The Study Of Koguryo Murals Tombs In Okdo-ri

With the title of The Study of the Koguryo Murals Tombs in Okdo-ri, this paper is a special study on the recent-discovered murals tombs in Okdo-ri. Based on the collection, categorization, comparison and analysis of over 120 specimens collected from Koguryo murals tombs, with studies of historical literature and archeological typology, a comprehensive study of the murals tombs in Okdo-ri considering the system of the tomb, the contents and themes of the murals, epochal and regional characters and the age of the murals tomb is conducted.Chapter one is the introduction to the purpose and significance of this paper, and it also provides the status of relevant studies as well as this paper’s study approaches and its renovation. Chapter two is about a general statement of discoveries and researches on Koguryo murals tombs. According to the distribution of Koguryo murals tombs and its chronological order, it states seperately the explorations, and profound discoveries in Koguryo murals tombs both around Jian and Huanren in China and Pyongyang DPRK. It particularly cosnstructs a framework on the collections of profound discoveries since WWⅡ and the number and the distribution. This chapter also analyzes the researches at home and abroad on Koguryo murals tombs since early 20th century with concentration on their viewpoints, characters and significances. Chapter three probes into the age of the murals tombs in Okdo-ri with tomb system in consideration. The murals tombs in Okdo-ri is considered to be constructed at about 5th century as a result of a comparison among 8 tombs which are all with shrines and two burial chambers, the murals tombs in Okdo-ri included. Chapter four gives a further study on the age of the mural tombs in Okdo-ri with the contents and the themes of the murals in consideration. With analyses, it is discovered that the themes of the murals in the murals tombs in Okdo-ri are centered on the funeral of the tomb owner with the scenes of condolences, funeral and ceremony. Chapter five discusses the classes the charictars of the tomb owner and the relative ages of the murals tomb in Okdo-ri. It is considered that the rank of the tomb owner should be a member of the royal family over rank 3 and its age should about the murals tomb in Tokhung-ri (moving capital to Pyongyang). Chapter six draws a conclusion of this paper and the studies of its significance.