Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of an imperial tomb is expressed through specific terms that distinguish between ancient burial mounds and later mausolea, as well as the broader category of imperial mausolea managed by the Imperial Household Agency.
Refers to the large keyhole-shaped or other ancient tombs of early emperors and elites, typically from the Kofun period (3rd–7th centuries).
General term for ancient burial mounds, including imperial ones. Often used in archaeological and historical contexts.
仁徳天皇陵は日本最大の古墳です。
The tomb of Emperor Nintoku is the largest kofun in Japan.
Specifically denotes an imperial tomb, often used for ancient emperors. Can be part of a proper name.
応神天皇陵は大阪府にあります。
The imperial tomb of Emperor Ōjin is in Osaka Prefecture.
Refers to the tomb or mausoleum of an emperor, often used for more recent emperors or as a general term.
Honorific term for an imperial tomb or mausoleum. Used for both ancient and modern emperors.
明治天皇の御陵は京都にあります。
The imperial mausoleum of Emperor Meiji is in Kyoto.
Formal term for an imperial mausoleum or tomb, often used in official contexts.
Refers to the system or collection of imperial tombs, often in administrative or historical discussions.
Also used as a collective term for imperial tombs and mausolea.
陵墓の調査は制限されています。
Research on imperial tombs is restricted.
Literally 'emperor tomb', used to refer to imperial tombs in general or specific ones.
この地域には多くの天皇陵があります。
There are many imperial tombs in this area.
古墳 (kofun) is a broad archaeological term for ancient burial mounds, not exclusively imperial. 御陵 (goryō) is an honorific term specifically for imperial tombs, often used for named emperors. 陵墓 (ryōbo) is a formal, administrative term for imperial mausolea, often used by the Imperial Household Agency.
When referring to a specific ancient imperial tomb, the suffix 陵 (りょう) is often added to the emperor's name, e.g., 仁徳天皇陵 (Nintoku-tennō-ryō). The reading みささぎ is an older, more literary reading for 陵.
The Imperial Household Agency manages the imperial mausolea.