• Koguryo and Balhae
  • Tokhung-ri Tomb
Western Wall of the Antechamber
TitleWestern Wall of the Antechamber
Western wall of the antechamber
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Western wall of the antechamber(Illustration)
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This is a complete view of the mural on the eastern wall of the antechamber in Tokhung-ri Tomb. The mural is separated into heaven and earth by the decorative joist that spans the antechamber wall. Its primary motifs include the procession, tributes by the 13-county prefects, and the depiction of the government house. The heavens are represented by the Sun, Moon, and Stars & celestial objects, immortals, auspicious animals, cloud patterns and flame patterns.
The western wall of the antechamber features only the 13-county prefects as the subject matter for real-world imagery. The mural is divided horizontally into two frames, and the 13-county prefects are lined up within the frames. All prefects are facing towards Youzhou Provincial Governor Jin with their upper bodies leaning forward in a display of reverence. This depiction of the 13-county prefects, also known as the Depiction of the Affairs of State, is the primary subject matter in the antechamber in conjunction with the procession spanning the eastern, northern, and western walls. As the procession on the eastern wall spans across the northern and southern walls, the depiction of the 13-county prefects on the western wall must also be considered together with the northern and southern walls for a more accurate analysis.
The ceiling of the antechamber (northern wall) includes depictions of Cassiopeia, Corona Borealis, Venus, the moon superimposed with a toad, auspicious animals, and immortals. Vibrant cloud-pattern decorations in the five cardinal colors enhance the imaginative depiction of the heavens. Buddhist flame patterns can be seen above the joist (symbolizing the boundary between heaven and earth) and on the sides of parallel supporting stones at the peak of the ceiling.

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