- Koguryo and Balhae
- Anak Tomb No. 3
Koguryo and Balhae
| Title | Southern Wall of the Western Auxiliary Chamber - Portrait of the Deceased - Visor | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Southern Wall of the Western Auxiliary Chamber - Portrait of the Deceased - Visor
This is a detailed view of the visor depicted on the southern wall of the western auxiliary chamber in Anak Tomb No. 3. Although the object resembles a fan, it is in fact a type of visor prevalent in ancient China known as a Pyeon-myeon (literally "face convenience"). The name is interpreted to mean "gain comfort by covering the face." It is sometimes referred to as Byeong-myeon (literally “face screen”). The Pyeon-myeon was used by female aristocrats to cover their face from strangers as a display of social etiquette and formalities. The handle is made from bamboo, and each individual node was expressed by the artist.