IHA mausoleum of Emperor Kenzo (South Hill, Kataokaiwatsuki-no-Oka) in Hata, Kashiba City, Nara. A small hill designated as the mausoleum of Emperor Kenzo (23rd, r. 485–487), paired with the adjacent Emperor Buretsu mausoleum (id:409) to the north. "Kataoka" is a local place name in Kashiba City. The site preserves memory of the turbulent succession following Emperor Seinei's death and the sequence of short-lived emperors — Kenzo, Ninken, Buretsu — in the late 5th and early 6th centuries.
Finds & research
No investigation conducted under IHA jurisdiction. Internal structure and grave goods unknown.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
Occupant archaeologically unconfirmed. Emperor Kenzo (r. 485–487) ascended the throne after Emperor Seinei died without heir. According to the chronicles, Kenzo and his brother Ninken had gone into hiding during Seinei's reign. The designated site is a small hill in Hata, Kashiba City. Archaeologists have proposed Kitakitsuiriyama Kofun (140m, also in Kashiba City) as an alternative candidate for either Kenzo or Buretsu.
Imperial Household Agency view
Officially designated "Kataokaiwatsuki-no-Oka-Minami-no-Misasagi" (South Hill Mausoleum) and managed by the IHA as the mausoleum of Emperor Kenzo (23rd Emperor, r. 485–487). Adjacent to the North Hill Mausoleum (Emperor Buretsu), both designated on the Kataoka hills in Hata, Kashiba City. Small scale; no confirmed large burial mound structure. Access restricted.[IHA Visiting Info] Address: 奈良県香芝市北今市 / Access: JR 香芝駅から徒歩約19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 20–25 min walk from Kintetsu Osaka Line Goidō Station. Can be combined with the adjacent Emperor Buretsu mausoleum (North Hill, id:409). The large Kitakitsuiriyama Kofun (140m, id:258) in the same city has been proposed by researchers as the true mausoleum of either Kenzo or Buretsu — visiting both allows a direct comparison of the IHA designation and the archaeological candidate.