Mausoleum of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō

One of the few tombs with known occupants

This is the joint tomb of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō. As an archaeological site it is called Noguchi no Ōbo Kofun.

For many imperial tombs in Japan, the official designation by the Imperial Household Agency and the views of archaeologists do not agree. This is one of the few cases where the occupants are considered almost certain. The reason is that a record survives from when the tomb was robbed in the Kamakura period (1185–1333).

An octagonal mound

The mound is octagonal, about 37 m between opposite sides and about 7.7 m high, and was built in five tiers.

The octagon was a shape used in this period only for emperors' tombs. The tomb of Emperor Tenji, Nakaoyama Kofun and Kengoshizuka Kofun share it. Neither round nor square, the octagon is thought to have signified one who ruled all eight directions of the realm.

The Aoki no Sanryōki

In 1235 the tomb was robbed. The record of the inspection made on site afterwards survives as the Aoki no Sanryōki (Record of the Aoki Mausoleum).

According to the record, a vermilion lacquered coffin lay inside the chamber, and beside it stood a silver urn for cremated bones. The coffin was Emperor Tenmu's, the urn Empress Jitō's. The robbers are said to have taken the urn and scattered the ashes inside it.

There are almost no other cases where the inside of a kofun (ancient burial mound) was described in writing. Because of this one record, there is no doubt that this is the tomb of Tenmu and Jitō.

The first emperor to be cremated

Empress Jitō is said to have been the first Japanese sovereign to be cremated. She died in 702, was cremated the following year, and was laid to rest in the tomb of her husband, Emperor Tenmu.

After Emperor Tenmu died in 686, mogari, the long period of mourning rites before burial, was held for more than two years, and he was buried in 689. The two burials were 14 years apart, and in that time Empress Jitō moved the capital from Asuka to Fujiwara-kyō.

Visiting

The tomb is managed by the Imperial Household Agency, and you cannot enter the mound. Visitors pay their respects from in front of the torii gate.

About 10 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Asuka Station. Oni no Manaita and Oni no Setchin are just to the north, and you can walk on to the tomb of Emperor Kinmei and the Saruishi (Monkey Stones).