Welcome! KITORA tumulus

Brief description of Kitora Tumulus

115Various tumulus shapes

The shapes and sizes of tombs varied according to the age, the persons interred, and so forth, but they all had burial facilities inside a mound made by piling soil or stones.

Keyhole-shaped tombs
The 44 largest tombs in Japan are all keyhole-shaped.
Gojono Maruyama Tumulus in Kashihara City is of this type.

Square tombs
This type was built throughout the Kofun (Tomb) period.
Miyakozuka Tumulus, located nearby Ishibutai Tumulus, is of this type.

Round tombs
This type is seen in large numbers throughout Japan. The size ranges from 2–3 m in diameter to over 100 m. Kitora Tumulus is of this type.

Dome-shaped, square-based tombs
This unusual type consists of a round mound placed on top of a square tomb. It was made around the end of the Kofun period. Ishibutai Tumulus is thought to have been of this type.

Octagonal tombs
This is another type built near the end of the Kofun period. It is seen in the Kinki region where it was used for tombs of the imperial family; the mausoleum of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jito is of this type.

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