金庾信「仙化」探微

Abstract

Remembered by Koreans as one of the greatest generals in history,Kim Yushin (595-673 AD) served in 7th century Silla (57 BC-935 AD). At the young age of 15, he became a Hwarang (Flower Boy) and wenton to play an important role in the continuous wars against Baekje (18BC-660 AD) and Goguryeo (37 BC-668 AD). In 668 AD, the KoreanPeninsula came be unified under Silla. Kim Yushin’s outstandingefforts in the unification wars of the Three Kingdoms led to hisaccreditation as the major driving force in the campaign. Furthertaking into account that he was already a member of the royal family,King Munmu of Silla eventually bestowed upon him the honor ofTaedaegakgan, a title unprecedented in Korean history. Today, KimYushin’s status in Korean society remains intact where one of the 24Patterns in Taekwon-Do ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation)is named after him (Yoo-Sin). Through the progress of time, Kim Yushin emerged a legend, hisstories fabricated to become a myth. The life of Kim can be foundin two historical records both of which had been compiled during theGoryeo Dynasty (918-1392 AD): Samguk Sagi (History of the ThreeKingdoms) written by Goryeo Confucian scholar Kim Busik (1075-1151 AD) and Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the ThreeKingdoms), penned by Goryeo Buddhist monk Iryeon (1206-1289 AD). These records document the birth, upbringing, education and death ofKim Yushin through fictional accounts, allowing the man to re-emergeas a Mountain God and become one of the Twelve Mountain Gods thatis worshipped and celebrated during the Gangneung Danoje festival todate. Through a closer examination of the aforementioned records, thisarticle shall demonstrate the myth surrounding Kim Yushin’s life,further highlighting the various developments and re-developments inthe process of fabrication and finally analyzing the reasons behind inhopes of shedding light on the implications of this particular historicalspectrum.