뉴스레터

Cover image : Mural of a procession on the east corridor's east wall of the Anak Tomb No. 3

A mural along the east side corridor of the Anak Tomb No. 3 depicting the occupant of the tomb in procession. While the identity of the tomb's occupant has remained under debate, the painting is by far considered the finest among all the discovered murals for its detailed expression of a grand procession.

At the front of the procession are scholar-officials and military officers proceeding on horseback in rows of three with people who appear to be servants trailing behind them. The tomb's occupant is sitting on a chariot with a military band, flag bearers, and maids walking immediately ahead, all surrounded by armed infantry and cavalry on guard.

The infantry seems to be a mix of spearmen (Changsu 槍手), swordsmen (Hwandosu 還刀手), axemen (Buwolsu 斧鉞手), and archers (Gungsu 弓手). The heavily armored cavalry that mainly fights with long spears (Jungjang gibyeong 重裝騎兵) as well as an iron-armored elite Koguryo military unit wearing helmets (Gaema musa 鎧馬武士) are flanking the procession's left and right.

Despite its large scale amounting to nearly a hundred participants, the procession has been extremely well organized and stands out for displaying a unique look on each and every participant's face.

A closer look at the massive yet organized cavalcade infused with Koguryo's military power, one of the mightiest in East Asia during the fifth century, is bound to impart the formidable mettle the people of Koguryo once possessed.