Koguryo is the first feudal state of Korea which existed between 277 B.C. and A.D. 668.
Koguryo people liked horse riding, archery, practice of martial arts and physical training from their childhood.
Mural paintings of Koguryo tombs truthfully reflect the vigorous and brave character and disposition and the martial spirit of the people in those days.
Doctor and Associate Professor Im Sung Bin, Section Chief of the Folklore Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences, said the martial spirit of the Koguryo people can be found in the scenes of Ssirum (Korean wrestling), military dance and hunting drawn on the mural paintings of tombs, and continued:
"A typical example is the scene of Ssirum drawn on a mural painting of tomb. It vividly shows the wrestlers watching for a chance to contain their opponents with correct judgment, decision, agility and flexible tactics. Other mural paintings of Koguryo tombs including those in Yaksu-ri vividly depict the hunting contest intensively showing the martial spirit of Koguryo."
There was a civilian educational organ called "Kyongdang" in every village during the Koguryo Dynasty.
According to historical records, all the people of Koguryo liked learning, irrespective of caste or rank, and sent their children to "Kyongdang" for learning. There, they learned hard how to read and write, acquired knowledge of different fields including history and built up their physical strength while practising various martial arts such as archery, horse riding and swordsmanship.
In Koguryo people were estimated mainly by their martial arts, wisdom and bravery.
Whoever is good at martial arts could be appointed and perform great feats in national defence.
The mural paintings of ancient tombs and historical records show that Koguryo subordinated folk amusements and games as well as martial arts to strengthening the military muscle. They also prove that the martial spirit of Koguryo was displayed not only in the vortex of war but also as the first of their everyday life throughout its history.
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