『삼국유사』의 문화사적 가치

Abstract

Generally, there are two theories about the standpoints of the publication of Samgukyusa(三國遺事; Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms); one is that the book was compiled under the perspective of mythology(神異), and the other is that it focused on history of Buddhism and Buddhist culture. Yet, this paper viewed the book contains both of the characteristics. It is assumed that Ilyŏn(一然) paid special attention to aspects of the convergence of the myth about 'descendence from heaven(天降神話)' and 'birth from eggs(卵生神話)' in origin myths such as the Old Chosŏn(古朝鮮)’s. He, on the other hand, focused on the amalgamation of Buddhism and indigenous religion, which indicates that Ilyŏn understood the amalgamation of the cultures as the ancient Korea's distinct feature. While it is covering the mythology and buddhism, Samgukyusa's contents includes folktale, Hyangga(鄕歌; traditional songs), and Chansi(讚詩; praise poems), comprehensively compiling the ancient literature of Korea. This tradition, prevailing through ages, had been used as the source of the modern literature, and descended to Pŏmp'ae(梵唄) and Sichoch'ang(時調唱). Additionally, it is an archive of the folk culture preserving the materials about indigenous religion and lives of commoners such as heavenly spirits(天神), mountain spirits(山神) or dragon gods(龍神; or sea kings). Unlike Samguk sagi(三國史記), covering only the three dynasties, Samgukyusa recorded and expanded the time and space of the ancient Korean states by including the Old Chosŏn, Poyŏ(夫餘), Koguryŏ(高句麗), Parhae(渤海), and Kaya(加耶). Additionally, this book has significance that the illustration of the social life was not limited to the ruling class, but paid attention to the commoners and recorded their lives. Thus, while Samguk Sagi is an official history about politics complied under the order of the king in Koryŏ dynasty, Samgukyusa is a history that an individual compiled to record about the cultural history. Until now, the contents of Samgukyusa had been the sources for modern literature such as novels and poems. Also, the book provides materials for movies and TV dramas, and animation and games often used the contents in these days. To summarize, Samgukyusa could be defined as the original form of Korean cultural contents, and repository of the cultural heritages.