Goguryeo: In Search of Its Culture

by Ho-Tae Jeon

Goguryeo tomb murals, now a registered UNESCO World Heritage, are an important part of Korea s cultural heritage and an historic record of the kingdom, which was one of the most powerful states in Northeast Asia 2000 years ago. The murals, which were excavated from the late third to seventh centuries in areas of Pyeongyang and Anak in North Korea and Ji'an in China, not only reflect the Goguryeo people's view on the world, the universe, and afterlife but also provide important insights into their daily life. Through this book, readers can comprehend characteristics of Goguryeo culture depicted in the Goguryeo tomb murals: individuality based on diversity, universality with originality, and openness with selectivity.

Genres: History

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Ocean G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, although it gave me the impression of a collection of writings next to museum exhibits (it isn't). The best part was probably the paintings, and it is beyond me how they could decipher some of them, seeing how faded they are. Also, it is a pity that so many of the sites are in North Korea, since we probably could have much more details about this kingdom otherwise.

I found it odd that they left a history of the kingdom to the end, rather than start with it at the beginning.

Also odd that there wasn't a section on their language. This was one of the points I'm was most curious about. Was it closer to Korean or Manchurian? A mixture? Neither of the two? I don't know. It isn't even mentioned.