Also known as: Kurahashi-no-Oka-no-Misasagi (Mausoleum of Emperor Sushun)
Location
Nara Pref.
Shape
Round mound
Mound length
30 m
Period
Early 7th c.
IHA designation
IHA-managed (no public entry)
Overview
IHA-designated mausoleum of Emperor Sushun (Kurahashimaruyama site, Sakurai City). Emperor Sushun — the only Japanese emperor confirmed killed by a subject — was assassinated by Soga no Umako in 592 CE. The IHA-designated hill is several hundred meters from the archaeologically favored Akasakatennozan Kofun (id:251). The designated site shows no clear burial mound structure. This discrepancy between the IHA designation and the archaeological candidate is a well-known example of the tensions between the imperial mausoleum system and modern archaeology.
Finds & research
No investigation conducted under IHA jurisdiction. No confirmed burial mound structure or grave goods at the designated site.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
The IHA-designated Kurahashimaruyama site is a small hill without confirmed large-scale burial mound structure. Emperor Sushun (r. 587–592) was assassinated by Soga no Umako after reportedly expressing his wish to "cut down someone he hates, just like this boar." Archaeologically, Akasakatennozan Kofun (id:251) in the same city is the preferred candidate, but the IHA designates a different location. No excavation has been conducted at the IHA-designated site.
Imperial Household Agency view
Officially designated "Kurahashi-no-Oka-no-Misasagi" and managed by the IHA as the mausoleum of Emperor Sushun (32nd Emperor, assassinated 592 CE). Emperor Sushun is unique in Japanese imperial history as the only emperor confirmed to have been killed by a subject (Soga no Umako). This IHA-designated location in Kurahashi, Sakurai City, differs from the archaeologically favored candidate Akasakatennozan Kofun (id:251) nearby. The designated site is a small hill locally called "Kurahashimaruyama." Access restricted.[IHA Visiting Info] Address: 奈良県桜井市大字倉橋 / Access: （バス停） 倉橋から徒歩約3分 / Hours: 原則、8時30分～17時 (open year-round in principle). Stamp storage: 畝傍陵墓監区事務所.
Field notes
About 10 min by car from Kintetsu Osaka Line Sakurai Station. Visiting alongside the archaeologically favored candidate Akasakatennozan (id:251) allows visitors to compare the IHA-designated site with the archaeological alternative in person. The year after Sushun's assassination, Empress Suiko ascended the throne with Prince Shotoku as regent. Combining with Ishibutai Kofun in Asuka (Soga no Umako's tomb, id:268) makes for a popular "Soga clan heritage tour."