The leading chieftain's tomb of eastern Harima, in Kakogawa City. Known for its continental gilt-bronze belt fittings and iron ingots, it is maintained as a historic park together with the Saijo temple ruins. The name derives from an ascetics' hall that once stood on the rear circle.
Finds & research
Rear-circle grave-goods boxes: gilt-bronze belt fittings, bridles, cast-iron axes, 40 iron ingots, and tomoe-shaped bronze ornaments. Western platform: clay food models, pottery, and haniwa. Three clay-encased burials were identified in the rear circle during the 1995–96 investigations.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A three-tiered keyhole mound about 100m long, among the largest in Kakogawa, with four projecting platforms. Kakogawa City dates it to the early 5th century; the prefectural archaeology museum gives the late 4th century. The 1995–96 investigations identified three clay-encased burials and grave-goods boxes above them in the rear circle. The boxes yielded gilt-bronze belt fittings, horse gear, cast-iron axes, 40 iron ingots, and tomoe-shaped bronze ornaments. Clay food models, pottery, and haniwa came from the western platform.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Protected as part of the National Historic Site "Saijo Kofun Group" (1973, together with Hitozuka and Amazuka) managed by Kakogawa City.
Field notes
Bus access from JR Kakogawa Station. Freely visitable as a maintained historic park. The nearby Hitozuka (scallop, ~61.5m) and Amazuka (scallop, ~51m) mounds of the same group can be seen together.