Also known as: Satellite tomb of Emperor Kinmei's Mausoleum
Location
Nara Pref.
Shape
Rectangular mound
Mound length
41 m
Period
Late 7th c.
Overview
The exposed stone chamber of a terminal-period tomb ~180m northeast of Emperor Kinmei's mausoleum in Asuka Village. Named after the legend of an ogre who cooked travelers on the "cutting board" and relieved himself at the "privy," these are in fact the floor and lid stones of a corridor-type chamber. Though the mound is gone, the precision stonework can be examined up close — a staple of the Asuka mysterious-stones circuit alongside the Turtle Stone and Sakafune-ishi.
Finds & research
The floor stone (Manaita, ~4.5m × 2.7m, ~1m thick) and hollowed lid stone (Setchin, interior width ~1.5m, height ~1.3m) of a monolithic corridor-type chamber lie exposed on site. A second floor stone found ~9m east around 1877 indicates a twin-chamber tomb. No excavation has been conducted under IHA management.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
The mound has entirely vanished, leaving the exposed floor stone ("Manaita," the cutting board) and hollowed lid stone ("Setchin," the privy) of a monolithic corridor-type stone chamber of granite (or quartz diorite). The flat floor stone (~4.5m × 2.7m × 1m thick) remains in place on the hill; the lid stone has tumbled ~40m down to the roadside southwest. Cadastral studies suggest an originally rectangular mound ~41m east–west housing two chambers side by side; a second floor stone was found ~9m east of the Manaita around 1877. Built in the late (or mid-) 7th century. Occupant unknown.
Imperial Household Agency view
Since 1898 the IHA has designated and managed these stones as a satellite tomb (baicho) of Emperor Kinmei's mausoleum. Not designated as a historic site under the Cultural Properties Protection Law, as IHA-managed tombs fall outside its scope.
Field notes
Free to visit at any time. About 20 min on foot from Kintetsu Asuka Station, right by Emperor Kinmei's mausoleum and the Kibihime tomb (Monkey Stones). The Manaita sits atop the hill and the Setchin lies by the road below — see both together. The map pin marks the Manaita, which remains in its original position.