Also known as: Uwanabe Ryobo Sankochi (IHA reference site)
Location
Nara Pref.
Shape
Keyhole-shaped mound
Mound length
270 m
Period
Mid-5th century
Designation
Imperial Mausoleum (IHA)
IHA designation
IHA-managed (no public entry)
Overview
A giant keyhole mound representative of the Saki group. Based on the 2020 estimate of 270–280m and the IHA's approximate 270m figure, its representative length is about 270m.
Finds & research
The 2020 pre-construction and parallel excavations identified stone facing at the mound foot, alignment stones, haniwa rows on a terrace, and moat deposits. The central burial facility and full grave assemblage remain unknown.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A three-tiered 5th-century keyhole mound at Hokkeji, Nara. A joint 2020 investigation by the IHA, Nara Prefecture, and Nara City identified the original mound foot and estimated the length at 270–280m. Double moats, stone facing, and rows of finned cylindrical haniwa are documented.
Imperial Household Agency view
The Imperial Household Agency manages the mound as the Uwanabe Mausoleum Reference Site. It is not a mausoleum formally attributed to a specific emperor or empress; the former identification as a consort’s tomb of Emperor Nintoku was erroneous.
Field notes
It was regarded as Empress Genmei’s mausoleum until around the Edo period, but is now a Mausoleum Reference Site. Do not enter the mound; view it from surrounding public roads and other authorized places.