Northeast Asian History Network

Western Wall of the Main Chamber - Stiltwalker

This is a detailed view of the acrobat walking on stilts depicted on the western wall of the main chamber in Susahn-ri Tomb. The figure is walking on stilts longer than he is tall, and his arms are open as if dancing to the music of the band and maintaining balance.
He is wearing a Jeogori (traditional Korean upper garment) and trousers typical of Koguryo men, and his hair is split into two pigtails. His split hairstyle and lack of headwear indicates that this acrobat is a young man who is yet to be married. 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. Seons were essential elements of Koguryo-era attire applied to all upper garments such as the Jeogori regardless of gender, age, or social status. He is wearing form-fitting trousers known as Gung-go, usually worn by lower-class men. He can be seen wearing long, knee-high boots with stilts attached.
Notably, the front panel of this acrobat’s Jeogori is worn right to left in a style known as Jwa-im (Korean style for wearing traditional Hanbok; literally "panel right"), unlike the opposite U-im style worn by the nobles and servants in the procession. The Jwa-im (literally "panel left") style was traditionally worn in Koguryo, but U-im gained wide acceptance after it was introduced in the region by the Han Chinese. Both styles gained wide acceptance in Koguryo after U-im was introduced in the region by the Han Chinese.
Interestingly, the acrobat's facial expression is one of humor and contentment rather than of tension. This image is a valuable resource that shows the deep roots of stiltwalking as an ancient Koguryo-era traditional culture that is still enjoyed in the modern age.