Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall - Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture

Takamatsuzuka Kofun

Takamatsuzuka Mural hall – Once identified with Emperor Monmu (697-707) was permitted to be excavated in 1972 after the Imperial Household Agency dropped this tomb from their list of imperial burial places. The tomb was looted at some time in the distant past and the tomb experienced erosion as a result. Damage was worse on the south (entry) hall. None-the-less, the tomb was found with brilliant paintings that ties in Japanese past by showing Korean influence.

 

Mural Hall

The tomb depicts four guardian spirits in four directions (shishin) were also found on fresco bearing tumulus graves in China and Korea. The names of the spirits are Seryu (blue dragon) in the east, Byakko (white tiger) in the west, Suzaku (red bird) in the south and Genbu (black snake tortoise) in the north.

The men in the frescoes hold sunshades, chairs and pouches for swords and bows and also carry pouches around their necks. The women carry round fans and Buddhist staffs of authority. The style of skirt is similar to that from Korea during this period.

Grave Goods

Inside the crypt there remained a coffin ornamented with metal nails and fittings, a Tang Chinese mirror whose reverse was worked in so called Kaijubudo patter, and ornamental fittings for a tang style sword. Reproductions of the grave is on display along with reproductions of the artifacts from the site.

The ceiling of the crypt is dotted with small bits of gold leaf, which are in turned joined in various patters by reddish cinnabar lines to represent star charts with 28 constellations.

The Takamatsuzuka Kofun was excavated by the Kashihara Archaeological Research Institute. The wall paintings were designated to national treasures and the crypt was tightly sealed to preserve the wall paintings. The Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall was created to exhibit the reproductions of the paintings that are closed to the public.  Visitors can see copies of the wall paintings, partially restored and fully restored along with a life size replica of the crypt and burial goods.

Approximate walking time from the Kintetsu Asuka station is 15 minutes. Bike rental is available at the Kitetsu Asuka station (5 minute bike ride). Vehicle traffic is not permitted to the mural hall.

The Asuka Preservation Foundation

439 Hirata, Asuka village, Takaichi gun

Nara prefecture  634-0144 Japan

Tel/Fax (0744) 54-3340

http://www.asukabito.or.jp/html/english/

http://www.asukabito.or.jp/index.shtml

Koren influence shown in clothing

 

Star Constellations

Mural placements

Oldest Style Cheese in Japan - Asuka

Near Asuka-dera Temple there is a cheese shop. The shop makes the oldest style cheese in Japan.


Asuka-no-So



Asuka-no-So

Tortoise Shaped Stone

The Sakafune-ishi Ruins correspond to the "stone wall on the mountain east of the palace" mentioned in the entry for 656 in the Chronicles of Japan. In the 2000 excavations, water conduit apparatus consisting of stone paving, stone walls, and stone steps were discovered around a tortoise-shaped stone tank. Water from a spring was channeled to an oval, ship-shaped stone tank through wooden ducts and accumulated there. From there, small amounts of water seeped through small holes in it, entered the nose of the tortoise, where it accumulated in the tank on its back. These devices were located deep in a valley, with the walls of the valley covered with stone steps and flagstones. It is surmised that the place had some connection to ceremonies involving the emperor, since it does not seem to have been constructed in order to enjoy the sight of the running water.










Biking is the best way to get around.

Asuka-dera Temple

Shop Near Asuka-dera Temple

Yogurt and Ice-cream

Temple in Asuka

This is a small Temple outside the oldest cheese shop in Japan (Asuka).

Biking around Asuka

Tachibana-dera Temple

Temple Hondo

Inside the main hall there was a small souvenir shop. Most Temples and Shrines have souvenir shops but this one had it in its Hondo, which is unusual.


Temple bell

Looking in from the outer gate

Tachibana-dera Temple

It is known through archaeolgoical excavation that the temple complex was similar to that of Shitennoji Temple. Most of the temples of this period faced south, but this one unusually faced east, with a middle gate, stupa, golden hall, and lecture hall arranged linearly from east to west. The hole for the central stupa pillar has a unique structure similar to that of Horyuji Temple, with supporting pillars on three sides.

The date it was constructed is unknown, but according to the Shotoku Taishi denreki, suspicious signs accompanying Prince Shotoku's lecture here on a Buddhist text called the Shrimaladevi-sutra led him to build a temple at this location. It is counted as one of the seven temples built by Prince Shotoku. From the patterns of the excavated roofing tiles, it was learned that a small temple building (perhaps a golden hall) was built here in the first half of the seventh century, which was expanded to a large temple in the latter half of the same century.






If you look closely you will notice the symbolic swastika in the center of the cornice. This is an Indian sanskrit symbol. When facing left, it is the omote (front) manji, representing love and mercy. Facing right, it represents strength and intelligence, and is called the ura (rear) manji. Balanced manji are often found at the beginning and end of Buddhist scriptures (outside India)

Prince Shotoku