Nara Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound

Sakurai Chausuyama Kofun

LocationNara Pref.
ShapeKeyhole-shaped mound
Mound length207 m
PeriodEarly 4th c.

Overview

207m mound in Sakurai City. Famous for its many bronze mirrors. Forms a group with Mesurayama Kofun along the Hase River.Of the 84 bronze mirrors excavated, 32 are triangular-rimmed deity-beast mirrors cast from the same moulds as mirrors found at sites across Japan from Kyushu to Tohoku. This is key evidence that the Yamato polity distributed mirrors as political tokens to regional chiefs—placing this mound at the heart of the "mirror distribution network."

Finds & research

Excavations by Sakurai City Board of Education. Key finds: 84 bronze mirrors including 32 triangular-rimmed deity-beast mirrors (Japan's second-highest single-site total), diagonal-rimmed deity-beast mirrors, inner-flower-pattern mirrors, and other types; a sarcophagus; swords; and beads (tubular, magatama, small beads). Same-mould counterparts of the 32 triangular-rimmed mirrors appear at sites from Kyushu to Tohoku, suggesting this mound was either a source or relay hub of the Yamato mirror-distribution network. Some finds displayed at the Sakurai City Buried Cultural Property Center.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
Occupant unknown. 84 bronze mirrors including 32 triangular-rimmed mirrors were found. A major Yamato royal tomb.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not managed by IHA.
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Sources

Wikipedia桜井市教育委員会奈良県立橿原考古学研究所附属博物館

Related kofun

Hashihaka Kofun (280m) Nishitonozuka Kofun (230m) Higashitonozuka Kofun (139m) Andonzan Kofun (242m) Shibuyamukaiyama Kofun (300m) Kurozuka Kofun (130m)
← Kurozuka Kofun Mesurayama Kofun →