Nara Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound

Shimanoyama Kofun

LocationNara Pref.
ShapeKeyhole-shaped mound
Mound length200 m
PeriodLate 4th–early 5th c.

Overview

200m mound in Kawanishi-cho. The centrepiece of the northern Umagami group with a distinctive shield-shaped moat.National historic site. The female occupant theory is based on bead ornaments.

Finds & research

Multiple excavations by Kawanishi Town Board of Education (national historic site 1984). As a non-IHA site, detailed investigation is possible. Finds from the vertical-shaft stone chamber in the rear circle: bronze mirrors (including triangular-rimmed deity-beast types), jasper bracelet-type artifacts, and iron objects. Cylindrical and figural haniwa rows also confirmed. The early-5th-century typology of the finds broadly aligns with the traditional reign dates of Emperor Ingyo (mid-5th century). Excavated items displayed at Kawanishi Town Mahoroto History Museum.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
200m, 36th largest in Japan. The dominant tomb of the northern Umagami group. Total length 265m including moat. Bead ornaments suggest a possible female occupant.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not managed by IHA. National historic site.
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Sources

Wikipedia川西町教育委員会国史跡指定書奈良県歴史文化資源データベース

Related kofun

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