Takamatsuzuka kofun (tomb)

A late stage kofun (burial mound) tomb erected during the time of the ancient capital Fujiwara-kyo (694–710) and located in the east of the Takamatsuzuka section of Asuka Historical National Government Park. A five meter tall two tier tomb, the upper tier is 18 meters in diameter while the lower is 23. In 1972, a richly colored mural was discovered in the tomb which won it instant notoriety. In 1973, the tomb was designated a Special Historic Site and in 1974 the mural was designated a National Treasure. The tomb may be viewed at any time but normally the mural is not available for public viewing; the workroom in which the mural is investigated is made open to public entry irregularly for special exhibitions.