at the eagle record pass

Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater, New York City October 19, 2018

The ancient Korean poem, At the Eagle Record Pass, is attributed to the wife of Pak Chesang, a fifth-century minister of King Noolchi (sometimes written as “Nulchi” or “Nulji”) who was sent to Wa (ancient Japan) to rescue the king’s brother, Prince Misahun of Silla. Misahun was being held hostage there after a battle. The rescue was successful, but Pak was captured and tortured to death. Pak’s wife only learned of his departure after he had left. She followed him as far as the Eagle Record Pass, where a shrine stands now to commemorate her devotion. The poem is most likely written by an anonymous poet who wrote it to honor her memory. (Notes on the history of this poem are taken from Girgsby’s text as well as from Chizuko T. Allen’s “Prince Misahun: Silla against Wa in the Early Fifth Century”.)