Takamatsuzuka Tomb

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This beautiful mural painting of the Takamatsuzuka Tomb depicts Byakko, the White Tiger

The Takamatsuzuka Tomb (高松塚古墳, Takamatsuzuka Kofun^?) or "Tall Pine Tree Ancient Burial Mound" in Japanese is an ancient tomb of circular shape located in Asuka village, Nara prefecture, Japan.

The tomb is thought to have been built at some time between the end of the 7th century and the beginning of the 8th century, but was accidentally discovered by a local farmer in the 1960s.

The mound of the tomb was built up in alternating layers of clay and sand. It is about 16 meters in diameter and 5 meters in height. Digging yielded a burial chamber with beautifully-painted fresco wall paintings of courtiers in Korean-style garb. The paintings are in full color with red, blue, gold, and silver foil representing four male followers and four abigails together with the Azure Dragon, Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird groups of stars. The paintings are disgnated as a national treasure of Japan.

For whom the tomb is built is unknown, but the decorations suggest it is for a member of the Japanese royal family or a high-ranking nobleman. Candidates include:

Prince Osakabe (? - 705), a son of Emperor Temmu
Prince Yuge (? - 699), also a son of Emperor Temmu
Prince Takechi (654? - 696), also a son of Emperor Temmu,general of Jinshin War,Daijō Daijin
Isonokami Ason Maro (640 - 717), a descendant of Mononobe clan and in charge of Fujiwara-kyo after the capital was moved to Heijo-kyo
Kudara no Konikishi Zenko (617-700), a son of the last king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

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The Cultural Affairs Agency of Japan is considering taking apart the stone chamber and reassembling it elsewhere to prevent further deterioration to its wall paintings. A painting called Asuka Bijin, or "beautiful women", is one of the murals in the tomb facing deterioration. The unusual preservation method is being considered because the tomb's current situation makes it impossible to prevent further damage and stop the spread of mold.

Unlike with the Kitora Tomb, also in Asuka, removing pieces of the Takamatsuzuka wall plaster and reinforcing them for conservation appears difficult because the plaster has numerous tiny cracks.