Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Tomb of King Suro in kimhae of korea

Gimhae is located at the southeastern tip of Korean peninsula. It borders Gangseo-gu, and Changwon on the southwest, and the Nakdonggang River divides Gimhae and Milyang on the north.



The theory of six Gayas originated in the early Goryeo Period. In actuality, there were more than 10 small Gaya Kingdoms. In general, when the history of Gaya is mentioned, people think of the names of six Gayas. Then, why was each kingdom called so and so Gaya? The first record of six Gayas can be found in the record of "5 Gaya Dynasties" in Samgukyusa(the legend and history of Three Kingdoms written by Ilyeon in the Goryeo Period) written in the late Goryeo Period. In the record, 7 Gaya Kingdoms including Ara Gaya, Goryeong Gaya, Dae Gaya, Seongsan Gaya, So Gaya, Geumgwan Gaya, and Bihwa Gaya were mentioned. These names were added to the legend of 6 eggs attached to the King Suro of Garak Kingdom. The concept of six Gayas was formed between the late Silla Period and early Goryeo Period. Therefore, the names of Gaya Kingdoms were not actually used at the time of their existence. But they were named later to indicate the Gaya confederation including Geumgwan Kingdom, Ara Kingdom, Godongnam Kingdom, Seongsan Kingdom and Bihwa Kingdom. It is not clear whether the 7 Gaya Kingdoms recorded in Samgukyusa were actually members of Gaya confederation. In addition, excavations of Gaya earthenware indicate that there were more than 10 Gaya Kingdoms. Therefore, it is time to overcome the theory of six Gayas Kingdoms and restructure the history of Gaya based on "Wiseo, Dongijeon" of Samgukji(History of Wi, Chok, and Oh of China compiled by Jin Su. In the Dongijeon, histories of Korea and other nations in the east were recorded), Samguksaki(History of Three Kingdoms written by Kim Busik in the Goryeo Period), and Nihonshoki(History of Japan compiled in the Nara Period).



The Tomb of King Suro, the founder of Garak Kingdom, is a symbolic relic of Gimhae. Here, King Suro rests. He is the father of Kim family and Heo family of Gimhae and Yi family of Incheon. A legend says that King Kim Suro was born in an egg and thus he was named "Suro". On the front gate of the tomb is engraved a pattern of two fish that symbolizes the dragon king of Ayutah Kingdom, the home of Queen Heo Hwangok. The round tomb awes the visitors.

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