Welcome! KITORA tumulus

Brief description of Kitora Tumulus

109The size of Kitora Tumulus indicates construction at the end of the Kofun period.

The Asuka period was a time of simplified burials.
Compared to previous eras, tombs became smaller in scale and their contents simpler.

Simplified burials meant the simplification of funerary acts as a whole. Asuka period tombs thus had smaller mounds compared to those of previous times. Stone chambers also became smaller, compact and lightweight wooden coffins replaced the heavy stone ones used until then, and burial goods changed while declining in quantity.

◎A comparison of the sizes of Daisen Tumulus (Emperor Nintoku’s mausoleum) and Kitora Tumulus

First half to the mid-5th century Daisen Tumulus (Emperor Nintoku’s mausoleum)

Shape: Keyhole-shaped mound
Size: Length, 486 m; height, 35 m
Coffin material: Stone Tomb perimeter: Moated

End of the 7th to the start of the 8th centuries Kitora Tumulus

Shape: Circular mound
Size: Diameter, 9.4 m (top tier) and 13.8 m ( bottom tier); height, just over 4 m (estimated)
Coffin material: Wood
Perimeter: No moat

The Kofun (Tomb) period, which began with huge keyhole-shaped mounds, came to an end around the time Kitora Tumulus was built.

Brief description of Kitora Tumulus: 101About Kitora Tumulus; 102About the Kitora Tumulus Special Historic Site; 103The mystery of who lies buried in Kitora Tumulus; 104◎The mound of Kitora Tumulus was made by tamping down soil in multiple layers with the rammed earth method.; 105◎This stone sealed the entrance to the burial chamber. A hole made by looting in the Kamakura period is at top left.; 106◎The origin of the name "Kitora"; 107The inside of the stone chamber is unexpectedly small, measuring 1.2 m high, by 1.0 m wide and 2.4 m long.; 108Kitora Tumulus embodies the concept of the four directional deities.; 109The size of Kitora Tumulus indicates construction at the end of the Kofun period.; 110Ancient Japanese culture derived from the cultures of East Asia.; 111Comparing Kitora Tumulus with Takamatsuzuka Tumulus; 112The ceiling of the stone chamber of Kitora Tumulus displays a precisely drawn celestial map.; 113The four directional deities of Kitora Tumulus are so realistic they seem to move.; 114Paintings of Chinese zodiac images with animal heads on human bodies have been found only at Kitora Tumulus among all tomb murals in Japan.; 115Various tumulus shapes

History of studies and research on Kitora Tumulus: 201It all began with word from a local resident.; 202The inside of the stone chamber is investigated without excavating.; 203Researchers lay their eyes on the murals for the first time.; 204The challenge is how to protect murals that would disintegrate if left as they are.; 205A photo map of 1,200 images is created.; 206First, new methods must be devised.; 207The daily challenge of handling the thin plaster.; 208Unraveling Kitora's mysteries from surviving materials.; 209The murals' beautiful appearance is restored using modern technology.; 210The tomb returns to its quiet sleep.

Immigrant culture and ancient Asuka: 301Who were the immigrants?; 302Lifestyle of the immigrants; 303The first immigrant to settle in Asuka was Hinokuma no Tami no Tsukai Hakatoko.; 304The remains of a foreign lifestyle are visible at the Hinokuma site group and environs.; 305Hinokuma temple is thought to have been the temple of the distinguished immigrant family, Yamato no Aya.

Other tumuli and cultural facilities within a 4 km radius of Kitora Tumulus: 401Other tumuli and cultural facilities within a 4 km radius of Kitora Tumulus