A round mound (~22m diameter) in Takaida, Kashiwara City — a National Historic Site. Late 5th century, important as an early example of the horizontal stone chamber in the Kinai region. The chamber yielded a fire-iron and bronze mirror; the occupant is presumed to be of immigrant descent. (The famous engraved wall paintings belong to the separate Takaida Yokoana tunnel-tomb group in the same park.)
Finds & research
The early horizontal stone chamber yielded a fire-iron (among Japan's oldest), a bronze mirror, iron weapons, and horse trappings.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A round mound (~22m diameter) in Takaida, Kashiwara City, confirmed by excavation in 1990 and dated to the late 5th century (end of the middle Kofun period). It is significant as an early example of the horizontal stone chamber in the Kinai region; the chamber yielded a fire-iron (hinoshi, among Japan's oldest), a bronze mirror, weapons, and horse trappings. The occupant is presumed to be an influential person of immigrant (toraijin) descent, reflecting the introduction of Korean-peninsula horizontal-chamber tomb culture. Note: the famous engraved wall paintings belong to the separate Takaida Yokoana (a cluster of 200+ tunnel tombs) in the same park, not to this kofun.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. National Historic Site (within Takaida Yokoana Park). Managed by Kashiwara City.
Field notes
About 10 min walk from Kintetsu Osaka Line Takaida Station, within the Takaida Yokoana Park. The adjacent Kashiwara City Historical Museum exhibits finds and explanations. For the engraved wall paintings, visit the "Takaida Yokoana" tunnel tombs in the same park. Can be combined with Tamateyama group (id:385) and Matsugakeyama (id:127).