Northeast Asian History Network

Southern Wall of the Main Chamber - Gatekeeper 3

This is a detailed view of the gatekeeper directly west of the threshold depicted on the southern wall of the main chamber in Susahn-ri Tomb. This figure's attire suggests that he is of high status, unusual for a gatekeeper. Perhaps he is maintaining protocol in the nobleman's procession.
He is wearing a black military attaché Chaek (Headwear worn by civil servants and military attachés. Civil servants wore Chaeks with tops that were split in the back and curving forward. Military attachés wore Chaeks with cone-shaped points.) and a long Durumagi (traditional Korean overcoat) that hangs past his feet. His Durumagi features black Seons (accents on garments mimicking the black feathers on a crane’s neck or wingtips, influenced by Siberian shamanism) on the neckline and sleeves. 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 front panels of Durumagis (traditional Korean overcoat) were worn left to 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.
He is standing in a Gongsu stance while holding a sunshade adorned with extravagant tassels. A yellow Peseul (a front flap on court or ceremonial attire; literally "knee cover") can be seen underneath his sleeves. Peseuls were worn only by royalty or high-ranking government officials for special ceremonies and sacrificial rituals.