OSAKA - Japan’s largest known cluster of horizontal tombs lies in the southeastern Osaka city of Kashiwara, where more than 160 cave tombs have been confirmed in what is now known as Takai Horizontal Tomb Park. Including uninvestigated areas, the total may exceed 200 burial chambers.
Inside these tombs are rare examples of ancient line-engraved wall art and even stone coffins. Who were the people buried here, and what do the tombs tell us about their identity and era?
The site is just a two-minute walk from JR Takada Station. In ancient times, the area prospered thanks to its location near the Yamato River, a key transport route connecting Osaka and Nara. The tombs, carved into the hillsides between the 6th and 7th centuries, represent a rare glimpse into ancient funerary practices.
Although many of the tombs are closed off due to preservation concerns, they are opened to the public twice a year. The caves were constructed horizontally into slopes, a distinct architectural choice compared to the more familiar vertical burial mounds. Among the 162 known tombs, around 20 contain line-engraved wall paintings—some of which have been faithfully replicated for public viewing.
One of the most famous images is that of a ship, thought to depict the journey of the deceased to the afterlife. Another depicts a man dressed in a long tunic tied with a belt and wide trousers, believed to match the attire of people from the Kofun period. It is assumed the drawings date from the time of the tombs' creation.
In one particular tomb, carvings show a female figure—possibly a wife or a priestess—seeing off the man depicted on the ship. These tombs not only tell us about burial rituals but also about the relationships and beliefs of the people interred there.
Takai Park spans 36,000 square meters—roughly the size of Koshien Stadium. The site was first reported in the 1910s, but only after housing developments threatened the area did full-scale excavations begin. In 1992, it was developed into a historical park so that the public could experience the site’s cultural significance.
The cave tombs were carved into volcanic tuff, a material both sturdy and relatively easy to shape. Some tombs contain stone coffins—particularly rare finds in the Kansai region. These include coffins cut directly from the rock floor, in layouts resembling those seen in ancient Kyushu, suggesting cultural transfer or migration from the southern island.
One tomb in particular shows clear signs that it was excavated by two individuals of differing skill levels: one side is neatly stepped and symmetrical, while the other is uneven and over-dug. This contrast provides an unusual insight into the work process of ancient tomb carvers, possibly even hinting at an apprentice-master relationship.
Archaeologists believe each tomb was reused for 30 to 40 years and typically held three individuals. Although no weapons or armor were found, accessories such as glass beads and earrings were unearthed, indicating that the buried were not warriors but likely belonged to a peaceful community of artisans or spiritual elites.
At the summit of the park is an even older circular mound tomb (enpun), dating back to the late 5th century—about 100 years before the horizontal caves were made. This mound may contain the remains of a noble who migrated from Baekje, an ancient Korean kingdom. Excavations revealed two coffins and a trove of rare funerary goods including bronze mirrors and a “hinoyui” iron—an ancient Japanese heating tool of which only two complete examples are known to exist.
One of these irons was found in Kashiwara itself, and the one from the summit mound closely resembles that national treasure. The similarity of the grave goods suggests that the person buried there may have been a royal figure—possibly the consort of King Konki of Baekje, who is recorded in Japanese chronicles as having come to Japan but never returned.
The tomb’s location near the Yamato River, which flows into Osaka Bay and connects to the Korean Peninsula, has led researchers to speculate that this site was chosen to symbolically allow the spirit of the deceased to “return” to Baekje by water.
The Takai tomb cluster offers a rare look into the craftsmanship, beliefs, and international connections of ancient Japan. Visitors walking through the park today can feel transported back in time, surrounded by the remnants of a people who carved their memories—and their hopes for the afterlife—into stone.
Source: YOMIURI
