★ World Heritage Sakai, Osaka Square mound

Terayama Minamiyama Kofun

(Not designated by the IHA)
LocationSakai, Osaka
ShapeSquare mound
Mound length45 m
PeriodEarly 5th c.
DesignationNational Historic Site
World HeritageMozu-Furuichi Kofun Group (UNESCO)

Overview

A rectangular square mound adjoining the outer moat on the north-east side of the rear circle of Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun (Mausoleum of Emperor Richu). It is reconstructed as 45m north-east to south-west by 36.3m north-west to south-east and survives to a height of 4m. Although its upper part has been altered, it was probably built in two tiers. It shared the great mound's outer moat, and its axis follows a radial line from the center of the rear circle; from this arrangement it is thought to have been closely related to the great mound. Built in the first half of the 5th century, it is part of the National Historic Site Mozu Kofun Group and a constituent monument of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2019.

Finds & research

Cylindrical haniwa stood on the terrace. Some of Japan's earliest Sue ware, made with technology newly introduced from the Korean Peninsula, has been collected from the mound. The surrounding moat is preserved underground.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
A rectangular mound reconstructed as 44.8m north-east to south-west (45m per the Agency for Cultural Affairs) and 36.3m north-west to south-east; the top has been altered and it now stands 4m high, probably originally in two tiers. It sits against the outer moat on the north-east of Kamiishizu Misanzai's rear circle and shares that moat. Dated to the middle of the Middle Kofun period (first half of the 5th century). Occupant unknown.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Managed by the Sakai City Board of Education. Not an IHA-designated site. Protected by Sakai City as part of the National Historic Site "Mozu Kofun Group".
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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)
← Zenizuka Kofun Shichikannon Kofun →