A nationally rare double-square mound about 200m east of Empress Suiko's mausoleum at Yamada in Taishi. Recent excavation clarified its mound structure, two chambers with short passages and their sarcophagi, and an unusual approach path in front of the east chamber.
Finds & research
Each of the east and west chambers contains one house-shaped sarcophagus with a hollowed body and a single-piece barrel-shaped lid. Details of grave goods and the occupants are unknown.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
It was designated a National Historic Site on 28 November 1956, and the designated area was expanded on 16 October 2019. Taishi Town is carrying out conservation work.
Archaeological view
A double-square mound 69m long and 35m wide. Two square upper mounds stand on a rectangular lower platform; each contains a matching horizontal stone chamber and a hollowed-out, house-shaped sarcophagus of Mount Nijo tuff with a barrel-shaped lid. It was built in the mid-7th century.
Field notes
Taishi Town currently states that the site is closed to visitors during conservation work. Check the town's latest information for reopening.