Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) is a history book of 50 volumes of which Bongi, or Main Texts, is regarded as particularly important because it contains records of main historical events arranged in a chronological order including the myths around the foundation, rise and fall of the three early Korean kingdoms, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, and the succession of their rulers. The book was compiled by a Goryeo scholar-statesman Kim Bu-sik in 1154, and is regarded as one of the most important source material for the study of the ancient Korean history. As Korea’s earliest remaining history book compiled under the patronage of the state, the book had set a good example for the history books that followed it.

This book, The Silla Annals of the Samguk Sagi, is a translation of the Main Text (Bongi) of Silla in the Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) by Professor Edward J. Shult in The University of Hawaii, a widely admired specialist in the ancient Korean history. The book is based on The Revised and Enlarged Edition of The History of the Three Kingdoms which began to be published in 2010, and hence reflects the results of the latest in-depth researches. It is expected to provide valuable resources for overseas researchers seeking to expand the scope of their study on ancient Korean history.

Shultz Edward J

Edward J. Shultz is currently Dean of the School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is also a professor of Asian Studies and in charge of international programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Professor Shultz received his AB at Union College in New York and his MA and PhD from the University of Hawaii. His first introduction to Asia came through serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer to Korea. As a graduate student he was an East-West Center grantee as well as a Fulbright pre-doctoral scholar. He has lived in both Korea and Japan for extended times, and has also traveled in China. He has experienced international exchange as a student, a professor and an administrator. Prof. Shultz’s major focus of research is Koryŏ history with a special interest in social, institutional, and political history. He takes great interest in all things Koryŏ, and Korean history in general and is the former director of the Center for Korean Studies. His recent publications include Generals and Scholars in Medieval Korea, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2000.

Kang Hugh H.W