A square mound known for its stepped stonework. Asuka Village's research has confirmed five stone-faced steps, and it has been proposed as the tomb of Soga no Iname.
Finds & research
A tuff house-shaped sarcophagus remains in the horizontal stone chamber. Iron nails show that a wooden coffin was also placed there.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
Asuka Village preserves it as a National Historic Site.
Archaeological view
A square mound about 41m on a side (Asuka Village survey report) at Sakata, Asuka. Five stone-faced steps have been identified in the earthen mound, with several more steps inferred to continue (the Agency for Cultural Affairs designation account describes the earthen mound as having six or more steps). Its 12.2m double-sleeved horizontal stone chamber contains a carved tuff house-shaped sarcophagus and is dated to around the late 6th century. Inokuma Kanekatsu, professor emeritus at Kyoto Tachibana University, considers Soga no Iname the occupant on the basis of the mound's date and location, but this is not established.
Field notes
Follow current Asuka Village guidance for access and visitor routes. The mound lies south of Ishibutai Kofun.