A terminal-period octagonal tomb at Sada, Takatori, which Nara Prefecture's heritage database says is regarded as likely to be Prince Kusakabe's grave.
Finds & research
A tuff ashlar side-entry chamber, lacquer fragments (the wooden coffin is thought to have been lacquered), coffin fittings, iron nails, pottery and teeth attributed to a young adult male.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
A Nara Prefectural Historic Site.
Archaeological view
The mound is reconstructed as octagonal. Nara Prefecture and the Takatori Board of Education describe it as 36m on a side, while Takatori Town’s visitor guide gives a 30m diagonal. The measurement directions and extents have not been reconciled against the excavation report, so a representative mound length remains undetermined. Built at the end of the 7th century in the center of a prepared area about 60m across, it has a tuff ashlar side-entry chamber. A young adult male’s teeth, lacquered-coffin fragments and coffin fittings were identified. The occupant is not confirmed, but Nara Prefecture’s heritage database says that, on evidence such as the lacquered coffin and teeth judged to be those of a young man, Prince Kusakabe is regarded as the likely occupant.
Field notes
Visit in accordance with site protections and current Takatori/Nara guidance.