Takamatsuzuka Tomb & Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall

• History of Takamatsuzuka Tomb
• Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall
• Access - Getting To Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall
• Nara Museums
• Japan Museums

Takamatsuzuka Tomb & Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall 高松塚古墳

Takamatsuzuka Tomb, located in the Asuka district of Nara Prefecture, is like nearby Ishibutai, a burial mound (kofun) dating from the Asuka Period of Japanese history.

Takamatsuzuka Tomb, Asuka, Nara Prefecture

Takamatsuzuka Tomb, Asuka, Nara Prefecture

History of Takamatsuzuka Tomb

Takamatsuzuka Tomb is thought to have been constructed between the end of the 7th century and the beginning of the 8th century. It was discovered by a local farmer by accident in the 1960's as he was digging a hole to store ginger roots.

The tomb was excavated in the 1970's and the wall paintings found within were designated as National Treasures. The tomb was then sealed to preserve the paintings and the nearby Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall built to exhibit reproductions of the frescoes in a full-scale replica of the crypt along with various burial goods.

There is an ongoing debate among archaeologists as to whether the paintings will need to be removed from the crypt to adequately preserve them.

The mound of the tomb is constructed of clay and sand and is now grassed. The tomb is 16 meters in diameter and 5 meters in height.

Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall, Nara Prefecture
Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall, Nara Prefecture

It is not known who was actually buried in Takamatsuzuka kofun. There are various candidates including one of the sons of the Emperor Temmu, a son of the last king of Baekje or Isonokami Ason Maro (640-717), an important official and part of the Mononobe clan.

Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall

Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall shows the frescoes in their actual state of preservation as they were found on the plaster walls of the tomb. There are four guardian spirits guarding the four directions painted on the walls of the crypt. This was common in tombs of this period found in China and Korea. These are Genbu, a black snake-tortoise in the north, Suzuku, a red bird in the south, Seiryu, a blue dragon in the east and Byakko, a white tiger in the west.

Fresco of Genbu, Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall, Nara Prefecture

Also represented on the walls are female and male courtly figures dressed in Goguryeo-style clothes. Goguryeo was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea along with Paekche (Baekje) and Silla.

The male figures are richly attired and carry silk parasols (kinugasa), chairs and weapons. The females are also richly attired and carry round fans (sashiba) and Buddhist-related staffs. The woman dressed in red and carrying a staff is referred to as Asuka bijin, or "Beauty from Asuka."

Within the crypt was a coffin with metal nails and a Tang dynasty Chinese mirror. Replicas of the mirror and the other grave goods (sword fittings, coffin fittings) are on display at the Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall.

Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall, Nara Prefecture

Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall
439 Hirata, Asuka, Takaichi-gun
Nara Prefecture
634-0144
Tel: 0744 54 3340

Hours: 9 am-5 pm

Admission: 250 yen for adults.

Asuka Bijin, Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall, Nara Prefecture

Access - how to get to Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall

There are bicycle rental outlets at Kashiharajingu-mae, Okadera and Asuka stations all on the Kintetsu Line from Yamato-Saidaiji Station and Kintetsu Nara Station. These stations can also be reached from Abenobashi Station in Osaka.

Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall is roughly a 5-10 minute cycle ride from Asuka Station. There are hourly buses from Asuka Station. The free Asuka Historical Park Museum (asukarekishikoenkan) is close by and has an overview of the historical sites in the Asuka area.

Other attractions in Asuka include Tachibanadera, Okadera Temple, Asuka Historical Museum and Asukadera Temple.

Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall, Nara Prefecture

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