Imperial Household Agency: Fusumada Mausoleum of Princess Tashiraka
Location
Tenri, Nara
Shape
Keyhole-shaped mound
Mound length
230 m
Period
Late 3rd c.
Designation
IHA-managed tomb
IHA designation
Managed by the IHA (mound closed to the public)
Overview
A large early keyhole mound in the Oyamato Kofun Group.
Finds & research
Cylindrical haniwa were reported from the 1992–1994 investigations, and special pedestal-shaped vessels from Imperial Household Agency work. The internal burial facility and grave goods are unknown.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
The Imperial Household Agency designates and manages it as Fusumada Mausoleum of Princess Tashiraka, empress of Emperor Keitai, the 26th emperor.
Attribution (jitei): the Imperial Household Agency's determination of whose tomb it manages — separate from heritage designation.
Archaeological view
An approximately 230m keyhole mound straddling Kayo and Nakayama, Tenri (the Imperial Household Agency report gives a lot number in the Nishitonozuka section of Nakayama), thought to date to the first half of the Early Kofun period in the late 3rd century. The 1992–1994 investigations took place around the mound. The occupant is unknown. The Fukui prefectural history (Fukui Kenshi) notes that the only fairly large keyhole mound of the early 6th century in the old Yamanobe district is Nishiyamazuka Kofun, and judges it highly probable that Nishiyamazuka, rather than the currently designated Nishitonozuka, is Princess Tashiraka's Fusumada tomb.
Field notes
The mound is closed as an Imperial mausoleum. View it only from surrounding public roads and other authorized areas.