Northeast Asian History Network

Southern Wall of the Antechamber (Eastern Section) - Detailed View of the Military Attachés

This is a detailed view of the military attachés depicted on the eastern section of the southern antechamber wall. These figures can be seen wearing military attaché Chaeks (headwear with cone-shaped point). The plain appearance of their Chaeks is in stark contrast to the adjacent civil servant Chaeks. They are wearing narrow-sleeved Jeogoris (traditional Korean upper garment) and form-fitting trousers (Gung-go) traditionally worn by military attachés. The military attaché is uniquely dressed in a white Jeogori with a waistband adorned in heart-shaped metal ornaments. This exact waistband can also be seen on the Royal Guard depicted on the western wall of the antechamber and is estimated to have been used exclusively by military attachés. As the necklines, sleeves, and hemlines of Durumagis are prone to wear, these robes were reinforced with fabric of differing color in each of these areas, thereby enhancing practicality and decoration. This distinctive feature on garments is known as a Seon.
Each figure can be seen carrying a different item. The right-most military attaché is carrying what appears to be a type of Jeol (ceremonial flag featuring pompons), followed by the figure in the center carrying a long, thin flag. The left-most military attaché is carrying a sunshade used by nobles in ancient times for sun protection, similar to a modern-day parasol. These various items can be considered valuable clues for understanding the identity of the entombed.
Interestingly, the artist ostensibly attempted a seemingly insignificant yet intelligent change in the way these military attachés were rendered. Perhaps the artist considered the process of repeatedly rendering identical figures to be monotonous and boring. The artist may have realized that, unlike civil servants, the military attaché attire consists of separate upper and lower garments. Although only two different colors may have been available for the clothing, the artist deliberately chose to alternate the colors between each figure. This simple change inserted a bit of liveliness and variety into what would otherwise be a monotonous, uniform pattern. Although the facial features of the figures are all relatively similar, the artist clearly made an effort to distinguish each civil servant by utilizing varying head shapes. Even though the artwork would be buried in complete darkness and remain hidden to all but the entombed, perhaps the artist's creativity simply could not be helped and manifested itself in the artwork.