Kitora Kofun is an ancient circular burial mound located on the southern slope of Mount Abeyama in the southwestern part of Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture. Designated a Special Historic Site of Japan, it is one of the country’s most significant archaeological treasures. Its remarkably preserved burial chamber and intricate wall paintings provide valuable insights into the art, beliefs, and scientific knowledge of ancient Japan.
Kitora Kofun is a circular mound built in two tiers. The upper section measures approximately 9.4 meters in diameter and 2.4 meters in height, while the lower section measures about 13.8 meters in diameter and 0.9 meters in height. The lower tier forms a terrace-like base supporting the smaller upper mound.
The burial chamber has a side-entry stone structure known as a yokoguchi-shiki sekka, with a roof shaped like the interior of a small house. It was assembled from carefully cut blocks of tuff, a type of volcanic rock. The chamber measures approximately 1 meter wide, 2.6 meters deep, and 1.3 meters high.
The interior walls and ceiling were coated with plaster, onto which the celebrated paintings were applied. These delicate works have made Kitora Kofun especially important to the study of ancient Japanese painting and funerary practices.
The mound is generally dated to the late seventh or early eighth century. The paintings reflect the influence of continental East Asian culture, although some researchers suggest that the degree of Tang Chinese influence is less pronounced than at nearby Takamatsuzuka Kofun. This has contributed to theories that Kitora Kofun may have been constructed before Japanese envoys returned from Tang China with later cultural influences.
The origin of the name Kitora is uncertain, and several explanations have been proposed. One theory suggests that the name arose because images of a tortoise and a tiger could be seen when looking into the burial chamber through its entrance. Another proposes that it derives from the local place-name Kitaura, which may have changed in pronunciation over time.
A further interpretation connects the name with two of the Four Symbols of Chinese cosmology: Genbu, the Black Tortoise of the north, and Byakko, the White Tiger of the west. Although the exact origin remains unclear, the theories reflect the close relationship between the tomb’s paintings and the symbolic traditions of ancient East Asia.
In 1983, researchers used a fiberscope inserted through a hole left by tomb robbers to photograph the interior of the burial chamber. This investigation revealed a painting of Genbu, the Black Tortoise, on the northern wall. Subsequent research identified the Four Guardian Deities painted on the four walls: Seiryū, the Azure Dragon of the east; Byakko, the White Tiger of the west; Suzaku, the Vermilion Bird of the south; and Genbu, the Black Tortoise of the north.
These four figures originate in ancient Chinese cosmology and are associated with the cardinal directions, seasons, and protective powers. Their presence in the tomb illustrates the influence of continental beliefs on elite burial customs in early Japan.
Images believed to represent the twelve zodiac animals, each with an animal’s head and a human body, were also discovered beneath the Four Guardian Deities. Figures identified so far include the Rat, Tiger, Dog, Horse, and Snake.
The Horse figure is particularly notable for its vermilion-colored clothing, matching the color used for Suzaku, the guardian of the south. This may indicate a symbolic relationship between the zodiac figures, the cardinal directions, and their associated colors.
One of Kitora Kofun’s most remarkable discoveries is the astronomical chart painted on the ceiling. It depicts three concentric circles representing traditional celestial divisions, along with the ecliptic, the Big Dipper, and other celestial features. Researchers have identified approximately 277 stars, as well as representations of the Sun and Moon.
The chart is regarded as the oldest surviving astronomical star chart in East Asia. It predates the Chunyou Star Map produced during China’s Southern Song dynasty by approximately 500 years, making it an exceptionally valuable source for understanding the development of astronomy in the ancient world.
Moisture inside the burial chamber caused concerns about mold and deterioration. To protect the paintings, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs began removing them from the chamber in 2004. Most of the paintings had been detached by 2007, and the removal work was completed in 2010.
The paintings are now preserved under controlled conditions and presented to the public at the Kitora Kofun Mural Experience Hall, Shijin no Yakata. This approach allows visitors to appreciate the artwork while helping safeguard the fragile originals for future generations.
The identity of the person buried in Kitora Kofun remains unknown. Researchers have suggested that the tomb may have belonged to a prince of Emperor Tenmu or a high-ranking court official close to the imperial family. The valuable objects discovered at the site, including items decorated with gold inlay, indicate that the occupant held considerable status.
Archaeologist Taichirō Shiraishi has proposed that the tomb may have belonged to Abe no Miushi, who served as a senior court official and died in 703 with the rank of Minister of the Right. The name of Mount Abeyama, where the mound is located, has been cited as one possible clue supporting this theory.
Other proposed candidates include Prince Yuge, Prince Takechi, and King Changseong of Baekje. None of these identifications has been conclusively established, and the tomb’s occupant remains an enduring subject of historical research.
Kitora Kofun was designated a Historic Site in 2000 and received the higher status of Special Historic Site in the same year. In 2018, its wall paintings and excavated artifacts were designated Important Cultural Properties. In 2019, the wall paintings were elevated to the status of National Treasure.
These designations recognize the exceptional importance of the site to Japanese history and art. The combination of elaborate funerary paintings, astronomical knowledge, and evidence of international cultural exchange makes Kitora Kofun a rare resource for understanding the sophistication of ancient society.
Following the completion of archaeological investigations of the stone chamber in 2013, the chamber was reburied to protect it from environmental damage. The surrounding mound has been carefully maintained, and the opening created by tomb robbers has been sealed as part of the site’s long-term conservation measures.
Although the original chamber is no longer accessible to visitors, the preservation work helps ensure that this fragile archaeological treasure can continue to be studied in the future.
The Kitora Kofun Mural Experience Hall, Shijin no Yakata, offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the tomb and its paintings without entering the protected burial chamber. Exhibits include a replica of the stone chamber and highly detailed reproductions of the wall paintings.
Explanatory displays, video presentations, and educational materials introduce the Four Guardian Deities, the zodiac figures, and the astronomical chart. These exhibits help visitors understand both the artistic techniques and the cosmological ideas represented in the tomb.
Kitora Kofun is located in Asuka Village, an area rich in archaeological sites and cultural attractions. Visitors can combine a visit with nearby Takamatsuzuka Kofun, famous for its colorful mural paintings, or the Asuka Historical Museum to explore the region’s ancient history in greater depth.
The surrounding countryside also offers opportunities to enjoy Asuka’s rural landscape while discovering the remains of Japan’s early political and cultural centers. Checking local transport and visitor-facility information before setting out is recommended when planning a trip.
Kitora Kofun is a remarkable heritage site where archaeology, painting, and astronomy come together. Its Four Guardian Deities, zodiac figures, and ancient star chart reveal the rich cultural exchanges and sophisticated knowledge of the late seventh and early eighth centuries.
Although the identity of the person buried within remains a mystery, ongoing research and careful conservation continue to uncover the tomb’s significance. A visit to Kitora Kofun and its mural exhibition facility offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistic imagination and intellectual achievements of ancient Japan.