Northeast Asian History Network

Western Wall of the Main Chamber - Horseman and Horse

This is a detailed view of the horseman and horse depicted on the western wall of the main chamber in Susahn-ri Tomb. This lively scene captured a tense moment in which the jumping, excited horse is being calmed by the horseman as he firmly grips the reins with his hands.
The young horseman is dressed in a Jeogori (traditional Korean upper garment) and form-fitting trousers, but he is clearly not wearing any headwear. His Jeogori features Seons (accents on garments mimicking the black feathers on a crane’s neck or wingtips, influenced by Siberian shamanism) on the neckline, sleeves, and bottom hemline. A waistband secures the loose fabric. In addition to the decorative effect, the Seon also has a practical purpose of preventing wear. Seons were essential elements of Koguryo-era attire applied to all upper garments such as the Jeogori regardless of gender, age, or social status.
The red-brown horse features well-developed muscles in a sturdy appearance and is likely to be ridden by the nobleman during his outing. A saddle can be seen on the horse’s back. The pommel and cantle of this saddle are upright and can be uncomfortable for sitting. However, these features control and protect a rider from the reciprocating motion of the horse to enhance stability when shooting at targets from horseback. In contrast to modern-day saddles, the pommel and cantle were designed to be low and flat for a comfortable ride. This scene is regarded to be a reflection of the martialistic mentality of the Koguryo people.