Korean folk tales: imps, ghosts and fairies

Just over half a century ago—in 1911, to be exact—James S. Gale had the good fortune to acquire an old manuscript copy of the stories of Im Bang, one of Korea's greatest tellers of tales. During the same year there appeared a reprint of old Korean writings that contained a number of stories by Yi Ryuk, another famous recorder of Korean legends. From these two collections, with the addition of three anonymous tales from other sources, Mr. Gale created the skillful translations that make up Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies. First published in 1913 but regrettably long out of print, this fascinating little volume is now made available once again for the enjoyment of all who love an ancient tale, particularly if the setting is an exotic one.

Of the legends collected here, Mr. Gale has this to say in his preface: “To anyone who would like to look somewhat into the inner soul of the Oriental, and see the peculiar spiritual existences among which he lives, the … stories will serve as true interpreters, born as they are of the three great religions of the Far East, Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.” The stories of Im Bang, in particular, he offers to the Western world “that they may serve as introductory essays to the mysteries and, what many call, absurdities of Asia. Very gruesome indeed, and uhlovely, some of them are, but they picture faithfully the conditions under which Im Bang himself, and many past generations of Koreans, have lived.”