고구려 장천1호분 연구

Abstract

The tomb structure and mural contents suggest strongly that the construction date for Jangcheon Tomb No.1 is no later than mid-5th century. Although Guknaeseong lost its privilege as the capital after it moved to Pyeongyang in 427 A.C.E., its status as the center of traditional culture in Koguryo was maintained without much change. This is because while Koguryo’s tradition, religion, and ceremonies were established, maintained, and developed, Guknaeseong stood at the center of hte process. When Buddhism enters and settles in Koguryo, Guknaeseong was its starting point. Despite the fact that Pyeongyang began to be developed as the center of national social culture and Buddhist culture during King Gwanggaeto’s reign, its original cultural characteristics did not change for a long time. Because Pyeongyang culture was very diverse including different elements from the Han and other foreign cultures with weaker strand of Koguryo traditions, it took a time for Buddhist culture to enter Pyeongyang. In Guknaeseong region where Koguryo traditional culture had long developed unlike Pyeongyang, Buddhist culture becomes the new and important cultural trend as a result of national encouragement of Buddhism. The lotus pattern tomb mural that was popular centered on Guknaeseong in mid-5th century stems from such cultural trend. Jangcheon Tomb No.1 is a good example that shows in detail the change in Koguryo people’s view of afterlife when Buddhist culture flourished around Guknaeseong region. Jangcheon Tomb No.1 reflects the kind of cultural and material exchange between Koguryo and Chinese Northern Dynasty and Inner Asian Nomadic Empire Yenyen. The Central Asian element that frequently appear in Jangcheon No.1 Tomb murals show that not only did Koguryo came into contact with Central Asian culture through Northern Wei but also that it had direct exchange with Central Asia through Yenyen. Tath gata and Boddhisattva that retain the Gandhara style in Jangcheon Tomb No.1 supports the idea that Buddhist culture entered Koguryo directyl from Central Asia. Jangcheon Tomb No.1 also suggests that Koguryo people understood and analyzed Buddhist ideas based on traditional values and concepts. The Couple Reincarnation in Lotus Blossom is a representative example. Jangcheon Tomb No.1m ural is organized so the viewer first goes through a lotus-decorated space into the world only of lotus blossoms. Such composition of elements allowed lotus blossoms and buds to function not only as decorative patterns but also as a tool to control the density of the frame and define the spacial characteristics. Jangcheon Tomb No.1 is a detailed pictorial record of the process of Buddhist religion and cultuer’s introduction, spread, and establishment in Guknaeseong region during the first half of the fifth century.