Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall

A museum for seeing the murals

This exhibition hall stands next to Takamatsuzuka Kofun (ancient burial mound). It is in the Takamatsuzuka Area of the Asuka Historical National Government Park.

The murals of Takamatsuzuka Kofun were removed together with the stone chamber and are still undergoing conservation, so they are normally not open to the public. The hall's role is to present the murals in place of the originals.

Two kinds of replica

The centrepiece of the exhibition is two kinds of replica.

One is the "as-found replica," which copies the murals exactly as they were when discovered, flaking and stains included. The other is the "partially restored replica," which fills in lost areas to recreate how the paintings are thought to have looked when they were first made.

Showing the same paintings in two ways lets you see what survives today and what has been lost. The group of women on the west wall, known as the "Asuka Beauties," can be seen in both forms.

A model of the stone chamber and the grave goods

A full-size model of the stone burial chamber lets you feel how cramped it is inside: 265.5 cm deep, 103.4 cm wide and 113.5 cm high, barely enough space for a person to lie down.

Replicas of grave goods are also on display, such as a mirror decorated with sea beasts and grapes (kaijū budō kyō) and metal fittings from a sword.

Visiting

About 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Asuka Station, right beside Takamatsuzuka Kofun.

If you visit the hall after seeing the kofun, you can connect what you saw with what lay beneath the grass-covered mound. Opening hours, closing days and fees may change, so please check the official information before you go.