most beloved by children in the East with young readers of all backgrounds in the West. Other multicultural children's books in this series include: Asian Children's Favorite Stories, Indian Children's Favorite Stories, Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories, Japanese Children's Favorite Stories, Singapore Children's Favorite Stories, Filipino Favorite Children's Stories, Favorite Children's Stories from China & Tibet, Chinese Children's Favorite Stories, Balinese Children's Favorite Stories, and Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories.
This book discusses how ancient Japanese mythology was utilized during the colonial period to justify the annexation of Korea to Japan, with special focus on the god Susanoo. Described as an ambivalent figure and wanderer between the worlds, Susanoo served as a foil to set off the sun goddess, who played an important role in the modern construction of a Japanese national identity. Susanoo inhabited a sinister otherworld, which came to be associated with colonial Korea. Imperialist ideologues were able to build on these interpretations of the Susanoo myth to depict Korea as a dreary realm at the margin of the Japanese empire that made the imperial metropole shine all the more brightly. At the same time, Susanoo was identified as the ancestor of the Korean people. Thus, the colonial subjects were ideologically incorporated into the homogeneous Japanese family state. The book situates Susanoo in Japan's cultural memory and shows how the deity, while being repeatedly transformed in order to meet the religious and ideological needs of the day, continued to symbolize the margin of Japan.