180m keyhole mound in Joyo City — the centerpiece of the Kutsukawa Kofun Group. National Historic Site; seven bronze mirrors and the stone coffin are Important Cultural Properties. Situated on the Uji plateau, it is being developed as a historic park. One of the flagship ancient sites in the "Ocha no Kyoto" tourism region.The Kutsukawa Kofun Group spans Joyo and Uji cities with ~150 burial mounds; Kutsukawa Kurumazuka, Maruzuka, and Basho-zuka are all National Historic Sites. Some artifacts are displayed at the Joyo City History and Folklore Museum (inside Culture Park Joyo). About 20 min walk from Kintetsu Terada Station.
Finds & research
7 bronze mirrors (incl. triangular-rimmed divine beast mirrors; Important Cultural Properties), stone coffin (ICP), beads, weapons, armor, and numerous haniwa. Now held at Kyoto University, Senoku Hakukokan, and other institutions.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
180m keyhole mound — the largest in southern Kyoto Prefecture and within the Kutsukawa Kofun Group. Total length including moats ~272m. Early 5th century; three-tiered construction with double moats. Two burial facilities: a stone coffin in the rear mound and a wooden coffin on the western platform — a rare example with a platform burial. Artifacts (7 bronze mirrors, stone coffin) designated as Important Cultural Properties. Presumed tomb of a paramount chieftain governing southern Yamashiro.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Designated as a National Historic Site in 1979; renamed and expanded as "Kutsukawa Kofun Group" in 2016. Managed by Joyo City.