During the reign of Emperor Suinin, the Emperor sent his loyal servant Tajima-mori to bring back the fruit of the fragrant tree that knows no season and was said to be growing in the land of immortals. Tajima-mori set out to travel far into the Everworld. After a long and arduous journey, he finally found the tree. Tajima-mori picked a number of branches filled with fruit and brought them back for the Emperor.
When he returned, he learned that the Emperor had already passed away. Tajima-mori presented some branches to the Empress and took the rest to the tomb of Emperor Suinin.
There, holding the fruit in his hand, Tajima-mori broke down and cried. He mourned the loss of the Emperor so deeply that he died at the tomb.
Getting Around IN nara
Nara is about a 30-minute train ride from Kyoto or Osaka, and getting around in Nara is easy. Major tourist destinations are connected by Nara’s extensive public transportation system. Rental bicycles are also a popular way to find your way around.
Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin
Tajima-mori died on this mound, mourning the death of Emperor Suinin. The small island in the canal became known as the Tomb of Tajima-mori. (Nara City)
Toshodaiji Temple
This temple, next to the Tomb of Emperor Suinin, was built in 759 A.D. by Ganjin, a Tang-period Chinese priest, for training Buddhist monks. (Nara City)
Muromiyayama Tumulus
This large decorative tomb is believed to have been used by the ancestors of the Katsuragi clan who appear in Kojiki stories. It symbolizes the clan’s political power. (Gose City)