Northeast Asian History Network

Figures playing the carrying-drum in the procession on the southern wall of the antechamber.

This is a detailed view of the scene featuring a carrying-drum in the procession on the southern wall of the antechamber in Tokhung-ri Tomb. Bands generally appear in depictions of large-scale outings on Koguryo era tomb murals to raise the morale of the procession. Such bands are categorized into marching bands that performed while walking or marching and mounted bands that performed on horseback. Similar to the large-scale depiction of a procession in Anak Tomb No. 3, both types of bands appear in Tokhung-ri Tomb, which is indicative of Youzhou Provincial Governor Jin's extremely high status. The depicted instruments can be divided into string, wind, and percussion instruments. The carrying-drum is a type of percussion instrument.
A carrying-drum is a type of percussion instrument that is held by multiple people while being played by another. The image depicts two people carrying the drum and frame on their shoulders while the drummer beats on the drum with a percussion mallet. The carrying-drum features support columns on either side to allow playing while being carried or standing on the ground. Notably, the carrying-drum was fitted with a bat-shaped canopy to protect the leather from sun and rain damage. This element perfectly conveys the ingenuity of ancient craftsman.
The drummer and his aides are wearing Geons (a type of ancient headwear that wraps around the entire head and tied in the back, similar to a bandanna), upper garments featuring Seons (accents on garments mimicking the black feathers on a crane’s neck or wingtips, influenced by Siberian shamanism), and form-fitting trousers known as Gung-gos. Although this depiction captured only key features and lacks detail, the natural movements of the musicians, especially the drummer's cheerful demeanor, convey a great sense of dynamism. Traces of red base-sketches can still be seen beneath the figures around the carrying-drum, allowing for a small glimpse of the painting techniques of the time.