Imperial Household Agency: Yamanobenomichi-no-Magari-no-Oka-no-E-no-Misasagi (Mausoleum of Emperor Sujin)
Location
Tenri, Nara
Shape
Keyhole-shaped mound
Mound length
242 m
Period
Early 4th 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. The Imperial Household Agency identifies it as Emperor Sujin's mausoleum.
Finds & research
Cylindrical haniwa are known. The internal burial facility and grave goods remain unverified because the site is an Imperial mausoleum. Investigations have accompanied maintenance works such as moat-bank revetment, but these did not excavate the burial core.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
The Imperial Household Agency designates and manages it as Yamanobenomichi-no-Magari-no-Oka-no-E Mausoleum of Emperor Sujin, the 10th emperor, and classifies it as a keyhole mound.
Attribution (jitei): the Imperial Household Agency's determination of whose tomb it manages — separate from heritage designation.
Archaeological view
A 242m keyhole mound at Yanagimoto, Tenri. Tenri City dates it to the early 4th century. The occupant has not been archaeologically verified.
Field notes
The Imperial Household Agency gives access as about a 12-minute walk from JR Yanagimoto Station. Worship is generally 8:30–17:00, and the mound is closed. The goryoin (mausoleum seal) is kept at the Unebi Mausolea Office in Kashihara, Nara, where visitors can use it free of charge (reception 8:30–17:00; staff may be unavailable on weekends, holidays, 29 Dec–3 Jan and some other days).