A terminal-period octagonal mound in the grounds of Kasuga Shrine, Sada, Takatori Town — among the largest terminal-period tombs after the Tenmu-Jito mausoleum, and the leading candidate for the true tomb of Prince Kusakabe, who died before ascending the throne. The chamber is reburied, but a full-scale replica stands in front of the Kashihara Archaeological Institute Museum.
Finds & research
Corridor-type chamber of tuff blocks (3.06m × 2.12m inside, house-shaped section). Finds: ~10 human teeth (one individual), 50+ iron nails, lacquer film, gilt-bronze coffin fittings, Sue and Haji ware.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A vast terrace ~60m across was cut into the ridge, and an octagonal mound ~30m across opposing corners (36m per some sources) was raised at its center by rammed-earth construction, confirmed by the 1984–85 excavation (Kashihara Archaeological Institute and Takatori Town). The burial facility is a unique corridor-type stone chamber built of ~60cm tuff blocks with a house-shaped section (3.06m × 2.12m inside), presumably holding a lacquered wooden coffin. Teeth of a young adult male match Prince Kusakabe, who died in 689 at 27–28. The octagonal plan — reserved for sovereigns — and the Man'yoshu poems on his burial at Mayumi Hill support the true-tomb theory.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA, nor as a historic site. The IHA locates the mausoleum of Prince Kusakabe (posthumously Emperor Okamiya) on a separate hill to the northwest, but scholars widely regard this mound as the prince's true tomb.
Field notes
About 25 min on foot from Tsubosakayama Station (Kintetsu Yoshino Line). The mound, in the Kasuga Shrine precinct, can be viewed freely from outside. The full-scale chamber replica at the Kashihara Archaeological Institute Museum is well worth combining with a visit.