King Muryeong

Japanese: 武寧王 - ぶねいおう

The 25th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea (reigned 501-523). His given name was Shima or Shima. In Chinese history books, he is written as Ryu. There are theories that he was the son of the previous king, King Dongseong, and that he was his half-brother. He succeeded King Dongseong after he was murdered by the high-ranking official Ga, and first executed Ga. During the Kumseong (Gongju, South Chungcheong Province) period (475-538), he built a relatively stable reign and was particularly skilled in diplomacy. He resisted invasions by Goguryeo and Wi, often defeating them.

He sought to establish control over the Gaya region and also drew close to Silla. He also maintained friendly relations with Japan, sending a scholar of the Five Classics in 513. In 512 and 521 (accompanying a Silla envoy), he sent envoys to the Liang dynasty of the Southern Dynasty of China. In 521, he was promoted by Liang to the title of "Emissiary, Commander in Chief of Baekje's Military, General of the East, and King of Baekje." His son was King Seong (King Seongmyeong).

[Tanaka Toshiaki]

Tomb of King Muryeong

In 1971, a previously unknown ancient tomb was discovered by chance in the Songsan-ri tombs, about 1 km northwest of the center of Gongju. It was discovered to be the tomb of this king when a tombstone (land purchase certificate) was unearthed that read "King Sama." This is the only Baekje king whose name can be identified, making it extremely valuable. The royal tomb is a circular tomb with a diameter of about 20 meters, where the king and queen are buried together. It is a single-chamber tomb facing south, with an arched ceiling measuring 4.2 meters north to south and 2.72 meters east to west, a maximum height of 2.93 meters, and made of bricks. The structure of the tomb and grave goods are strongly influenced by the Southern Dynasties of China, and the tombstone also clearly states "General Yeongdong." This fully supports the close relationship with the Yang dynasty.

[Tanaka Toshiaki]

“King Muryeong’s Mausoleum” (edited by the Cultural Properties Management Bureau of the Republic of Korea) (1974, Gyeongsangsha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

朝鮮三国、百済(くだら)の第25代王（在位501～523）。諱(いみな)は斯麻(しま)、斯摩(しま)。中国史書では隆と表記する。前王東城王の子とする説、異母兄とする説などがある。東城王が高官の加(はくか)に殺害された後をうけて即位し、まず加を誅殺(ちゅうさつ)。熊津（忠清南道公州）時代（475～538）においては比較的安定した王代を築き、とくに外交に手腕を発揮した。高句麗(こうくり)および濊(わい)の侵入に対抗し、しばしばそれらを撃破。

　加羅地方への支配権の確立を図り、新羅(しらぎ)とも接近。また日本に対しても、513年に五経博士を送るなど友好的な関係をもった。512、521年（新羅使を随伴）には、中国南朝の梁(りょう)に使者を派遣。521年には梁より「使持節・都督百済諸軍事・寧東大将軍・百済王」に進号された。その子は聖王（聖明王）。

［田中俊明］

武寧王陵

1971年に公州の中心から北西に約1キロメートル離れた宋山里の古墳群で、それまで知られていなかった古墳が1基偶然発見されたが、そこから「斯麻王」と記した墓誌（買地券）が出土したことにより、この王の陵とわかった。百済王の王陵で王名が特定できるのは、現在この王のみで、きわめて貴重である。王陵は、王妃との合葬墓で、直径20メートルほどの円墳。南向きの単室墓で、玄室は南北4.2メートル、東西2.72メートル、アーチ式の天井で高さ最大2.93メートル、塼築(せんちく)である。墓室の構造や副葬品に中国南朝の影響が濃厚で、墓誌にも「寧東大将軍」を明記。梁との関係の緊密性を十分に裏づけている。

［田中俊明］

『大韓民国文化財管理局編『武寧王陵』（1974・学生社）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例

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