The film *Exhuma* taps into a real Korean debate: were iron spikes a tool of Japanese oppression, or do they reflect deeper truths in Korean shamanic beliefs? Discover the intersection of history, myth, and spirituality.👇
1. Historical Background of Iron Spikes in *Exhuma*
1.1. The Samurai Symbolism and the Doctrine of Conquest
In *Exhuma*, the presence of samurai figures evokes the concept of *Seikanron*—Japan’s historical ideology advocating the invasion of Korea. Although *Seikanron* formally emerged during the Meiji Restoration, its roots trace back to feudal Japan. Military campaigns such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s invasions of Korea (1592–1598) reflect a long-standing Japanese perception of the Korean Peninsula as a strategic threat—likened to a “dagger aimed at the heart of Japan.”
This "dagger" metaphor, coined by a German advisor during the modernization of the Japanese army, resonated with Japanese imperialist thinking. Conversely, Koreans saw themselves as encircled and threatened by Japan—a point of view absent in Japanese military justification.
1.2. *Jingbirok* and Japanese Respect for Ryu Seong-ryong
Ryu Seong-ryong, author of *Jingbirok* (Book of Corrections), played a key administrative role during the Imjin War alongside Admiral Yi Sun-sin. *Jingbirok* later became a bestseller in Japan for over two centuries. Samurai and intellectuals studied it to understand Korea’s strategic mindset, particularly admiring Ryu’s patriotism and foresight.
Japanese militarists in the Meiji era even referenced *Jingbirok* in planning future invasions, expecting to encounter wise and loyal officials like Ryu—only to be disappointed when facing figures like Yi Wan-yong, the infamous collaborator. This gap between expectation and reality underscored their cultural fascination and disillusionment.
1.3. The Yi-Ryu Dynamic and Political Strategy
While Ryu Seong-ryong did not openly defend Admiral Yi when he faced royal punishment, this was a calculated survival tactic. Direct opposition to King Seonjo could have doomed them both. Instead, officials from other political factions, such as Jeong Tak of the Easterners, intervened using clever rhetoric to save Yi.
This shows the sophistication of Joseon-era political maneuvering. Unlike China’s Yue Fei, who was executed due to court politics, Admiral Yi was spared and reinstated—thanks in part to officials who understood royal psychology and acted accordingly.
2. Truth and Myth: The Iron Spike Controversy
2.1. Origins of the Iron Spike Legend
The notion that Japan planted iron spikes across Korea to sever geomantic energy lines became popular during Korea’s post-colonial period. During the Kim Young-sam administration in the 1990s, efforts to purge Japanese remnants reignited investigations into such claims.
However, most discovered spikes were unrelated to Japanese aggression. They served practical purposes: military rappel training by airborne units, outdated mountain trail safety installations, or land survey markers used during colonial mapping projects.
2.2. Lingering Doubts and Lack of Clear Evidence
Despite these findings, unease remains. Some iron stakes were found in remote or sacred areas without any training records or practical justification. Their size and depth exceed typical survey requirements, raising questions. Since colonial powers rarely document covert actions—especially destructive ones—skepticism persists.
While there is no definitive evidence proving malicious intent, the emotional and cultural resonance of these spikes in Korea makes the topic deeply sensitive and symbolically charged.
3. Geomancy, Shamanism, and Spiritual Interpretation
3.1. Why Iron Spikes Fit Korean Shamanic Logic
Regardless of their origin, iron spikes strongly align with traditional Korean shamanic and geomantic belief systems. In Korean geomancy (*pungsu-jiri*), identifying a spiritually potent location is key. In Korean shamanism, the act of driving a spike into such a spot can block or "seal" its energy. Thus, the combination of the two makes iron spikes spiritually significant.
3.2. The Role of Korean Shamanism
In traditional belief, disrupting the flow of *gi* (energy) from sacred sites—especially graves—could cause misfortune. A spike, particularly made of iron (a spiritually disruptive material), could symbolically "nail down" a family’s fate. This logic matches Korean shamanism but not Japanese ritual systems, which rely more on paper charms, rope, and purification practices.
3.3. Possibility of Cultural Manipulation
This opens the possibility that Japanese officials, aware of Korean spiritual beliefs, may have used Korean shamans—possibly even corrupt ones—to enact symbolic acts like spike-driving. Alternatively, local collaborators could have taken initiative, either under direct instruction or in anticipation of colonial favor. While speculative, these theories are culturally plausible and persist in Korean urban legends and creative works like *Exhuma*.
4. Reframing Our Historical Perspective
The iron spike debate is less about material proof and more about psychological trauma and cultural memory. Whether literal or metaphorical, the spikes in *Exhuma* evoke deep questions: Who controls spiritual space? Can historical wounds be healed through myth? And how do modern Koreans confront unresolved legacies?
In this sense, *Exhuma* does not merely dramatize superstition. It challenges viewers to reconsider what it means to claim and protect ancestral land—and whether ancient beliefs still resonate in a world of rationalism and technology.
