Northeast Asian History Network

Western Wall of the Main Chamber - Young Man

This is a detailed view of the young man depicted on the western wall of the main chamber in Susahn-ri Tomb. He is wearing a Geon (a type of ancient headwear that wraps around the entire head and tied in the back, similar to a bandanna) around his head, a long Jeogori (traditional Korean upper garment), and wide-legged trousers referred to as Daegugo. He can be seen wearing long boots with pointed toes.
The young man’s Geon was primarily worn by valets or the lower-class during the Koguryo era. Thus, this figure could be mistaken for a valet. However, Geons were also worn by nobility for hunting or other outdoor activities, so headwear alone is insufficient evidence to claim this man as a valet.
The neckline, sleeves, and bottom hemline of the young man's Jeogori feature Seons (accents on garments mimicking the black feathers on a crane’s neck or wingtips, influenced by Siberian shamanism). The additional of thin, red fabric at the neckline, sleeves, and waist add a bit of splendor to his otherwise monotonous attire. This image is a valuable resource for understanding how double-Seons were utilized to distinguish between nobility and commoners. The wide-legged trousers known as Daegugo feature elaborate polka dot patterns unlike the typical solid-color trousers. Depictions of these polka-dotted textiles began to emerge in Koguryo mural tombs from the Pyongyang region after Koguryo transferred its capital to Pyongyang.
The front panels of Jeogoris (traditional Korean upper garment) were worn left to the right in a style known as U-im (Korean style for wearing traditional Hanbok; literally "panel right"). Although the opposite Jwa-im (literally "panel left") style was traditionally worn in Koguryo, both styles gained wide acceptance after U-im was introduced in the region by the Han Chinese. The plump face, flowing attire, and balanced proportions provide viewers with a glimpse of high-level Koguryo artistry.
Similar to the nobleman, the young man's hands are depicted not in a Gongsu posture (left hand placed above the right in a gesture of respect or submission), but in a Buddha-like pose. His moderately-plump appearance and spectacular attire exude a sense of Koguryo aristocracy.