Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 17

This site is regarded as the finest view in the Yeongnam region original: 嶺南 (Yeongnam). The southern region of the Korean Peninsula, primarily encompassing the Gyeongsang provinces.. To the east stands the Lake-Viewing Hall original: 望湖堂 (Wanghodang). and to the west stands the Mirror-Facing Pavilion original: 臨鏡軒 (Imgyeongheon). The name suggests a view of water so still it reflects the sky like a mirror.. Both structures are exceedingly elegant and refined.

The Flute to Calm Ten Thousand Waves

original: 萬波息笛 (Manpasikjeok). A legendary musical instrument of the Silla Kingdom, symbolizing divine protection and national harmony.

During the reign of King Sinmun of Silla original: 新羅神文王 (Silla Sinmun-wang). The 31st monarch of Silla, who ruled from 681 to 692 AD., a small mountain appeared floating in the East Sea, drifting back and forth with the waves. The King thought this was extraordinary and sailed out to the mountain. Upon its summit, he found a single stalk of bamboo. He ordered it to be fashioned into a flute.

When this flute was played:

• Enemy armies would retreat.
• Illnesses were healed.
• Rain would fall during droughts, and the skies would clear during floods.
• The winds would die down, and the waves would become calm.

It was thus named the Flute to Calm Ten Thousand Waves. It was treasured as a state heirloom for generations. When King Hyoso The 32nd King of Silla, r. 692–702 AD. ascended the throne, he added to its title, calling it the Grand Flute to Calm Ten Thousand Waves. original: 萬萬波息笛 (Man-manpasikjeok). It is now lost.

The Well-Field System

original: 井田 (Jeongjeon). A traditional land distribution system where a square of land is divided into nine equal plots; the inner central plot was worked by all for the state, while the outer eight were for individual families. The layout resembles the Chinese character for "well" (井).

Located within the outer wall of Pyeongyang original: 平壤府 (Pyeongyang-bu)., there are remains of the well-field system partitioned by Gija original: 箕子 (Gija/Jizi). A legendary sage-king who, according to tradition, migrated from China to Korea and introduced advanced agriculture and governance.. The traces of these ancient boundaries are still clearly visible today.