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.