Nara Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound IHA imperial tomb

Horaiyama Kofun

Also known as: Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin
LocationNara Pref.
ShapeKeyhole-shaped mound
Mound length227 m
PeriodLate 4th to early 5th century
DesignationImperial Mausoleum (IHA)
IHA designationIHA-managed (no public entry)

Overview

A large keyhole mound sometimes included in the Saki Kofun Group. It is about 227m long (about 230m in the Nara City cultural-property guide) and dated to the end of the Early Kofun to the beginning of the Middle Kofun period.

Finds & research

The mound interior is unexcavated. A chest-shaped sarcophagus is inferred from observations during late-Edo-period looting. Of six surrounding features described as satellite mounds, some may not be kofun.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
An approximately 227m (some guides give 230m), three-tiered keyhole mound with a water-filled moat at Amagatsuji Nishimachi, Nara. Nara City dates it to the end of the Early Kofun to the beginning of the Middle Kofun period, in the late 4th to early 5th century. A chest-shaped sarcophagus is inferred from observations during a late-Edo-period looting episode, but the interior remains unexcavated.
Imperial Household Agency view
The Imperial Household Agency designates and manages it as Sugawara-no-Fushimi-no-Higashi Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin, the 11th emperor, and classifies it as a keyhole mound. The occupant has not been archaeologically verified.

Field notes

The Imperial Household Agency gives access as about an eight-minute walk from the Amagatsuji Station bus stop. Worship is generally 8:30–17:00, and the mound is closed.

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Sources

奈良県観光公式 垂仁陵古墳(奈良市観光課提供・全長227m)奈良市 奈良市の古墳と埴輪窯(全長230m)宮内庁 垂仁天皇 菅原伏見東陵

Related kofun

Hashihaka Kofun (280m) Nishitonozuka Kofun (230m) Higashitonozuka Kofun (139m) Andonyama Kofun (242m) Shibutanimukaiyama Kofun (300m) Kurozuka Kofun (130m)
← Hokeno-yama Kofun Gosashi Kofun →