Tourists and history buffs on Saturday flocked to the village of Asuka in Nara Prefecture for a glimpse of a mural from an ancient tomb, which is on display through Friday.
(Image provided by Agency for Cultural Affairs)
The "Asuka Bijin" (Asuka beauties), a richly colored depiction of beautiful women, is undergoing the final stage of restoration to remove black stains caused by mold.
(Images provided by Takamatsuzuka Mural Museum, Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, and Agency for Cultural Affairs)
It is among other national treasure murals discovered in 1972 inside the stone chamber of the Takamatsuzuka tomb in Nara, which was built between the late 7th century and the early 8th century.
The stone blocks removed from the burial chamber, which was demolished in 2007, are now on display at a restoration facility in the village. Visitors can see the slabs through the glass.
"That blackened mural has become much whiter and clearer. It is great repair technique," said Shigeo Takano, 62, who visited from Yokohama.
Reservations for visiting the facility can be made on the official website (http://www.takamatsuzuka-kofun.com/).
