Eerie Tales from Old Korea

by Brother Anthony of Taizé

  THE GRATEFUL GHOST

  It is often told that in the days of the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), when an examination was to be held, a certain scholar came from a far-distant part of the country to take part. Once on his journey, the day was drawing to a close, and he found himself among the mountains. Suddenly, he heard a sneezing from among the creepers and bushes by the roadside but could see no one. Thinking it strange, he dismounted from his horse, went into the brake, and listened. He heard it again, and it seemed to come from the roots of the creeper close beside him, so he ordered his servant to dig round it and see. He dug and found a dead man’s skull. It was full of earth, and the roots of the creeper had passed through the nostrils. The sneezing was caused by the annoyance felt by the spirit from having the nose so discommoded.

  The candidate felt sorry, washed the skull in clean water, wrapped it in paper, and reburied it in its former place on the hillside. He also brought a table of food, offered sacrifice, and said a prayer.

  That night, in a dream, a scholar came to him, an old man with white hair, who bowed, thanked him, and said, “On account of sin committed in a former life, I died out of season, before I had fulfilled my days. My posterity, too, were all destroyed, and my body crumbled back into the dust, my skull alone remaining, and that is what you found below the creeper. On account of the root passing through it the annoyance was great, and I could not help but sneeze. By good luck you and your kind heart, blessed of Heaven, took pity on me, buried me in a clean place, and gave me food. Your kindness is greater than the mountains and like the blessing that first brought me into life. Though my soul is by no means perfect, I long for some way by which to requite your favor, and so I have exercised my powers on your behalf. Your present journey is for the purpose of trying the official examination, so I shall tell you beforehand what the form is to be, and the subject. It is to be of character groups of fives, in couplets; the rhyme sound is ‘pong,’ and the subject ‘Peaks and Spires of the Summer Clouds.’ I have already composed one for you, which, if you care to use it, will undoubtedly win you the first place. It is this:

  The white sun rode high up in the heavens,

  And the floating clouds formed a lofty peak;

  The priest who saw them asked if there was a temple there,

  And the crane lamented the fact that no pines were visible;

  But the lightning from the cloud was the flashings of the woodsman’s axe,

  And the muffled thunder was the bell calls of the holy temple.

  Will any say that the hills do not move?

  On the sunset breezes they sailed away.

  After thus stating it, he bowed and took his departure.

  The man, in wonder, awakened from his dream, came up to Seoul, and behold, the subject was as foretold by the spirit. He wrote what had been given him and became first in the honors of the occasion.

  TEN THOUSAND DEVILS

  A certain Prince Han of Chungcheong-do had a distant relative who was an uncouth countryman living in extreme poverty. This relative came to visit him from time to time. Han pitied his cold and hungry condition, gave him clothes to wear, and shared his food, urging him to stay and prolong his visit often into several months. He felt sorry for him but disliked his uncouthness and stupidity.

  On one of these visits the poor relation suddenly announced his intention to return home, although the New Year’s season was just at hand. Han urged him to remain, saying, “It would be better for you to be comfortably housed at my home, eating cake and soup and enjoying quiet sleep, rather than riding through wind and weather at this season of the year.”

  He said at first that he would have to go, until his host so insistently urged on him to stay that at last he yielded and gave consent. At New Year’s Eve he remarked to Prince Han, “I am possessor of a peculiar kind of magic, by which I have under my control all manner of evil genii, and New Year’s is the season at which I call them up, run over their names, and inspect them. If I did not do so I should lose control altogether, and there would follow no end of trouble among mortals. It is a matter of no small moment, and that is why I wished to go. Since, however, you have detained me, I shall have to call them up in your Excellency’s house and look them over. I hope you will not object.”

  Han was greatly astonished and alarmed but gave his consent. The poor relation went on to say further, “This is an extremely important matter, and I would like to have for it your central guest hall.”

  Han consented to this also, so that night they washed the floors and scoured them clean. The relation also sat himself with all dignity facing the south, while Prince Han took up his station on the outside prepared to spy. Soon he saw a startling variety of demons crushing in at the door, horrible in appearance and awesome of manner. They lined up one after another, and still another, and another, till they filled the entire court, each bowing as he came before the master, who, at this point, drew out a book, opened it before him, and began calling off the names. Demon guards who stood by the threshold repeated the call and checked off the names just as they do in a government yamen. From the second watch it went on till the fifth of the morning. Han remarked, “It was indeed no lie when he told me ‘ten thousand devils.’”

  One latecomer arrived after the marking was over, and still another came climbing over the wall. The man ordered them to be arrested, and inquiry was made of them under the paddle. The late arrival said, “I really have had a hard time of it of late to live and so was obliged, in order to find anything, to inject smallpox into the home of a scholar who lives in Yeongnam. It is a long way off, and so I have arrived too late for the roll call, a serious fault indeed, I confess.”

  The one who climbed the wall said, “I, too, have known want and hunger and so had to insert a little typhus into the family of a gentleman who lives in Gyeonggi-do, but hearing that roll call was due, I came helter-skelter, fearing lest I should arrive too late, and so climbed the wall, which was indeed a sin.”

