Geochilbu

Geochilbu (居柒夫, ?–579) was a Buddhist monk, general, and chancellor of Silla.

It can be inferred that 居柒夫 and 荒宗 were actually pronounced as 'gyeop/gyeopbo'. 柒/七 (the Hanja for "seven") was used to represent Chieut (ㅊ), and 荒 (the Hanja for "rough") was used to represent 'gyeop'. When the final consonant of 'gyeop' is released in pronunciation, it becomes 'geochi/geoji/guji'. 朼 (the Hanja for "spoon" or "bi") was used to mark the sai-siot (사이시옷). The name '久遲布禮' (Kuchiporei), which appears in the Nihon Shoki (日本書紀), also appears to be another transcription of Geochilbu, and the alternative transcription 久禮 (Kure) seems to be an abbreviated form of 久遲布禮.

Life

In his youth, Geochilbu became a monk and traveled around the country. He went to Goguryeo and listened to lectures by Hyeryang¹, and afterward returned to Silla, entered public service, and rose to the rank of daeachan.² In July 545 (the 6th year of King Jinheung), he received royal orders and, together with scholars, compiled the Guksa; in recognition of his achievement, he was promoted to Pajinchan.³ In 551 (the 12th year of King Jinheung), he allied with Baekje and, together with eight generals, invaded Goguryeo, seizing ten commanderies north of Jungnyeong and within Gohyeon (高峴).⁴ He also returned to Silla together with the Goguryeo monk Hyeryang and had him become the first Seungtong of Silla.⁵ In 576 (the 1st year of King Jinji), he was promoted to Sangdaedeung and died at the age of 78.⁶