Nara Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound

Muromiyayama Kofun

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

Overview

The largest keyhole mound in the Katsuragi region, famous for elaborate large house- and armour-shaped haniwa. Identification with Katsuragi no Sotsuhiko is unproven.

Finds & research

The looted southern chamber yielded mirror fragments, beads, and talc imitations. Large house-, pedestal-, shield-, and quiver-shaped haniwa stood on and around its roof stones. The northern chamber is unexcavated, though fragments of boat- and pedestal-shaped stoneware made in the Gaya region have been collected nearby.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
A 238m, three-tiered keyhole mound at Muro, Gose, with stone facing, haniwa rows, and a northern square projection, dating to the early 5th century. Two burial facilities lie on the rear summit: the southern chamber contains a Tatsuyama-stone chest-shaped sarcophagus, while the northern chamber is unexcavated.
Imperial Household Agency view
This is not an Imperial Household Agency mausoleum. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1921 under the official name Miyayama Kofun.

Field notes

Follow the historic site’s public routes and do not damage exposed remains or the mound.

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Sources

橿原考古学研究所附属博物館 室宮山古墳文化庁 国指定文化財等データベース 宮山古墳

Related kofun

Hashihaka Kofun (280m) Nishitonozuka Kofun (230m) Higashitonozuka Kofun (139m) Andonyama Kofun (242m) Shibutanimukaiyama Kofun (300m) Kurozuka Kofun (130m)
← Mise Maruyama Kofun Shimanoyama Kofun →