Also known as: Takano-no-Misasagi (IHA: attributed to Empress Shotoku)
Location
Nara Pref.
Shape
Keyhole-shaped mound
Mound length
127 m
Period
Late 4th c.
Designation
Imperial Mausoleum (IHA)
IHA designation
IHA-managed (no public entry)
Overview
A keyhole mound in the western Saki group, now managed as Empress Shotoku's mausoleum.
Finds & research
Haniwa are documented. The central burial facility and full grave assemblage remain unknown.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A 127m west-facing keyhole mound at Misasagi, Nara. Haniwa are documented, but Nara City states that details remain unknown. Its construction is generally placed around the late 4th century from its position within the Saki-group sequence.
Imperial Household Agency view
The IHA designates the mound as Takano-no-Misasagi, the mausoleum of the 48th sovereign, Empress Shotoku, and officially classifies it as keyhole-shaped. The relationship between the attributed occupant and the archaeological date cannot be established from the limited available evidence.
Field notes
The IHA states that the worship area is about an eight-minute walk from Kintetsu Heijo Station. The mausoleum precinct is closed.