Emperor Mun of Balhae

Emperor Mun of Balhae
Hangul	문왕
Hanja	文王
Revised Romanization	Mun wang
McCune–Reischauer	Mun wang
Birth name
Hangul	대흠무
Hanja	大祚榮
Revised Romanization	Dae Heum-mu
McCune–Reischauer	Tae Choyŏng

Monarchs of Korea Balhae
Go 698-719 Mu 719–737 Mun 737–793 Dae Won-ui 793 Seong 793-794 Gang 794–809 Jeong 809-812 Hui 812–817 Gan 817–818 Seon 818–830 Dae Ijin 831–857 Dae Geonhwang 857–871 Dae Hyeonseok 871–894 Dae Wihae 894–906 Dae Inseon 906–926

Emperor Mun of Balhae (r. 737–793) was the personal name of Dae Heum-mu, the third and longest-reigning ruler of the Balhae, the successor state to Goguryeo. He succeeded his father King Mu, upon his death in 737.

Reign

During Emperor Mun's reign, diplomatic ties with Tang Dynasty China were established, and many Balhae scholars went to China to study,^[1] extending the influence of Buddhism and Confucianism in Balhae's governance. He also strengthened relations with Silla, which unified the Korean peninsula to the south of Balhae, overseeing the development of the trade route called Silla-road (Hangul: 신라도, Hanja: 新羅道). Balhae also increased diplomacy and trade with Japan.

Emperor Mun moved the capital of Balhae several times (Sanggyeong and Donggyeong), stabilizing and strengthening central rule over various ethnic tribes in his realm, which was expanded temporarily. He also authorized the creation of the Jujagam (Hangul: 주자감, Hanja: 胄子監), the national academy, based on the national academy of Tang.

Although China recognized him as a king, Balhae itself referred to him as the Daeheung Boryeok Hyogam Geumryun Seongbeop Daewang (Hangul: 대흥보력효감금륜성법대왕, 大興寶曆孝感金輪聖法大王), Gadokbu (Hangul: 가독부, Hanja: 可毒夫), Seongwang (Hangul: 성왕, Hanja: 聖王) and Giha (Hangul: 기하, Hanja: 基下),^[2] Some Korean historians referred to him as the posterity of heaven and an emperor.^[3]

The tomb of his fourth daughter, Princess Jeonghyo, was discovered in 1980. The tombstone of his elder daughter, Princess Jeonghye, has also been found.^[4]

Era names

• Daeheung (대흥 大興 Great Happiness 737-774, ?-793)
• Boryeok (보력 寶曆, 774-?, at least until 781)

See also

• History of Korea
• List of Korean monarchs

References

1. ^ A Concise History of Korea
2. ^ New Book of Tang vol.209
3. ^ 야청도의성(夜聽도衣聲)
4. ^ http://www.kcna.co.jp/calendar/2003/12/12-01/2003-12-01-016.html

External links

• Britannica Korea article (Korean)
• Balhae era poem and extensive historical background (Korean)
• KCNA article on the two tombs of Dae Heummu's daughters (Korean)
• The extension of Balhae Kingdom under King Mun (Korean)

Preceded by Dae Muye

Emperor of Balhae 737–793

Succeeded by Dae Won-ui