Discover the Wisdom and Magic of Korea’s Most Beloved Folk Tales Step into a world where clever tigers meet their match, humble woodcutters are rewarded for their integrity, and the virtue of a devoted daughter-in-law transforms her family’s destiny. Folk Tales from Korea: Timeless Stories of Wisdom, Virtue, and Fortune from Korean Folklore is a mesmerizing collection of Korea’s most cherished folk tales, brought together in one beautifully crafted volume. In this first installment of our Folk Tales from Korea series, readers of all ages will be enchanted by the rich narratives and profound lessons embedded in these stories. Journey alongside characters like the fearless woodcutter who must choose between wealth and honesty, the lazy man whose unexpected fortune leads to self-discovery, and the virtuous daughter-in-law whose unwavering devotion is rewarded by the heavens. Each tale, steeped in the cultural heritage of Korea, offers timeless wisdom that resonates across generations. A Treasure Trove of Timeless Wisdom and Cultural Insight More than just stories, these folk tales are the distilled teachings of Korean culture, brimming with profound knowledge and timeless wisdom. They are a pleasure to read, filled with universal themes of virtue, cleverness, and the eternal struggle between good fortune and human effort. Perfect for readers of all ages, these tales are not only entertaining but also serve as a bridge to understanding the values and traditions of Korea. At the heart of this collection is a mission to preserve the invaluable cultural inheritance that these stories represent. Folk tales are the foundation of human storytelling, offering a unique window into the values, fears, and aspirations of a people. Understanding a culture is best done through the stories it tells, and in this volume, you’ll find a rich tapestry of Korean tradition, ready to be passed down and cherished for generations to come. A Must-Have for Any Library or Bookshelf We envision this collection as a treasure that any library or bookshelf can hold and pass on to future generations—so they too can be inspired and draw teachings from our ancestors' stories. Whether you’re a lover of mythology, a seeker of wisdom, or a parent wanting to introduce your children to the wonders of storytelling, this book is an essential addition to your collection. Key Features: Timeless Korean Folklore: Immerse yourself in the rich folklore of Korea, with stories that have been passed down through generations, capturing the essence of the country’s cultural heritage. Perfect for All Ages: With stories that are as entertaining as they are educational, this collection is suitable for readers young and old, offering something for everyone. Cultural Insight: Gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture and values through interpretations and analyses of the folk tales that have shaped the nation’s identity. Beautifully Crafted: Designed to be a timeless keepsake, this book is a treasure that will enhance any personal library or bookshelf. Folk Tales from Korea is more than just a book; it’s a journey into the heart of a culture, a celebration of the art of storytelling, and a preservation of a priceless cultural heritage. Add this volume to your collection today and become a part of the timeless tradition of folk tales that continue to inspire and teach us about the world and ourselves.

Fifty-five delightful tales offering fascinating windows into the Korean psyche. Told with wit and pathos, this lively collection of Korean fables features the ever-iconic tiger, the humble woodcutter, clueless brides, clever talking rabbits, mischievous mice and other engaging characters in situations where folly, wisdom, greed, love, reward and retribution are all found in equal measure. Fantasy and reality merge in a world where supernatural occurrences are commonplace. A blind man can suddenly see evil spirits. A spoiled child is taught a lesson by a sassy mouse. A menagerie of creatures — too clever for their own good — possess the same foibles as humans. Amongst the many stories and characters you will meet: The Tiger and the Rabbit — In which a baby rabbit outsmarts a greedy, foolish tiger A Korean Cinderella Tale — Where a magical a creature or two help an oppressed but virtuous girl to win in the end The Magic Hood — About how magic, if used for ill purposes, can lead to big trouble Rice from a Cat's Fur — In which a devoted cat keeps a family from going hungry and brings them prosperity And forty other enchanting tales! This collection is unparalleled in its scope and is the perfect introduction to Korea's rich storytelling tradition — containing classic legends and fables that will delight young and old alike!

Thirteen traditional tales from "The Land of the Morning Calm."

Everyday folk and fairy tales from Korea with magicians, magistrates, mischievous creatures and devious sprites. Organized into four sections – Love, Marriage & Family, Powerful Spirits & Mystical Realms, The Magical & the Supernatural, Tales of Animals & Mythical Creatures – this delightful collection gathers together the misadventures of the poor and the rich alike, the heart-warming and the cautious warning tales of everyday life, with folk stories such as Hyung Bo and Nahl Bo, or, The Swallow-King's Rewards, The Magic Invasion of Seoul, The King of the Flowers, The Unmannerly Tiger, Tokgabi and His Pranks and Prince Sandalwood, the Father of Korea. FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic and the mythic.

A collection of twenty traditional Korean legends and folktales.

This is an historical survey of all the religious traditions of Korea in relation to the socio-cultural trends of seven different periods of Korean history. The book includes a discussion of the history of the study of religion in Korea, a chronological description of Korean folk religion including shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, Islam, and Korean New Religions, and some final observations about the unique characteristics of religious beliefs and practices in Korea.

This book contains 175 tales drawn equally from the ancient and modern periods of Korea, plus 16 further tales provided for comparative purposes. Nothing else on this scale or depth is available in any western language. Three broad classes of material are included: foundation myths of ancient states and clans, ancient folktales and legends, modern folktales. Each narrative contains information on its source and provenance, and on its folklore type, similarities to folklore types from China, Japan and elsewhere.

Korea – the “Land of the Morning Calm” – has folklore second to none. Korea’s symbol is the tiger, who appears in Korean folklore in many disguises, from a mother to an old man offering hospitality. Indeed, a familiar figure in Korean folklore is the ordinary person who is alarmed to discover that a person in the same room is really a tiger in disguise! Stories of that kind have entertained and instructed Koreans for thousands of years. And the stories still have much to teach people today, no matter where one lives. Here are thirty-five Korean folktales, retold for a modern, Western audience. They reflect the unique – and sometimes cynical – viewpoints of people in one of the world’s oldest civilizations. But one need not be familiar with Korea already to enjoy and learn from these stories. From Alaska to Zanzibar, human nature and behavior are pretty much the same. So readers everywhere will find useful knowledge in these ancient tales ... such as how to recognize a tiger in disguise! Stories retold here have been changed in certain ways to appeal to a modern, Western audience caught up in today’s business culture. For a guide to sources of original stories in English translation, please see the list of readings at the end of the book. You will meet some new personalities here. You also will encounter, in Korean costume, some old friends you have known under different names for many years, including one beloved figure from American folklore whom you probably never expected to find in the Land of the Morning Calm! And never far away is a tiger in disguise! So as you read this book, on the subway or bus or wherever, you may find yourself wondering: is that a tiger in disguise sitting next to you?

"Ghost stories, legends, supernatural romances, fables, animal and trickster tales -- this is an enthralling, eminently readable collection for anyone who wants to understand the fascinating world of Korean folklore. Heinz Insu Fenkl, an award-winning memoirist, novelist, translator, and scholar, draws on village storytelling traditions and old classics to bring to life these tales from his homeland. Fenkl's wonderful retellings conjure the dreams and visions of a rich cultural legacy infused with drama, mystery, humor, and poignant human dilemmas. What Italo Calvino did for Italian folktales and Jack Zipes did for Grimms' fairy tales in America, master storyteller Heinz Insu Fenkl achieves for Korean folklore." -- Publisher's description.