Northeast Asian History Network

Military attaché in the procession on the eastern wall of the antechamber 01

This is a detailed view of a mounted military attaché in the procession on the eastern wall of the antechamber in Tokhung-ri Tomb. This military attaché can be seen leading the horse carriage in the second line (from the top) of the procession.
He is wearing a Chaek (headwear) featuring a cone-shaped point with a white Jeogori (traditional Korean upper garment) and trousers. The collars, sleeves, and trims have been treated with Seons (accents on garments mimicking the black feathers on a crane’s neck or wingtips, influenced by Siberian shamanism). In addition to the decorative effect, the Seon also has a practical purpose of preventing wear. A partial translation of the degraded inscription in front of the military attaché indicates that this figure was a Sama (Minister of War; literally "controls horses") in Provincial Governor Jin's Government House.
In stark contrast to the heavy steps of the Gaemamusa (iron-armored lancer) horses, the civil servant's horse seems very light-footed. The horse's legs are too slender for its body, making its overall appearance rather odd. The red-furred horse is known as a Jeoktoma (red stallion; not to be confused with the legendary Red Hare owned by the Chinese General Lü Bu).