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Paper short abstract

This paper explores representations of Korean animals in classical Japanese literature, showing how such imagery—especially in the legend of Empress Jingū—shaped Japan’s perception of Korea through symbols of conquest and cultural imagination.

Paper long abstract

Classical Japanese literature contains various references to exchanges with Korea that have taken place since ancient times. In these stories, animals associated with Korea appear in various forms, including animals that Japanese people encountered when they went to the Korean peninsula, as well as animals that symbolized Korea in the Japanese archipelago. For example, the 13th century collection of Japanese stories, Uji Shūi Monogatari (A Collection of Tales from Uji) includes two stories about a powerful tiger that a merchant from Yamato encountered when he went to Silla, and suggests that tigers were a symbol of Korea in premodern Japan.

A similar pattern may be observed in the legend of Empress Jingū, who is said to have conquered Silla. In paintings depicting the empress, she is shown standing on a tiger rug, representing the subjugation of Silla. This legend resurfaced time and again in the context of Japan's wars of aggression against Korea, such as the Imjin War, and the nineteenth century “Chastisement of Korea debates” (Chōsen seibatsu ron). We may also observe other animal symbolism in the legends about Empress Jingū. Hachiman gudōkun (Teachings on Hachiman for Foolish Children, c.13th or 14th century), for example, ends with the phrase "The great king of Silla was a Japanese dog," which has had a significant influence on the Japanese view of Korea in later generations.

These examples speak to the way literature is used in war, and how people use images of animals to project onto foreigners when interacting with them. This presentation will analyze how animals associated with Korea were depicted in Japanese classical literature, focusing on the legend of Empress Jingū, and what role these animal symbols played in the historical Japanese perception of Korea.