Osaka Pref. Square mound

Tozuka Kofun

LocationOsaka Pref.
ShapeSquare mound
Mound length45 m
PeriodLate 5th c.

Overview

A 45m square mound (three-tiered) in Sakai City, from the mid-5th century. Archaeologically significant for revealing one of the earliest horizontal stone chamber forms in the Kinai region. Rich grave goods include horse gear, armor, weapons, jewels, and Chinese-made bronze mirrors (including a "Wei zhi" type). Formerly one of the "Four Mound Group" (Yotsuzuka), of which three are now lost to urban development. The name derives from its resemblance to a pagoda base. Located within the Mozu World Heritage buffer zone.

Finds & research

Two excavations (1958 and 1994) by Sakai City Board of Education. Finds from the stone chamber: horse gear (gilt-bronze flower-shaped fittings, iron-wrapped wooden stirrups, iron bits); weapons and armor (short cuirass, swords, iron arrowheads); ornaments (jadeite magatama, glass magatama, various beads). From wooden coffin: square-grid eight-boss mirror and Wei-zhi sanzhi mirror (imported Chinese Wei/Jin-dynasty mirrors). From moat: cylindrical and shield-shaped haniwa. The chamber's construction method — flat andesite slabs stacked at steep angles — is the key primary evidence for the earliest horizontal stone chamber form in the Kinai region.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
Square mound, approx. 45m per side, 4m high.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not managed by IHA.

Field notes

Free viewing from the perimeter is possible. About 10 min walk from Nankai Main Line "Suwamorimori" station.

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Sources

堺市教育委員会Wikipedia

Related kofun

Daisen Kofun (525m) Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun (365m) Haji Nisanzai Kofun (300m) Gobyoyama Kofun (203m) Tadeiyama Kofun (148m) Itasuke Kofun (146m)
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