Keyhole mound (~65m) in Gose City — a National Historic Site (designated 2021). Late 6th century, presumed to be the premier tomb of the powerful Kose clan. The stone chamber (length 15.6m+, height 4.2m+) rivals Ishibutai Kofun in scale. A finely crafted house-form stone coffin of white tuff from Mt. Nijo, with 8 rope-loop projections, is housed inside. One of the most recently designated and currently much-discussed kofun in the region.
Finds & research
Horizontal stone chamber (total length 15.6m+, chamber height 4.2m+); house-form stone coffin of white tuff from Mt. Nijo (8 rope-loop projections); Sue ware; iron implements.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
Keyhole mound ~65m long in Jo, Gose City. Late 6th century. Situated on the Kose-yama ridge, it is presumed to be the premier chieftain tomb of the Kose clan (Kose-uji), one of the most powerful aristocratic families in the Kinai region. The defining feature is the horizontal stone chamber: total length 15.6m+, chamber height 4.2m+ — comparable in scale to Ishibutai Kofun (the leading candidate for Soga no Umako's tomb in Asuka). Stone material is white tuff from Mt. Nijo (Tatsuishi). Inside stands a house-form stone coffin with 8 rope-loop projections, finished to an exceptionally high standard — a nationally rare type. The Kose clan held senior posts at the Yamato court from Emperor Yuryaku's reign (late 5th century) through the Asuka period; this mound embodies their peak of clan power.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Designated a National Historic Site in October 2021. Managed by Gose City.
Field notes
Bus or taxi from Kintetsu Gose Line "Kintetsu-Gose" Station. Located in the same Gose City / Katsuragi area as Muromiyayama Kofun (238m, the largest in Katsuragi; id:241), enabling a combined "Katsuragi Kofun Tour." The scale comparison between this mound's stone chamber and that of Ishibutai Kofun (id:268) has attracted attention; the on-site signboard addresses this directly.