King Munmu's Tomb

King Munmu unified the three Koreas. He was the 30th King of the Shilla empire and ruled from 661-681. He vowed that after his death he would become a water dragon so that he could conintue to protect Korea. He had his ashes placed in a rock pile in the ocean.

Along the shore by King Munu's tomb were offerings such as pigs heads, fish, soju, water, and maekolli. Here are some women who were playing drums, dancing with knives and had a pigs head with money in it's mouth. I was trying to be sneaky when I took this photo.


This is the pig's head we found on the shore. It was gross. There were lots of things left for King Munmu that should not be left on beaches...


These were some squid stands along the board walk.


The Gameunsaji Temple site was in a beautiful valley with lots of nice fields.


This was taken at the Gameunsaji Temple site. King Munmu's son, the 31st King Shinmun of Shilla, built this temple in his father's honor. He built it by the seaside ti defeat Japanses invaders with the help of Buddha. He died before the temple was completed. He also vowed to be a dragon after death and said, "I will be a guardian dragon after my death to support Buddhism and defend the counrty." Under the temple were a seriies of open spaces for the dragon to visit the temple. Despite all of the dragons protecting Korea, Japan still managed to invade...