Samguk Yusa

Samguk Yusa, or legends of the Three Kingdoms, is a collection of legends, folk tales and historical accounts of the Three Kingdoms of Korea ( Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla ). In addition, other periods and states before be treated during and after the three kingdoms. The oldest surviving text version is the version Jeongdeok - bon of 1512. It includes five books with 138 stories.

The text was at the end of the 13th century by the Buddhist monk Il- yeon ( 1206-1289 ) written in classical Chinese, and probably compiled by his pupil Bogam Guksa Mugeuk, revised and printed posthumously. The Korean writing was not developed until the 15th century. The Samguk Yusa belongs together with about one hundred years younger historiography Samguk Sagi ( 1145 ) by Kim Bu -sik of the oldest written sources in Korea.

In contrast to the more fact- oriented Samguk Sagi, the Samguk Yusa focuses on folk tales, legends, and biographies from the early Korean history as narrative chronology. Many of the founding myths of the various kingdoms in Korean history are recorded in this book. Il- yeon wrote on legends from various kingdoms, including from Gojoseon, Wiman Joseon, Buyeo, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Gaya.

The book is the earliest extant source of the Dangun legend that represents the founding of Gojoseon as the first Korean nation.