Talhae of Silla


Talhae was the fourth king of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He is commonly called Talhae Isageum, isageum being the royal title in early Silla. Also known by his personal name as Seok Talhae.

Family

Parents
  • Father: King Hamdalpa
  • Mother: Princess of Jeoknyeo-guk
Consorts and their respective issue:

Background

He was the founder of the Gyeongju Seok clan, one of the noble clans that shared the Silla throne during the early Common Era.
He was born in a small kingdom 1000 li northeast of Wa (Japan). " according to the Samguk sagi, or "Ryongseong-guk ", "Jeongmyeong-guk ", "Wanha-guk ", or "Hwaha-guk His father, King Hamdalpa, was a king of this kingdom; his mother was a queen or princess of another kingdom, called Nyeo-guk 女国 "Woman Country."
According to the Samguk sagi, when he was born as an egg, his father considered it an ill omen and had it boxed and floated at sea. The egg landed east of Gyerim, where he was raised by an old woman as a fisherman. His family is said to have taken over a high official's house by claiming to be metalsmiths.
His birth year is unknown, but he was probably an old man when he assumed the throne, having married the daughter of King Namhae of Silla in the year 8 AD. He was offered the throne as successor to the second king Namhae, but the older Yuri served as king first. Yuri in turn designated Talhae his successor.
Hogong is chief retainer who served for establishment of Silla. He also discovered Kim Alji who is the founder of Kim clan in Korea. He got involved to three royals who are founder of Silla. He has Japanese origin. Talhae also came over by ship. The location of his birth place Dapana Country is estimated as somewhere in the Japanese archipelago. It is precisely estimated some part in Sea of Japan side or Kyushu. According to Kenichi Kamigaito, as it is a myth, other lines would be mixed, but Talhae of Silla was a King of Tanba province and he made jade there. He reached Silla by following a trade route. Even though excluding details of myth, it can be assumed that clan Seok had trade with Japan.
On the other hand, there is a view that Ryongseong-guk listed in the Samguk yusa has been regarded as a nation of Ainu, and Talhae has been regarded as a citizen of Ainu.

Reign

In 64, the rival Korean kingdom Baekje attacked several times. Silla battled the Gaya confederacy in 77.
According to legend, in 65 the infant Kim Alji, ancestor of the Gyeongju Kim family, was found by Hogong in a golden box in the royal Gyerim forest. Talhae named his kingdom Gyerim at this time. There was also a legendary account of Talhae battling King Suro of Gaya, with both utilizing magic by transforming into birds to fight each other.
A tomb believed to be Talhae's is located in northern Gyeongju. The Gyeongju National Museum is constructed on the site where Talhae had a palace built.

In popular culture