Sakurai, Nara Square mound

Akasakatennozan Kofun

LocationSakurai, Nara
ShapeSquare mound
Mound side45 m
PeriodEnd of 6th–beginning of 7th c.
DesignationNational Historic Site

Overview

A square mound with a large horizontal stone chamber and house-shaped sarcophagus. Sakurai City notes a theory that it is the true tomb of Emperor Sushun.

Finds & research

The chamber had already been looted, and the grave goods were dispersed and remain unknown. A hollowed-out house-shaped sarcophagus made of tuff from the Mount Nijo area survives in the burial room.

Official status & archaeological view

Official status
The IHA designates Kurahashi-no-Oka Mausoleum, at a different site, as the tomb of Emperor Sushun.
Archaeological view
A square mound at Kurahashi, Sakurai, designated a National Historic Site. The Agency for Cultural Affairs' 1954 designation record gives about 45m east–west, 42m north–south and 9.4m high; the Nabunken site database gives 45.5m on a side; Sakurai City describes it as about 50m on a side. Its approximately 15m horizontal stone chamber holds one hollowed-out house-shaped sarcophagus in its burial room. Chamber and coffin forms date it to around the end of the 6th century (Sakurai City). Sakurai City notes a theory, based on the stone used and the size of the chamber and sarcophagus, that this mound is the true tomb of Emperor Sushun, but it is unproven.

Field notes

Access to the chamber may change. Follow Sakurai City guidance and all historic-site conservation instructions.

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Sources

文化庁 国指定文化財等データベース 天王山古墳(東西約45m・南北約42m・高さ約9.4m・1954年指定)奈良文化財研究所 全国文化財総覧 赤坂天王山古墳第1号墳(方墳・一辺45.5m)宮内庁 崇峻天皇 倉梯岡陵(治定陵は別地点)桜井市 ひみこちゃん通信 2016年10月号(1辺約50m・6世紀末頃)桜井市 大和さくらい100選 赤坂天王山古墳(6世紀末〜7世紀初め)桜井市 赤坂天王山古墳群の研究(測量調査報告書 2018年)

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