★ World HeritageHabikino / Fujiidera, OsakaSquare mound
Suketayama Kofun
(Outside IHA jurisdiction)
Location
Habikino / Fujiidera, Osaka
Shape
Square mound
Mound length
36 m
Period
Early 5th c.
Designation
National Historic Site
World Heritage
Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group (UNESCO)
Overview
A square mound 36m on a side and 6m high, built south of the Nakatsuhime mausoleum alongside Nakayamazuka and Yashimazuka Kofun. The three align their southern edges and share a moat, an unusual arrangement; the moat is preserved underground. 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
Tuff exposed on the summit is thought to be material from the burial facility. The mound shares its moat with Nakayamazuka and Yashimazuka, and cylindrical haniwa have been recovered from it. The moat is preserved underground.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A square mound 36m long and 6m high, occupant unknown, dated to the middle of the Middle Kofun period (first half of the 5th century) and thought to be roughly contemporary with Nakatsuyama Kofun (290m). Tuff exposed on its summit is thought to be material from the burial facility. The westernmost of the "Mitsuzuka" trio; from west to east: Suketayama, Nakayamazuka, Yashimazuka. The clustering of three square mounds in close proximity suggests successive burials of close kin of the Nakatsuyama Kofun occupant. The three mounds align their southern edges and share a single moat, a distinctive construction method. Cylindrical haniwa have been recovered from the moat.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not managed by the IHA. Administered by Fujiidera City as a national historic site. Designated a National Historic Site in 1956 and incorporated into the National Historic Site Furuichi Kofun Group in 2001. One of the "Mitsuzuka" (Three Mounds) south of Nakatsuyama Kofun (290m): a trio of square mounds aligned west to east — Suketayama, Nakayamazuka and Yashimazuka; Nabezuka is separate. Only Suketayama is a national historic site; Nakayamazuka and Yashimazuka are managed by the IHA.