[Korea Root] The King Who Harbored Dark Intentions Toward a Commoner's Wife... 'Domi Seolhwa'

A Legend Upholding 'The Couple's Loyalty and Integrity'... Based on Samguk Sagi's 'Domi Jeon'

Portrait of Lady Domi [Boryeong City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] In Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, the ancient Baekje legend of 'Domi Myth (都彌說話)' has been passed down through generations.

According to historical records, the Domi Myth is entirely based on the 'Domi Jeon' found in the Biographies section of the Samguk Sagi.

The legend of 'Madam Domi (都彌夫人)' recorded in the Biographies section of the Samguk Sagi is as follows.

都彌. 百濟人也. 雖編戶小民, 而頗知義理. 其妻美麗, 亦有節行, 爲時人所稱. 蓋婁王 聞之, 召都彌 與語曰 ‘凡婦人之德, 雖以貞潔爲先, 若在幽昏無人之處, 誘之以巧言, 則能不動心者, 鮮矣乎!’ 對曰 ‘人之情, 不可測也, 而若臣之妻者, 雖死 無貳者也’ 王欲試之, 留 都彌以事, 使一 近臣, 假王衣服馬從, 夜抵其家, 使人先報王來. 謂其婦曰 ‘我久聞爾好, 與 都彌 博得之. 來日入爾爲宮人, 自此後, 爾身吾所有也’ 遂將亂之. 婦曰 ‘國王無妄語, 吾敢不順 請大王先人入室 吾更衣乃進. 退而雜飾一婢子薦之. 王後知見欺大怒, 誣都 彌以罪, ?其兩眸子, 使人牽出之, 置小船 泛之河上. 遂引其婦, 强欲淫之. 婦曰 ’ 今良人已失, 單獨一身, 不能自持. 況爲王御, 豈敢相違 今以月經, 渾身汚穢, 請俟 他日薰浴而後來. 王信而許之. 婦便逃至江口, 不能渡, 呼天慟哭, 忽見孤舟 隨波而至, 乘至‘泉城島’, 遇其夫未死 掘草根以喫, 遂與同舟, 至 高句麗 蒜山 之下. 麗人哀之, ?以衣食. 遂苟活, 終於羈旅. - 『Samguk Sagi』 Biographies, Chapter 8 'Domi'

'Domi (都彌)' was a Baekje person. Although a commoner, he was quite knowledgeable about righteousness and loyalty. His wife was beautiful and virtuous, praised by people of the time for her chastity and conduct.

King Gaeru (蓋婁王) heard of this and summoned Domi to speak with him. The king said, "Generally, the virtue of a woman is foremost her chastity and purity, but if she is alone in a dark and secluded place and is tempted with cunning words, few can resist their hearts being moved." Domi replied, "Human feelings are unpredictable, but my wife would remain faithful even unto death."

The king wished to test her and kept Domi occupied with affairs, sending a close retainer disguised in the king's clothes and accompanied by a groom to visit her house at night. The retainer had someone announce the king's arrival in advance. He said to her, "I have long heard of your beauty and have won a bet against Domi. Tomorrow, you will enter the palace as a court lady, and from then on, your body will belong to me."

When he tried to violate her, the wife said, "The king does not speak falsely; how could I disobey? Please, Your Majesty, enter the room first. I will change my clothes and then come in." She then withdrew and dressed a maid to lie in her place.

When the king later realized he had been deceived, he became furious and falsely accused Domi, punishing him by blinding both his eyes and placing him on a small boat set adrift on the river.

He then dragged his wife, attempting to violate her. She said, "My husband is already lost, and I am alone and cannot protect myself. Moreover, since I am the king's consort, how could I dare disobey? But I am currently menstruating and my whole body is unclean. Please wait for another day after I have bathed and purified myself." The king believed her and agreed.

The wife escaped to the riverbank but could not cross. She cried out to heaven in grief and suddenly saw a lone boat drifting with the waves. She boarded it and reached 'Cheonseong Island (泉城島)', where she found her husband still alive.