  The man then, in a loud voice, rated them soundly, saying, “These devils have disobeyed my orders, caused disease, and sinned grievously. Worse than everything, they have climbed the wall of a high official’s house.” He ordered a hundred blows to be given them with the paddle, the cangue to be put on, and to have them locked fast in prison. Then, calling the others to him, he said, “Do not spread disease! Do you understand?” Three times he ordered it and five times he repeated it. Then they were all dismissed. The crowd of devils lined off before him, taking their departure and crushing out through the gate with no end of noise and confusion. After a long time, they had all disappeared.

  Prince Han, looking on during this time, saw the man now seated alone in the hall. It was quiet, and all had vanished. The cocks crowed and morning came. Han was astonished above measure and asked as to the law that governed such work as this. The poor relation said in reply, “When I was young I studied in a monastery in the mountains. In that monastery was an old priest who had a most peculiar countenance. A man feeble and ready to die, he seemed. All the priests made sport of him and treated him with contempt. I alone had pity on his age, and often gave him of my food and always treated him kindly. One evening, when the moon was bright, the old priest said to me, ‘There is a cave behind this monastery from which a beautiful view may be had; will you not come with me and share it?’

  “I went with him, and when we crossed the ridge of the hills into the stillness of the night he drew a book from his breast and gave it to me, saying, ‘I, who am old and ready to die, have here a great secret, which I have long wished to pass on to someone worthy. I have traveled over the wide length of Korea and have never found the man till now I meet you, and my heart is satisfied, so please receive it.’

  “I opened the book and found it a catalog list of devils, with magic writing interspersed, and an explanation of the laws that govern the spirit world. The old priest wrote out one magic recipe and, having set fire to it, countless devils at once assembled, at which I was grea
tly alarmed. He then sat with me and called over the names, one after the other, and said to the devils, ‘I am an old man now, am going away, and so am about to put you under the care of this young man; obey him and all will be well.’

  “I already had the book and so called them to me, read out the new orders, and dismissed them.

  “The old priest and I returned to the temple and went to sleep. I awoke early next morning and went to call on him, but he was gone. Thus I came into possession of the magic art and have possessed it for a score of years and more. What the world knows nothing of I have thus made known to your Excellency.”

  Han was astonished beyond measure and asked, “May I not also come into possession of this wonderful gift?”

  The man replied, “Your Excellency has great ability and can do wonderful things, but the possessor of this craft must be one poor and despised, and of no account. For you, a minister, it would never do.”

  The next day he left suddenly, and returned no more. Han sent a servant with a message to him. The servant, with great difficulty, at last found him alone among a thousand mountain peaks, living in a little straw hut no bigger than a cockle shell. No neighbors were there, nor any one beside. He called him, but he refused to come. He sent another messenger to invite him, but he had moved away and no trace of him was left.

  THE HOME OF THE FAIRIES

  In the days of King Injo (1623–1649) there was a student of Confucius who lived in Gapyeong. He was still a young man and unmarried. His education had not been extensive, for he had read only a little in the way of history and literature. For some reason or other he left his home and went into Gangwon-do. Traveling on horseback and with a servant, he reached a mountain, where he was overtaken by rain that wet him through. Mysteriously, from some unknown cause, his servant suddenly died, and the man, in fear and distress, drew the body to the side of the hill, where he left it and went on his way, weeping. When he had gone but a short distance, the horse he rode fell under him and died also. Such was his plight: his servant dead, his horse dead, rain falling fast, and the road an unknown one. He did not know what to do or where to go, and reduced thus to walking, he broke down and cried. At this point there met him an old man with very wonderful eyes and hair as white as snow. He asked the young man why he wept, and the reply was that his servant was dead, his horse was dead, that it was raining, and that he did not know the way. The patriarch, on hearing this, took pity on him and, lifting his staff, pointed, saying, “There is a house yonder, just beyond those pines; follow that stream and it will bring you to where there are people.”

  The young man looked as directed, and a li* or so beyond he saw a clump of trees. He bowed, thanked the stranger, and started on his way. When he had gone a few paces he looked back, but the friend had disappeared. Greatly wondering, he went on toward the place indicated, and as he drew near he saw a grove of pines, huge trees they were, a whole forest of them. Bamboos appeared, too, in countless numbers, with a wide stream of water flowing by. Underneath the water there seemed to be marble flooring, like a great pavement, white and pure. As he went along he saw that the water was all of an even depth, such as one could cross easily. A mile or so farther on, he saw a beautifully decorated house. The pillars and entrance approaches were perfect in form. He continued his way, wet as he was, carrying his thorn staff, and entered the gate and sat down to rest. It was paved, too, with marble, and smooth as polished glass. There were no chinks or creases in it; all was of one perfect surface. In the room was a marble table, and on it a copy of the Book of Changes; there was also a brazier of jade just in front. Incense was burning in it, and the fragrance filled the room. Beside these, nothing else was visible. The rain had ceased and all was quiet and clear, with no wind or anything to disturb. The world of confusion seemed to have receded from him.

