There is a mural tomb at the foot of a hill in Yaksu-ri, Kangso District, Nampho Municipality.
The tomb dating from the period of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668) has a chamber that consists of an inner passage, front chamber, inner chamber and corridor.
The inner passage is 1.4m long, 1.1m wide and 1.48m high, the front chamber is 2.66m long from north to south, 2.84m wide from east to west and 3.22m high, and the inner chamber is 3.42m long from north to south, 3.12m wide from east to west and 3.5m high.
There is a bier and a rectangular altar in the chamber.
Murals were painted on all the walls and the ceilings of the front and inner chambers, except for a triangular supporting part.
Rough sketches were drawn and painted to create murals.
Most of the murals depict figures, customs and manners, plus four guardians of imaginary animals defending the north, south, east and west.
The murals in the inner chamber portray the indoor life of the couple buried there and the four guardians.
What stands out in the murals is the pictures showing a magnificent procession of a nobleman of Koguryo, a large-scale hunting, as well as a stable, kitchen, watermill, gate-keeping warriors and cowshed.
The northern wall of the front chamber has a picture of a fort showcasing the contemporary fort system and architectural style. The scene of hunting shows some people going hunting while beating drums and blowing horns, and shooting games.
According to old records, a large-scale hunting contest took place in spring and autumn in Koguryo. In this regard, the mural seems to be about the springtime hunting contest.
The mural tomb is a precious cultural heritage item as its peculiar chamber structure and diverse and rich contents of murals give a glimpse of the might of the powerful Koguryo.
Kim Hyon
More From Naenara (En)
This year marks the third year of the implementation of the regional development policy set forth by the Workers’ Party of
April 14, 2026
This year marks the third year of the implementation of the regional development policy set forth by the Workers’ Party of
President Kim Il Sung was born and spent his childhood at a straw-thatched house in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang. In the 1860s
April 14, 2026
President Kim Il Sung was born and spent his childhood at a straw-thatched house in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang. In the 1860s
On the occasion of the 114th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung , the 34th April Spring Friendship Art Festival is being
April 14, 2026
On the occasion of the 114th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung , the 34th April Spring Friendship Art Festival is being
The quarterfinals between the DPRK team and the Australian team for the 2026 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup took place in Thailand on
April 14, 2026
The quarterfinals between the DPRK team and the Australian team for the 2026 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup took place in Thailand on
From olden times the Korean people have made diverse kinds of dishes with mussels and used them in their dietary life. One of them
April 14, 2026
From olden times the Korean people have made diverse kinds of dishes with mussels and used them in their dietary life. One of them
The DPRK has introduced an emergency medical service control system to make a positive contribution to protecting the lives and
April 13, 2026
The DPRK has introduced an emergency medical service control system to make a positive contribution to protecting the lives and
There is a song which adds fresh vigour to the advancing spirit of the Korean people who are opening up a broad avenue of comprehe
April 13, 2026
There is a song which adds fresh vigour to the advancing spirit of the Korean people who are opening up a broad avenue of comprehe
Photo exhibitions are going on in all provinces (municipalities) of the DPRK in the run-up to the 114th birth anniversary of
April 13, 2026
Photo exhibitions are going on in all provinces (municipalities) of the DPRK in the run-up to the 114th birth anniversary of
The 79th enlarged meeting of the National Sports Guidance Committee took place on April 10. The meeting was chaired by Ri Il Hwan,
April 12, 2026
The 79th enlarged meeting of the National Sports Guidance Committee took place on April 10. The meeting was chaired by Ri Il Hwan,
The Sixth Sweets and Biscuit Sculpture Show took place at the Chongnyu Restaurant from April 8 to 10 on the occasion of the April
April 12, 2026
The Sixth Sweets and Biscuit Sculpture Show took place at the Chongnyu Restaurant from April 8 to 10 on the occasion of the April
A Pyongyang international tourist souvenirs and health goods exhibition opened. Presented to the exhibition are various kinds of
April 12, 2026
A Pyongyang international tourist souvenirs and health goods exhibition opened. Presented to the exhibition are various kinds of
Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and foreign minister of the
April 12, 2026
Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and foreign minister of the
Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and foreign minister of the
April 12, 2026
Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and foreign minister of the
Great efforts are being made in the sports field to put the country’s physical culture on a higher stage. The Ministry of
April 12, 2026
Great efforts are being made in the sports field to put the country’s physical culture on a higher stage. The Ministry of
April 12 is International Day of Human Space Flight. Space science and technology has made remarkable progress over 60-odd years
April 12, 2026
April 12 is International Day of Human Space Flight. Space science and technology has made remarkable progress over 60-odd years
Mt Myohyang is one of the most celebrated mountains in the DPRK. It has been so called from olden times for its curious and
April 12, 2026
Mt Myohyang is one of the most celebrated mountains in the DPRK. It has been so called from olden times for its curious and
The General Bureau of the Tanchon Area Mining Industry has achieved great successes in the work to readjust and reinforce its
April 11, 2026
The General Bureau of the Tanchon Area Mining Industry has achieved great successes in the work to readjust and reinforce its
Forsythia densiflora , a deciduous shrub belonging to the family Oleaceae , grows on the northern slope of Mt Jangsu in South Hwan
April 11, 2026
Forsythia densiflora , a deciduous shrub belonging to the family Oleaceae , grows on the northern slope of Mt Jangsu in South Hwan
A national art exhibition opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 114th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung . On display at the
April 11, 2026
A national art exhibition opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 114th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung . On display at the
A national seminar took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on April 9 to deeply grasp and thoroughly implement
April 11, 2026
A national seminar took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on April 9 to deeply grasp and thoroughly implement
More Articles
