Nara Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound

Mise Maruyama Kofun

Also known as: Gojono Maruyama / IHA reference site
LocationNara Pref.
ShapeKeyhole-shaped mound
Mound length318 m
PeriodLate 6th c.

Overview

318m mound in Kashihara City — the largest in Nara and 6th in Japan. Contains Japan's largest stone chamber (28.4m). The leading archaeological candidate for Emperor Kinmei's actual tomb.

Finds & research

Contains a horizontal stone chamber (yokoana-shiki sekishitsu) in the rear mound: total length ~28.4m (corridor ~17m + burial chamber ~11m long × ~2.7m wide), making it Japan's largest horizontal stone chamber. Two house-shaped sarcophagi of Aso welded tuff are known to be inside; the chamber has been entered historically and its structure is on record. Currently managed as the IHA's Unebi Ryobo Sankochi (reference site), no systematic excavation has been conducted. Identified as a strong candidate for the joint burial of Emperor Kinmei and Kitashihime (daughter of Soga no Iname), though unconfirmed. The chamber's exceptional dimensions reflect the peak of stone-chamber mound construction in the Asuka region c. late 6th–early 7th century.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
318m, the largest in Nara and 6th in Japan. Contains Japan's largest horizontal stone chamber (28.4m). The last giant keyhole mound of the 6th century. Two sarcophagi of Aso tuff.
Imperial Household Agency view
Managed by IHA as a mausoleum reference site. Strong scholarly support for joint burial of Emperor Kinmei and Kitashihime.

Field notes

Despite the IHA"s separate official designation, many scholars identify this as Emperor Kinmei"s actual tomb.

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Sources

Wikipedia橿原市教育委員会奈良県立橿原考古学研究所

Related kofun

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