  While he sat there, looking in astonishment, he suddenly heard the sound of footfalls from the rear of the building. Startled by it, he turned to see when an old man appeared. He looked as though he might equal the turtle or the crane in age and was very dignified. He wore a green dress and carried a jade staff of nine sections. The appearance of the old man was such as to stun any inhabitant of the earth. He recognized him as the master of the place, and so he went forward and made a low obeisance.

  The old man received him kindly and said, “I am the master and have long waited for you.” He took him by the hand and led him away. As they went along, the hills grew more and more enchanting, while the soft breezes and the light touched him with mystifying favor. Suddenly, as he looked, the man was gone, so he went on by himself and arrived soon at another palace built likewise of precious stones. It was a great hall, stretching on into the distance as far as the eye could see.

  The young man had seen the Royal Palace frequently when in Seoul attending examinations, but compared with this, the Royal Palace was as a mud hut thatched with straw.

  As he reached the gate, a man in ceremonial robes received him and led him in. He passed two or three pavilions and at last reached a special one and went up to the upper story. There, reclining at a table, he saw the ancient sage whom he had met before. Again he bowed.

  This young man, brought up poorly in the country, was never accustomed to seeing or dealing with the great. In fear, he did not dare to lift his eyes. The ancient master, however, again welcomed him and asked him to be seated, saying, “This is not the dusty world that you are accustomed to but the abode of the genii. I knew you were coming and so was waiting to receive you.” He turned and called, saying, “Bring something for the guest to eat.”

  In a little while a servant brought a richly laden table. It was such fare as was never seen on earth, and there was an abundance of it. The young man, hungry as he was, ate heartily of these strange viands. Then the dishes were carried away and the old man said, “I have a daughter who has arrived at a marriageable age, and I have been trying to find a son-in-law but as yet have not succeeded. Your coming accords with this need. Live here, then, and become my son-in-law.” The young man, not knowing what to think, bowed and was silent. Then the host turned and gave an order, saying, “Call in the children.”

  Two boys about twelve or thirteen years of age came running in and sat down beside him. Their faces were so beautifully white they seemed like jewels. The master pointed to them and said to the guest, “These are my sons,” and to the sons he said, “This young man is he whom I have chosen for my son-in-law; when should we have the wedding? Choose you a lucky day and let me know.”

  The two boys reckoned over the days on their fingers and then together said, “The day after tomorrow is a lucky day.”

  The old man, turning to the stranger, said, “That decides as to the wedding, and now you must wait in the guest chamber till the time arrives.” He then gave a command to call so-and-so. In a little an official of the genii came forward, dressed in light and airy garments. His appearance and expression were very beautiful, a man, he seemed, of glad and happy mien.

  The master said, “Show this young man the way to his apartments and treat him well till the time of the wedding.”

  The official then led the way, and the young man bowed as he left the room. When he had passed outside the gate, a red sedan chair was in waiting for him. He was asked to mount. Eight bearers bore him smoothly along. A mile or so distant they reached another palace, equally wonderful, with no speck or flaw of any kind to mar its beauty. In graceful groves of flowers and trees he descended to enter his pavilion. Beautiful garments were taken from jeweled boxes, and a perfumed bath was given him and a change made. Thus he laid aside his weather-beaten clothes and donned the vestments of the genii. The official remained as company for him till the appointed time.

  When that day arrived, other beautiful robes were brought, and again he bathed and changed. When he was dressed, he mounted the palanquin and rode to the palace of the master, twenty or more officials accompanying. On arrival, a guide directed them to the special Palace Beautiful. Here he saw prep
arations for the wedding, and here he made his bow. This finished, he moved as directed, further in. The tinkling sound of jade bells and the breath of sweet perfumes filled the air. Thus he made his entry into the inner quarters.

  Many beautiful women were in waiting, all gorgeously appareled, like the women of the gods. Among these he imagined that he would meet the master’s daughter. In a little, accompanied by a host of others, she came, shining in jewels and beautiful clothing so that she lit up the palace. He took his stand before her, though her face was hidden from him by a fan of pearls. When he saw her at last, so beautiful was she that his eyes were dazzled. The other women, compared with her, were as the magpie to the phoenix. So bewildered was he that he dared not look up. The friend accompanying assisted him to bow and to go through the necessary forms. The ceremony was much the same as that observed among men. When it was over the young man went back to his bridegroom’s chamber. There, the embroidered curtains, the golden screens, the silken clothing, the jeweled floor, were such as no men of earth ever see.

  On the second day his mother-in-law called him to her. Her age would be about thirty, and her face was like a freshly blown lotus flower. Here a great feast was spread, with many guests invited. The accompaniments thereof in the way of music were sweeter than mortals ever dreamed of. When the feast was over, the women caught up their skirts, and, lifting their sleeves, danced together and sang in sweet accord. The sound of their singing caused even the clouds to stop and listen. When the day was over and all had well dined, the feast broke up.

  A young man, brought up in a country hut, had all of a sudden met the chief of the genii and come to share in his glory and the accompaniments of his life. His mind was dazed and his thoughts overcame him. Doubts were mixed with fears. He knew not what to do.