ASTRONOMICAL ICONOGRAPHY IN TAKAMATSU ZUKA AND KITORA TUMULI: ANOMALIES IN THE ADAPTATION OF ASTRONOMICAL AND COSMOLOGIAL KNOWLEDGE IN EARLY JAPAN

Abstract

Two of the more remarkable sites of early Japan that have astronomical iconography are Takamatsu Zuka Kofun and Kitora Kofun. Located south of the ancient capital of Fujiwara Kyou in Asuka, these tumuli contain star charts and paintings adapted from China and Korea in what was the first major wave of cultural diffusion of knowledge from the continent in the early centuries of the common era. While the overall layout of the two tombs is similar, the ceiling star charts are quite different. That of Takamatsu Zuka is square and includes the 28 sei shuku or moon lodges, arranged in correspondence to the four animals of cardinal directions. That of Kitora is circular and contains stars visible to an observer of the chart’s base latitude. Following discussion of the geographical and historical context of the two tombs, this article provides an explanation of the iconography of each tomb, including the astronomical and cosmological basis of the ceiling star charts and wall paintings, consideration of anomalies and problems related to each tomb’s iconography, and a discussion of the implications of the iconography. While the tumuli reflect some of the best-preserved examples of ancient Chinese cosmological principles, they also indicate that tomb builders may not have fully understood these principles in adapting them to the locale of their construction. The iconography provided a symbolic base for reinforcing the hegemonic power of those who ruled and may have had greater importance in that role than in providing an accurate representation of the cosmos.