• Koguryo and Balhae
  • Tokhung-ri Tomb
Joist
TitleJoist
Joist on the western wall of the antechamber 01
zoom
Joist on the western wall of the antechamber 02
zoom

This is a detailed view of the joist (symbolizing the boundary between heaven and earth) on the western wall of the antechamber in Tokhung-ri Tomb. The joist is an architectural element used in the construction of wooden buildings, and tombs often depicted joists to convey the sense of being in an actual house.
Oddly-shaped cloud patterns resembling plant vines are decorated on the joist. Unlike the oddly-shaped cloud patterns painted on the joists on the southern and northern walls, this joist on the western wall has a brown background with black ink lines. The same brown background and black ink line treatment can be seen on the opposite eastern wall. This composition demonstrates the tomb's methodical symmetry. The pattern itself is more similar to arabesque than oddly-shaped clouds. Although certain decorations reflect elements from real-life houses, the cloud patterns imply that the tomb belongs to the spiritual world and is a space for the deceased and not the living.
Generally, only ancient wooden structures such as Buddhist temples or the royal palace featured vibrant colors. These patterns decorated on the columns and joists in the tomb can be viewed as the beginning of Korea's use of diverse colors.

페이지 상단으로 이동하기