The History of Korea (vol. 1 of 2)Hulbert, Homer B. (Homer Bezaleel)
History
The History of Korea (vol. 1 of 2)
Hulbert, Homer B. (Homer Bezaleel)
Korea -- History
We are told that the soil of Ko-gu-ryŭ was fertile and that the cereals
grew abundantly. The land was famous for its fine horses and its red
jade, its blue squirrel skins and its pearls. Chu-mong inclosed his
capital in a heavy stockade and built store-houses and a prison. At its
best the country stretched a thousand _li_ beyond the Yalu River and
southward to the banks of the Han. It comprised the Nang-nang tribe from
which Emperor Mu-je named the whole north-western portion of Korea when
he divided northern Korea into four provinces. On the east was Ok-ju and
on its north was Pu-yŭ. It contained two races of people, one living
among the mountains and the other in the plains. It is said they had a
five-fold origin. There were the So-ro-bu, Chŭl-lo-bu, Sun-no-bu,
Kwan-no-bu and Kye-ro-bu. The kings at first came from the So-ro-bu line
but afterwards from the Kye-ro-bu. This probably refers to certain
family clans or parties which existed at the time of Chu-mong’s arrival
and which were not discontinued. Chu-mong is said to have married the
daughter of the king of Chŭl-bon and so he came into the control of
affairs in a peaceful way and the institutions of society were not
particularly disturbed.
Agriculture was not extensively followed. In the matter of food they
were very frugal. Their manners and customs were somewhat like those of
Pu-yŭ but were not derived from that kingdom. Though licentious they
were fond of clean clothes. At night both sexes gathered in a single
apartment and immorality abounded. Adultery, however, if discovered, was
severely punished. In bowing it was customary for these people to throw
out one leg behind. While travelling, men more often ran than walked.
The worship of spirits was universal. In the autumn there was a great
religious festival. In the eastern part of the peninsula there was a
famous cave called Su-sin where a great religious gathering occurred
each autumn. Their religious rites included singing and drinking. At the
same time captives were set free. They worshipped likewise on the eve of
battle, slaughtering a bullock and examining the body for omens.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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