World
Cultural Heritage
Koguryo Tomb Murals
I
COMOS -
K
orea
Cultural Properties Administration
Edited by Kim Lena
When Koguryo ruled East Asia
two thousand years ago, great tombs and
murals of magnificent scale were created.
Such works of art depicted the lifestyles
and philosophy of the modern Koreans’ ancestors
in the Koguryo period.
These works are now designated as
World Cultural Heritage
sites and are treasures that each
and every one of us should preserve.
Representative Tomb Murals
Koguryo, An East Asian Hegemon
by Im Ki-hwan
Evolution of Koguryo Tomb Murals
by Jeon Ho-tae
Koguryo Tombs: Past and Present
by Kang Hyun-sook
1. Anak Tomb No. 3
2. Dongmyeongwang Tomb
3. Anak Tomb No. 1
4. Deokheungri Tomb
5. Yaksuri Tomb
6. Yonggang Daemyo
7. Ssangyeongchong
8. Susanri Tomb
9. Anak Tomb No. 2
10. Deokhwari Tomb No. 1
11. Deokhwari Tomb No. 2
12. Honamri Sasinchong
13. Jinpari Tomb No. 4
14. Jinpari Tomb No. 1
15. Gangseo Daemyo
16. Gangseo Jungmyo
17.Tonggu Tomb No. 12
18. Gakjeochong
19. Muyongchong
20. Jangcheon Tomb No. 1
21. Toggu Sashinchong
22. Ohoe Tomb No. 4
23. Ohoe Tomb No. 5
Ⅰ.
Ⅱ.
Ⅲ.
Ⅳ.
98
101
105
Contents
06
12
14
18
26
32
34
40
44
48
50
54
56
58
62
68
72
74
78
82
86
90
94
4
5
Buyeo
Chaekseong
Liaoning
Naemihol
Dongbihol
Biryeolhol
Dalhol
Haseulra
Siljilguk
Bonghwangseong
Hanseong(Seoul)
Usanguk
Jolbonseong
Geumgwan Gaya
(Gimhae)
Geumseong
(Gyeongju)
Sabi
(Buyeo)
Ungjin
(Gongju)
Gyerimryeong
Jukryeong
Gyeonyaseong
Mosanseong
Koguryo
B a e k j e
G a y a
S i l l a
Tamna
Map of Ancient Koguryo Kingdom in Korean Peninsular
Guknaeseong
(Jiban)
Pyeongyangseong
Ⅰ.
Representative Mural Tombs
There are about 13,000 ancient tombs of Koguryo in the areas of Jian, China and Pyeongyang and
Anak, North Korea. Among those, the number of mural tombs is reportedly 20 in Jian, China and 80 in
North Korea. Of those mural tombs, this volume introduces 16 tombs in North Korea and 7 tombs in
China, whose murals are relatively well preserved.
1. Anak Tomb No. 3
2. Dongmyeongwang Tomb
3. Anak Tomb No. 1
4. Deokheungri Tomb
5. Yaksuri Tomb
6. Yonggangdaemyo
7. Ssangyeongchong
8. Susanri Tomb
9. Anak Tomb No. 2
10. Deokhwari Tomb No. 1
11. Deokhwari Tomb No. 2
12. Honamri Sasinchong
13. Jinpari Tomb No. 4
14. Jinpari Tomb No. 1
15. Gangseo Daemyo
16. Gangseo Jungmyo
9
3
1
13
14
2
7
6
12
10
11
4
15
16
8
5
□
Suncheon
Pyeong
yang
□
Pyeongwon
□
□
Sariwon
□
Hwangju
□
Yonggang
Anak
□
□
Jaeryeong
□
Sincheon
□
Jungwha
□
Gangseo
□
Nampo
China
2122
19
18
23
17. Tonggu Tomb No. 12
18. Gakjeochong
19. Muyongchong
20. Jangcheon Tomb No. 1
21. Toggu Sashinchong
22. Ohoe Tomb No. 4
23. Ohoe Tomb No. 5
Manpo
□
17
20
� Pyeongyang and Anak Areas
� China’s Ji’an Area
Ancient Koguryo tombs below Shanchengzi mountain city
West Sea
Apnok River
�
�
Jian City
□
North Korea
6
The entrance to the east side room
Anak Tomb No. 3
Anak Tomb No. 3
357 CE, Oguk-ri, Anak-gun, South Hwanghae Province
Anak Tomb No. 3 is one of the most important tombs of
Koguryo with dated inscriptions. The large scale of the
tomb makes it appear as an underground palace. The
mural paintings of various scenes demonstrate the national
strength and high cultural status of Koguryo and the
lifestyle of its people.
This tomb has an entrance room that leads to the
antechamber with two side-rooms on either side, then to
the main chamber at the rear. All these chambers are
connected by corridors. The portraits of the deceased
master and his wife, as well as various life scenes and
decorative motifs are vividly depicted. They serve as an
important example of figure paintings of the early phase of
Koguryo murals.
1
1. Anak Tomb No. 3
7
Ⅰ. Representative Mural Paintings
Portrait of the deceased
master of the tomb
_ West wall of the west side
room
The deceased master is depicted
frontally on the wooden bed with
curtains, and his attendants are seated
on his either side. He is wearing a
Baekna (white silk) crown with a black
inner headdress and holds a zhuwei fan
in his right hand. This scene generally
follows the rule of early figure
paintings that represent the important
figures larger than his attendants.
Portrait of the wife of
the deceased master
_ South wall of the west side
room
A plump lady is seated in a three-
quarter view facing towards the
painting of the deceased master. Three
maids, depicted much smaller, are
attending her. Their head dresses and
costumes are very decorative and
elegant.
Plan and section