The Tale of Usang우상전 · 虞裳傳
A young interpreter won fame for his poetry in Japan, yet recognition at home remained out of reach. Read about a writer's regret as he gathers the work that survives.
Talent · Recognition12 min
Measuring the Distance from the World
Unrecognized talent, inexplicable abilities. Read about people who mingle with the world or withdraw from it.
After reading about a literary talent in The Tale of Usang, encounter the extraordinary deeds in The Tale of Master Namgung and The Tale of Jang. Poems that demonstrate ability, other people's testimony, and stories heard at second hand persuade readers in different ways. Rather than immediately treating strange events as historical facts, this selection asks how their placement shapes the memory of a person. It also leaves visible the places where the material tells us nothing, such as the missing ending of The Tale of Usang.
A suggested reading order
01 Start here
02 Read next
The Tale of Master Namgung남궁선생전 · 南宮先生傳
Fleeing after a grave crime, Namgung Du learns the art of long life from a mountain teacher. Follow the impulse that defeats his years of training and the loneliness that comes with longevity.
Desire · Spiritual training24 min
03 Read next
The Tale of Jang장생전 · 蔣生傳
Jang shares the grain he begs and imitates every kind of sound. A night beyond the palace walls and a reunion after death turn a street performer into a man who defies easy explanation.
Sharing · Skill10 min