A mound that yielded Japan’s oldest known mirror bearing a calendar date. Its inscription uses a Wei reign era and predates Himiko’s mission by four years, prompting Yamatai debate, but it cannot be established as one of the mirrors later presented to Himiko.
Finds & research
One square-rule four-deity mirror dated Qinglong 3 (AD 235). It lay mirror-side up to the right of the occupant’s head and retained fragments of silk textile.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A rectangular mound measuring 18.8 by 12.3m across Yasaka-cho Wadano and Mineyama-cho Yata, Kyotango. Built in the late 3rd century, it yielded a square-rule four-deity mirror dated Qinglong 3 (AD 235) from a stone coffin in the 1994 excavation.
Imperial Household Agency view
This is not an IHA mausoleum. The dated square-rule four-deity mirror found here was designated a National Important Cultural Property on 27 June 1996.
Field notes
The mirror is owned by Kyotango City and deposited with the Kyoto Prefectural Tango Local Museum. Confirm current display status before visiting.