Takamatsuzuka Tomb

Takamatsuzuka Tomb


Byakko, the White TigerThe nihongo|Takamatsuzuka Tomb|高松塚古墳|"Takamatsuzuka Kofun" or "Tall Pine Tree Ancient Burial Mound" in Japanese is an ancient tomb of circular shape located in Asuka village, Nara prefecture, Japan.

The tomb is thought to have been built at some time between the end of the 7th century and the beginning of the 8th century, but was accidentally discovered by a local farmer in the 1960s.

The mound of the tomb was built up in alternating layers of clay and sand. It is about 16 meters in diameter and 5 meters in height. Digging yielded a burial chamber with beautifully-painted fresco wall paintings of courtiers in Goguryeo-style garb. The paintings are in full color with red, blue, gold, and silver foil representing four male followers and four abigails together with the Azure Dragon, Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird groups of stars. The paintings are disgnated as a national treasure of Japan.

For whom the tomb is built is unknown, but the decorations suggest it is for a member of the Japanese royal family or a high-ranking nobleman. Candidates include:

# Prince Osakabe (? - 705), a son of Emperor Temmu
# Prince Yuge (? - 699), also a son of Emperor Temmu
# Prince Takechi (654? - 696), also a son of Emperor Temmu, general of Jinshin War, Daijō Daijin
# Isonokami Ason Maro (640 - 717), a descendant of Mononobe clan and in charge of Fujiwara-kyo after the capital was moved to Heijo-kyo
# Kudara no Konikishi Zenko (617-700), a son of the last king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. [http://www.asukanet.gr.jp/asukahome/ASUKA2/TAKAMATUTUKA/takamatutuka.html] [http://www.nara-np.co.jp/special/takamatu/vol_02d_01.html]

The Cultural Affairs Agency of Japan is considering taking apart the stone chamber and reassembling it elsewhere to prevent further deterioration to its wall paintings. A painting called Asuka Bijin, or "beautiful women", is one of the murals in the tomb facing deterioration. The unusual preservation method is being considered because the tomb's current situation makes it impossible to prevent further damage and stop the spread of mold.

Unlike with the Kitora Tomb, also in Asuka, removing pieces of the Takamatsuzuka wall plaster and reinforcing them for conservation appears difficult because the plaster has numerous tiny cracks.

External links

* [http://www.pref.nara.jp/nara/kaido/eg/ko_nara/spot/k05.htm Takamatsuzuka ancient burial mound]
* [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/weekly/news/nn2005/nn20050702a5.htm The Japan Times Weekly Online - Takamatsuzuka tomb to be moved]
* [http://gias.snu.ac.kr/wthong/publication/paekche/eng/hi3-5.pdf Paekche Culture in Asuka Japan]

ee also

*History of Japan


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Kofun De Takamatsuzuka — Le kofun de Takamatsuzuka (en japonais : 高松塚古墳, Takamatsuzuka Kofun, « l ancien tumulus mortuaire du grand sapin ») est un kofun, c est à dire un monument funéraire japonais, de forme circulaire et situé dans le village d Asuka de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Kofun de takamatsuzuka — Le kofun de Takamatsuzuka (en japonais : 高松塚古墳, Takamatsuzuka Kofun, « l ancien tumulus mortuaire du grand sapin ») est un kofun, c est à dire un monument funéraire japonais, de forme circulaire et situé dans le village d Asuka de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Kofun de Takamatsuzuka — Le kofun de Takamatsuzuka (en japonais : 高松塚古墳, Takamatsuzuka Kofun, « l ancien tumulus mortuaire du grand sapin ») est un kofun, c est à dire un monument funéraire japonais, de forme circulaire et situé dans le village d Asuka de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Kitora Tomb — The nihongo|Kitora Tomb|キトラ古墳| Kitora Kofun is an ancient tumulus ( kofun in Japanese) located in the village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The tomb is believed to have been constructed some time between the 7th and early 8th centuries, but… …   Wikipedia

  • Fujinoki Tomb — is a tumulus, known as a kofun in Japanese, located in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. It is estimated to date from the later half of the sixth century or the late seventh century. [http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0306461587… …   Wikipedia

  • Mozu kofungun — Tomb of Nintoku, the largest kofun in Japan, with a circumference of 2.8 km Mozu kofungun (百舌鳥古墳群?) is a group of for …   Wikipedia

  • Kofun — nihongo|Kofun|古墳 are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period (middle 3rd century late 6th century). Most of the Kofun have the Keyhole shaped mount …   Wikipedia

  • Funerary art — Tomb of Philippe Pot, governor of Burgundy under Louis XI …   Wikipedia

  • Kofun period — History of Japan Haniwa, horse statuette Paleolithic 35,000–14,000 BC Jōmon period 14,000–300 BC Yayoi period 300 BC–250 AD Kofun period 250–538 Asuk …   Wikipedia

  • Asuka, Nara — Infobox City Japan Name= Asuka JapaneseName= 明日香村 Map Region= Kansai Prefecture= Nara Prefecture District= Takaichi District Area km2= 24.08 PopDate= September 1, 2007 Population= 6146 Density km2= 255.23 Coords= LatitudeDegrees= 34… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”