Imperial Household Agency: Yamanobenomichi-no-E-no-Misasagi (Mausoleum of Emperor Keiko)
Location
Tenri, Nara
Shape
Keyhole-shaped mound
Mound length
300 m
Period
Late 4th c.
Designation
IHA-managed tomb
IHA designation
Managed by the IHA (mound closed to the public)
Overview
A huge keyhole mound in the Oyamato Kofun Group.
Finds & research
Moat works yielded cylindrical and parasol-shaped haniwa. The stone pillow traditionally attributed to Shibutani lacks a precise findspot and cannot be securely assigned to this mound.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
The Imperial Household Agency designates and manages it as Yamanobenomichi-no-E Mausoleum of Emperor Keiko, the 12th 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
An approximately 300m keyhole mound at Shibutani, Tenri. Moat works yielded cylindrical and parasol-shaped haniwa, and the mound is dated to the late 4th century. A stone pillow traditionally attributed to Shibutani lacks a secure findspot. The internal burial facility is unknown. The occupant has not been archaeologically verified.
Field notes
The Imperial Household Agency gives access as about a 12-minute walk from JR Makimuku 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).