Nara Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound

Tamakiyama Kofun Group

LocationNara Pref.
ShapeKeyhole-shaped mound
Mound length75 m
PeriodLate 6th c.

Overview

A group of three keyhole mounds in Anashi, Sakurai City, Nara — a National Historic Site. Built in the Late Kofun period (late 6th century); the largest, Mound No.2, is ~75m long. The three keyhole mounds are arranged in a rare linear row, and their horizontal stone chambers yielded rich grave goods including horse trappings. Mound No.1 is one of the few tombs in this area whose stone chamber interior can be entered. Located along the Yamanobe-no-michi, it can be visited together with the Keiko and Sujin imperial mausolea and the Oyamato–Yanagimoto kofun groups.

Finds & research

The horizontal stone chambers yielded horse trappings (bridle fittings, umbrella-shaped ornaments, cheekpieces), weapons, armor, Sue ware, and personal ornaments. Mound No.1 held an assembled stone coffin (displayed at the Museum of the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara).

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
A group of three keyhole mounds aligned east–west on a hill spur in Anashi (Makinouchi), Sakurai City. National Historic Site (designated 1978). All date to the Late Kofun period (late 6th century), built in the order No.2 (~75m, the largest) → No.1 (~53m) → No.3 (~50m). The linear arrangement of three keyhole mounds is nationally rare. Each has a two-sided horizontal stone chamber; the chamber of Mound No.1 remains open for interior viewing. Excavations since 1955 yielded rich grave goods including horse trappings, weapons, armor, Sue ware, and personal ornaments. Located south of the Keiko Imperial Mausoleum, along the Yamanobe-no-michi.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Designated a National Historic Site in 1978. Managed by Sakurai City.

Field notes

About a 5-minute (≈300m) walk northeast of Makimuku Station (JR Manyo-Mahoroba Line). Adjacent to the south of the Keiko Imperial Mausoleum, along the Yamanobe-no-michi hiking route. The horizontal stone chamber of Mound No.1 is open for interior viewing. The assembled stone coffin and finds from Mound No.1 are displayed at the Museum of the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara.

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Sources

桜井市教育委員会奈良文化財研究所橿原考古学研究所Wikipedia文化庁 国指定文化財等データベース

Related kofun

Hashihaka Kofun (280m) Nishitonozuka Kofun (230m) Higashitonozuka Kofun (139m) Andonzan Kofun (242m) Shibuyamukaiyama Kofun (300m) Kurozuka Kofun (130m)
← Tomio Maruyama Kofun Chihara Ohaka Kofun →