★ World Heritage Sakai, Osaka Round mound

Tsukamawari Kofun

(Not designated by the IHA)
LocationSakai, Osaka
ShapeRound mound
Mound length35 m
PeriodEarly 5th c.
DesignationNational Historic Site
World HeritageMozu-Furuichi Kofun Group (UNESCO)

Overview

A round mound 35m across and 4.5m high, standing about 15m beyond the outer moat on the east side of Daisen Kofun—a position that suggests a connection with the great mound, though the Imperial Household Agency has not designated it a satellite tomb. Built in the first half of the 5th century, it is protected and managed by Sakai City as part of the National Historic Site Mozu Kofun Group. Excavation in 1912 found a wooden coffin laid directly in the mound, with two bronze mirrors, an iron sword, an iron blade and a large quantity of beads. It is a constituent monument of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2019.

Finds & research

Excavation in 1912 indicated a wooden coffin laid directly in the mound. From inside it came two bronze mirrors, an iron sword and an iron blade, together with a great quantity of beads: 7 magatama, 6 jujube-shaped beads, 71 tubular beads in 4 strings, 501 round glass beads in 5 strings, 1,531 small glass beads in 2 strings and 684 disc beads in 1 string. The jade magatama, 5cm long, is an unusually large and rare piece. Cylindrical haniwa are said to have stood around the foot of the mound, and its moat, built up against Daisen's outer moat, is preserved underground.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
A round mound 35m across and 4.5m high, built in two tiers in the middle of the Middle Kofun period (first half of the 5th century), about 15m east of Daisen's outer moat. The proximity suggests a connection, but the IHA has not designated it a satellite. Excavation in 1912 indicated that the burial was a wooden coffin placed directly in the mound. The simple circular form is the most basic burial mound shape and was used by people of varied social ranks throughout the Kofun period. The name "Tsukamawari" (around the mound) indicates that it was used as a place name for an area where several mounds clustered.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Preserved and managed by the Sakai City Board of Education. Among the 23 World Heritage constituent monuments of the Mozu group, those outside IHA jurisdiction are protected by Sakai City as historic sites. This mound is not listed in the IHA register and is protected independently.
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Sources

百舌鳥・古市古墳群 公式サイト文化庁 文化遺産オンライン(世界遺産構成資産解説)

Related kofun

Daisen Kofun (486m) Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun (365m) Haze Nisanzai Kofun (300m) Gobyoyama Kofun (203m) Tadeiyama Kofun (148m) Itasuke Kofun (146m)
← Gen'emonyama Kofun Osamezuka Kofun →