Archaeological examination of Kitora kofun (an ancient burial tomb), Asuka, Nara without excavation was carried out in March, 1998. Using a finger sized high-resolution microcamera, 1,300-year-old mural paintings inside the stone chamber were found. It was the next discovery to Takamatsuzuka kokun in Japan.
The joint research group of Tokai University Research & Information Center and NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai) has analyzed video images taken with the microcamera by using digital image processing. As the results, a digital mosaicked image of inside the chamber, the mural paintings of mytholpgical beasts (Genbu, Byakko, etc.) and the ancient astronomical chart seen from a defferent view angle have been made.

Analized mural paintings of the mytholpgical beasts(Genbu,Byakko)

Mosaicked image of the astronomical chart

Image processing result of the astronomical chart of Kitora mound