Final answer:
The Song of P'eng-ya may be an ancient Korean poem, with a unique structure akin to Japanese waka, potentially linked to a Silla general's victory celebration after quashing a revolt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Song of P'eng-ya is a unique piece of literature that potentially originated from the Silla period in Korean history. Scholar Lee suggests that its unusual syllable count that resembles the 5-7-5-7-7 structure could indicate an early form of verse similar to Japanese waka, possibly developing during that era. As the Song of P'eng-ya does not conform to known verse forms, it stands out in the literary context of the time.
Insight into the poem's background is garnered through historical records, particularly the Samguk sagi, which documents multiple revolts between 768 and 780. Lee's theory presents the narrator as a general from Silla who may have composed or recited the poem to commemorate a victory over a rebellion. The discovery of the tablet in an artificial pond inside the palace—a location for banquets—further supports the notion that the poem could have been an accompaniment to a celebratory feast, highlighting a military triumph.