They ate grass roots and eventually boarded the same boat to reach beneath Sosan Mountain in Goguryeo. The people of Goguryeo pitied them and provided clothes and food. They barely survived and lived out their lives as wanderers.

Estimated Location of Hanam Dominaru [Hanam-si]

■ Historical Records Related to 'Domi Naru'

In Hanam, there are records, traces, and old maps related to Domi Naru, but other regions rely solely on legends.

In Boryeong City, a shrine dedicated to Madam Domi has been built, enshrining her portrait and holding annual memorial rites.

On the northwest riverside of Geomdansan Mountain in Hanam, there are two places presumed to be Domi Naru related to Madam Domi from the Baekje King Gaeru era.

The first presumed Domi Naru site is about 100 meters east from the western Changmoru ferry dock, on the left side of the road by the riverbank.

Currently, a restaurant stands there, and the ferry dock is no longer visible, but long stone embankments and retaining walls along the river suggest it was once a ferry dock.

About 200 meters east from here is the second presumed Domi Naru site.

As a result of a survey on cultural relics between Paldang Bridge and Paldang Dam, traces of building foundations and stone embankments were confirmed at both presumed Domi Naru sites.

Hanam Dominaru Site [Hanam-si]

However, additional excavations are needed to verify clear evidence regarding the discovered artifacts and traces.

The 'Domi River' (also called 'Dumi River') in Hanam, which forms the main stream of the Han River, creates a gorge where Geomdansan Mountain in Hanam meets Yebongsan Mountain in Namyangju.

Therefore, it is also called 'Domi Gorge' or 'Domi Stream' due to the long stone paths laid around the area. There are records that a 'Domi Won' existed here.

The etymology of 'Domi' is related to the 'Madam Domi' legend recorded in the Samguk Sagi. This legend is passed down not only in Hanam but also in Songpa, Seoul; Boryeong, Chungnam; and Jinhae, Gyeongnam, among other places.

There is also a claim that 'Domi' was a nobleman who had female servants under his command in the legend.

Among the historical records of 'Domi Naru,' the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty (Joseon Wangjo Sillok) mention it as a place where the royal family held rain prayers.

During King Seonjo's reign (1567?1608), after holding six rain prayers without rain, the location was moved, and rain prayers were held at 'Dumijin (Domi Jin).' (May 3, 1599)

During King Sukjong's reign (1674?1720), rain prayers were held four times (May 11, 1695; May 16, 1697; May 18, 1701; June 26, 1704).

There is also a record that when sulfur was reported to have been found at a firewood market near Gwangju Domi Jin, King Sukjong ordered the mining and use of sulfur. (November 28, 1710)

Estimated Location of Hanam Dominaru [Hanam-si]

The Sejong Sillok Jiriji (Geographical Records of the Annals of King Sejong) states that 'Domi Jin' was located to the northeast and had ferry boats. King Sejong included the 'Domi Myth' in the first chapter of the 'Samgang Haengsildo' (Illustrated Exemplars of the Three Bonds).

The Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (Newly Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea) records that 'Domi Jin' was located downstream east of Yanggun County (now Yangpyeong), and the northern hill was called 'Domi Stream (渡迷遷).'

To the east, a stone path about 1 km long led toward Bongan Station; in the Silla dialect, a stone path on a water hill was called 'cheon (川).'

'Dumigu (斗迷口)' is also called 'Domigu (渡迷口)' and was located about 9 km north. Mountains flanked the river on both east and west sides, and a rugged stone path wound around the mountain ridge extending about 10 km eastward, where 'Domi Won (斗迷院)' was located.

Meanwhile, King Gaeru (蓋婁王), who attempted to violate Domi, was the 4th king of Baekje (reigned 128?166). Some theories claim that the king related to Madam Domi was actually King Gaero, the 21st king of Baekje (reigned 455?475).

King Gaero is recorded as a tragic king who was beheaded under Achasan Fortress after Goguryeo's King Jangsu invaded, capturing the capital and losing territory.