190m square-fronted, square-backed mound (Japan's largest of this type) within Tenri High School, Tenri City. National historic site. 4th century.
Finds & research
Surveys by Tenri City Board of Education. Finds include stone paving (fukiishi), special pedestal-shaped haniwa, and morning-glory-shaped haniwa — reflecting transitional Yayoi-to-Kofun ritual practices. The combination of the keyhole-square mound form and early haniwa types is of archaeological interest.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
~190m total (rear square 90m). Japan's largest square-fronted square-backed mound (zenpo-koho-fun). Three-tiered. Unique hybrid: square-rear on the 1st tier, round-rear on upper tiers. Some scholars link it to the Mononobe clan.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not managed by IHA. National historic site (1927).
Field notes
Permission may be required for visits (within Tenri High School). Square-rear mounds suggest connections with the Tokai region.