★ World HeritageHabikino / Fujiidera, OsakaKeyhole-shaped moundIHA imperial tomb
Ichinoyama Kofun
Mausoleum of Emperor Ingyo
Location
Habikino / Fujiidera, Osaka
Shape
Keyhole-shaped mound
Mound length
230 m
Period
Late 5th c.
Designation
Imperial Tomb (IHA)
World Heritage
Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group (UNESCO)
IHA designation
IHA-managed (no public entry)
Overview
A 230m-long keyhole mound, the fourth largest in the Furuichi area. It was built at the end of a plateau in the north-east of the area, with its front section facing north and rising 23.3m. The mound has three tiers and projections on both sides of the waist. One moat is visible today, but the mound originally had two; the outer moat is preserved underground. Its plan is exceptionally close to that of Hakayama Kofun, and the two were very likely designed as similar forms. The Imperial Household Agency administers it as the mausoleum of Emperor Ingyo. It is a constituent monument of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2019.
Finds & research
Details of the burial facility and grave goods are unknown. Cylindrical haniwa and varied figural haniwa have been recovered from the moat. Sue ware of the mid-5th century found within the mound fill helps date its construction.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
Occupant archaeologically unknown. At 230m it ranks 4th in the Furuichi area and 19th nationally, and is dated to the late Middle Kofun period (second half of the 5th century). The reign traditionally assigned to Emperor Ingyo (412–453) is somewhat earlier, though this may be within the margin of error of chronicle dating. Built in three tiers, it originally had two moats, the outer one now preserved underground. Its plan is so close to that of Hakayama Kofun that the two were probably designed to the same template.
Imperial Household Agency view
Officially designated "Ega-no-Nagano-no-Kita-no-Misasagi" by the IHA, attributed to Emperor Ingyo (19th sovereign). The chronicles credit Emperor Ingyo with using the ordeal of boiling water (kukatachi) to settle disputed clan names and titles. Public access is restricted, but the mausoleum can be observed from the perimeter along the moat.[IHA Visiting Info] Address: 1-chome Soja, Fujiidera, Osaka / Access: about 7 min walk from Kintetsu Hajinosato Station / Hours: 8:30–17:00 in principle (open year-round). Stamp: Furuichi Imperial Mausolea Office.