Nara Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound

Muromiyayama Kofun

LocationNara Pref.
ShapeKeyhole-shaped mound
Mound length238 m
PeriodEarly 5th c.

Overview

238m mound in Gose City, the largest in the Katsuragi region. A key monument of the Katsuragi clan's power. Katsuragi was the home base of the Katsuragi clan, deeply linked to the Yamato court; this great-king-class mound clearly attests their political might. Locally known as "Muro no Ohaka" (Great Tomb of Muro), long recognised as a special burial. The long-chest stone coffins of ryuzan tuff were the prestige stone material of 5th-century royal and chieftain tombs, also used at Daisen-ryo and Konda Gobyoyama.

Finds & research

Surveys by Gose City and the Kashihara Archaeological Research Institute (designated national historic site). Burial facilities: two vertical-shaft stone chambers (south and north) in the rear section, each containing a nagamochi-gata (long-chest-shaped) stone coffin of ryuzan stone (tuff quarried at Takasago, Hyogo — the same material used in mausolea such as Daisen and Konda Gobyoyama). Further burial pits in the front section and projections totaling 6 facilities. Finds include triangular-rimmed deity-beast mirrors, armor, swords, magatama, tubular beads, and a ship-shaped Korean earthenware (doshippon) — evidence of continental exchange. Evidence of ancient looting is also present.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
238m, 18th largest in Japan, the largest in the Katsuragi region. Two pit chambers with long-chest Tatsuyamaishi sarcophagi. Proposed as tomb of Takenouchi no Sukune or Katsuragi no Sotsuhiko.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not managed by IHA. National historic site.

Field notes

Gose City manages the site; a walking path is maintained allowing visitors to approach close to the mound. Nearest station: Kintetsu Gose Line "Kintetsu-Gose," then bus or taxi.

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Sources

Wikipedia御所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)
← Mise Maruyama Kofun Shimanoyama Kofun →