Name/TitleShrines to the female goddess on Mount Unje

About this objectMount Unje lies in the same range as Mount Toham (吐含山), site of Buddhist rock-cut caves of Seogkuram (石窟庵) [EXH44] and Bulguksa( 佛國寺) [EXH43]. Although Sansin (山神), the traditional, male mountain god of Korea, has a shrine here, according to Samguk yusa (三國遺事) [EXH18] Unje is the home of a traditional female god, Lady Unje (雲帝女山神), and worship here continued to the 13th century when the record was compiled. It states that she was the wife of Namhae (南解, r.4–24) second king of Silla. Indeed, Unje continues to receive attention today, drawing worshippers from far afield. As at Okinoshima (沖ノ島) [EXH47], shrines are found on rocks and in the cleft of rocks.
As well as bringing rain, Unje is also sought out for those seeking a son.

Subject and Association KeywordsEncounters

Subject and Association DescriptionLearn more: Crewe 1996; Grayson 1996; Ten and Winstantley-Chesters 2020.

Medium and MaterialsVarious

Credit LineJames Huntley Grayson

Object numberEXH45: Mount Unje shrines (雲帝女山神)