뉴스레터

Photo: Archery played on horseback in a Deokheung-ri ancient tomb mural

A scene of Masahi, the sport of archery played on horseback, is painted on the upper left corner of the western wall of the burial chamber of the mural tomb in Deokheung-ri, South Pyeongan Province, North Korea.

The painting features a total of seven figures: four players on horseback, and three on their feet, who are supposedly the referees of the game. The two players in the lower part of the painting are depicted shooting at the targets mounted on top of the five poles in total. The other two players in the upper part of the painting appear to be getting ready for the game or done with it.

The common features of the figures on the painting are: black geons around their heads (gun: a type of hat with a band of cloth to be tied around the head) and narrow-sleeved jeogoris (jeogori: a Korean traditional jacket) and narrow-legged pants with a band tied around their waists for ease of movement. The one on the far left of the three referees appears to be taking note of the players' scores. The one player in the lower left corner of the painting has the Parthian style of riding and shooting arrows to the rear ("Parthian shot"). Note the interesting detail of the horse which, like the player himself, is depicted with its head turned backwards.

This scene captures the dynamic spirit of the mounted warriors of Koguryo who spent their time hunting and archery training on horseback because horses were what gave them with small size the upper hand in battles in the mountainous terrain.