★ World HeritageHabikino / Fujiidera, OsakaSquare mound
Nonaka Kofun
(Outside IHA jurisdiction)
Location
Habikino / Fujiidera, Osaka
Shape
Square mound
Mound length
37 m
Period
Mid-5th c. (ACA); late 5th c. (Fujiidera)
Designation
National Historic Site
World Heritage
Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group (UNESCO)
Overview
A square mound 37m on a side and 5m high, situated north of the rear circle of Hakayama Kofun. It was built in two tiers, and its surrounding moat is preserved underground. Its position suggests a relationship with Hakayama Kofun. It is dated to the middle phase of the Middle Kofun period. Part of the National Historic Site Furuichi Kofun Group, it is a constituent monument of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2019.
Finds & research
The 1964 excavation by the Osaka University archaeology laboratory found at least five rows of wooden boxes deposited on the summit of the mound. One is thought to have held a body; the other four appear to have been caches for grave goods. From them came 11 iron cuirasses, 8 iron helmets and 3 leather helmets, along with quantities of iron weapons — swords, blades and arrowheads — plus iron ingots (tettei), a stone quern and pestle, and Korean-made stoneware. Stoneware and stone models of sickles, axes and knives also came from the summit. Work in the moat produced more than 40,000 ornaments such as disc beads and magatama, together with stone models of swords, evidence of the range of rites performed at the mound. Cylindrical and figural haniwa have been recovered from the mound and moat. The results are published as a 3D digital archive.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
Occupant unknown. A square mound ~37m per side, dated to the middle phase of the Middle Kofun period by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and to the late 5th century by Fujiidera City. The 1964 Osaka University excavation identified large quantities of armor, iron weapons, farming and craft tools and other objects deposited in wooden containers at the mound summit; the mound is known for its abundant iron grave goods. Square mounds are common in the Furuichi group, clustered near the large keyhole mausolea to form "square mound groups." A 3D digital archive of the mound is publicly available for research and education.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not managed by the IHA. Administered by Fujiidera City as a national historic site. Not listed in the IHA register. Added to the National Historic Site designation as a satellite of Hakayama Kofun in 1995; incorporated into the Furuichi Kofun Group designation in 2001. Osaka University's archaeological research unit has conducted investigations, with results published in a publicly accessible digital archive. One of the few Furuichi group mounds with substantial academic excavation.