Imok (rain-bringing imugi)

Overview

Imok brings rain during drought despite a heavenly prohibition. A monk protects him beneath stone flooring and directs the pursuing messenger toward a tree instead. Imok survives and continues helping people from his pond.

The museum relates this legend to Boyangimok in Samgungnyusa while noting regional pond names. This particular being remains below, unlike accounts of imugi ascending to heaven. The source distinguishes written and oral forms of the name; its proposed etymology is an interpretation, not a settled linguistic conclusion.

Origins & earliest records

Korean oral and written tradition; named museum synthesis

Records & interpretation

Complete museum entry read; cited earlier texts are identified through its bibliography and have not yet been independently read for this entry.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Literature

   National Folk Museum of Korea; English translation Jung Ha-yun · 2014

   Imugi Brings Rain (비 내린 이무기), p. 141

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Museum scholarly encyclopediaNational Folk Museum of Korea (2014), Imugi Brings Rain (비 내린 이무기), p. 141Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.