A square-type mound preserved amid the streets of Higashinada Ward, Kobe. Legend holds it is the grave of the Unai Maiden — courted by two suitors, she drowned herself — a tale sung since the Man'yoshu and retold in the Noh play "Motomezuka" and Mori Ogai's "Ikutagawa." Together with the East and West Motomezuka mounds it forms a trio of tragic-romance kofun.
Finds & research
San'in-style pottery. Burial facility and grave goods unconfirmed.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A square-fronted, square-backed mound ~70m long (some sources ~90m), built in the late 3rd–early 4th century — among the oldest in the Kobe area. Excavations since 1979 recovered San'in-style pottery, indicating ties with the Japan Sea coast. The burial facility remains unlocated. Originally registered as a keyhole mound, it was reidentified as a square-type through excavation.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. National Historic Site (designated 1922).
Field notes
About 5 min on foot from Ishiyagawa Station (Hanshin). Maintained as a public park with free access. Best visited as part of a "three legendary mounds" walk with Nishi-Motomezuka (id:583) and Higashi-Motomezuka (id:584).