The Purpose of Erecting Koguryo Tablet at Jian and System for Tending Royal Tomb

A new analysis of the Jian Koguryo Tablet reveals that its primary purpose was to serve as a public declaration of state oversight and punishment for violations, rather than an effective long-term management tool. The study suggests that while the tablet recorded details of 'yanhodu' (representative household heads) and their families, these records were prone to inaccuracies due to hidden evasions or sales, leading to discrepancies between official and actual household compositions. Koguryo's central government likely used the tablet to deter such behaviors through strict documentation and supervision, rather than for ongoing administrative control. The research concludes that the practice of erecting tablets over royal tombs during King Guanggaeto's reign was more of a supplementary measure to support efficient bureaucratic processes.

An, J.-j. (2020). The Purpose of Erecting Koguryo Tablet at Jian and System for Tending Royal Tomb. Wooden Documents and Inscriptions Studies, 25, 49–78. https://doi.org/10.35302/wdis.2020.12.25.49