Views of Life and Death and Funerary Rituals in Fourth- and Fifth-Century Goguryeo Epitaphs：A Comparative Study of the Epitaphs from Anak Tomb No. 3, the Moduru Tomb, and the Deokheung-ri Mural Tomb

A comparative analysis of epitaphs from three Koguryo tombs—Anak Tomb No. 3, the Moduru Tomb, and Deokheung-ri Mural Tomb—reveals distinct ways in which death was recorded and memorialized in fourth- and fifth-century Goguryeo society. Unlike previous studies that focused solely on textual content, this research integrates spatial context and funerary environments to highlight differences in epitaph structures and functions. Anak Tomb No. 3 presents death as the culmination of a life's narrative, emphasizing individual achievements, while Moduru Tomb situates individual death within broader familial and historical continuity. Deokheung-ri Mural Tomb, however, links death more closely to funerary rituals, including the selection of auspicious dates and post-funerary blessings for descendants' prosperity. The study suggests that these variations reflect cultural backgrounds and purposes rather than direct philosophical differences, with Deokheung-ri providing unique insights into the temporal and spatial dimensions of funerary practices. Additionally, it notes that while such epitaphs offer a glimpse into Goguryeo's 'Book of the Dead,' their diversity complicates broad generalizations about societal funerary culture.

Kim, K.-s. (2026). Views of Life and Death and Funerary Rituals in Fourth- and Fifth-Century Goguryeo Epitaphs：A Comparative Study of the Epitaphs from Anak Tomb No. 3, the Moduru Tomb, and the Deokheung-ri Mural Tomb. Sillasahakpo, 67, 59–88. https://doi.org/10.65509/jshs.2026.8.67.59