Takamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb
高松塚古墳
Asuka (c.700 CE, late 7th c.)·Asuka court (Korean painter?)·🇯🇵 Kansai, Nara Prefecture, Asuka, beneath Takamatsuzuka mound, Japan
About
About Takamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb
Asuka tomb discovered 1972 by farmer, excavated 1972–74, mural of women in court dress, Tang-style.
Why it mattersKey Asuka court (Korean painter?) tumulus with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Astronomical alignment
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 700 CE
- Period
- Asuka (c.700 CE, late 7th c.)
- Culture
- Asuka court (Korean painter?)
- Purpose
- Painted mural tomb with court-lady frescoes and zodiac — Goguryeo painter influence
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1885
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 700 CE
Initial construction / first occupation at Takamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb
c. 1500 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Takamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb
1950 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Takamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb
On the ground
Structures & features
34.4620° N · 135.8080° E · 100 m · 3 mapped features
Takamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb — Principal Chamber
chamberchamber at Takamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb — primary structure
34.4602° N · 135.8073° ETakamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb — Northern Dromos
dromosdromos at Takamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb — outlier feature
34.4633° N · 135.8082° ETakamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb — Mound Annex 3
moundmound at Takamatsuzuka Tomb — Asuka Mural Tomb — hydraulic feature
34.4636° N · 135.8086° E