Nara Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound

Mesurayama Kofun

LocationNara Pref.
ShapeKeyhole-shaped mound
Mound length224 m
PeriodLate 3rd–early 4th c.
DesignationNational Historic Site

Overview

A large Early Kofun-period mound noted for cylindrical haniwa about 2.1m tall. A total of 106 cylindrical and pedestal-shaped haniwa enclosed the burial facilities.

Finds & research

The 8.06m main pit chamber had been looted, leaving mirror fragments and stone objects. The unlooted subsidiary chamber yielded iron bows and arrows, more than 200 iron spearheads, 236 bronze arrowheads, stone arrowheads, and other abundant grave goods.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
A 224m keyhole mound at Takada and Uenomiya, Sakurai. In 1959, investigators examined the main and subsidiary chambers in the rear mound and a double rectangular haniwa enclosure around them. The main chamber had been looted, while the subsidiary chamber yielded large quantities of weapons and other objects. The occupant is unknown.
Imperial Household Agency view
This is not an Imperial Household Agency mausoleum. It was designated a National Historic Site on 14 March 1980.

Field notes

Do not enter private or restricted land within the historic site, and follow on-site guidance. Check the Kashihara Archaeological Institute Museum for current display information.

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Sources

奈良県立橿原考古学研究所附属博物館 メスリ山古墳桜井市 国指定文化財一覧

Related kofun

Hashihaka Kofun (280m) Nishitonozuka Kofun (230m) Higashitonozuka Kofun (139m) Andonyama Kofun (242m) Shibutanimukaiyama Kofun (300m) Kurozuka Kofun (130m)
← Sakurai Chausuyama Kofun Makimuku Ishizuka Kofun →