One of the Kinki region's largest round mounds, on a hill above the Maruyama River in Asago City. The armor and weapons from its intact burial speak to Tajima's power in the 5th century. Maintained as a historic park with a panoramic summit view; Takeda Castle ruins are nearby.
Finds & research
Bronze mirrors, two armor sets (incl. a collared riveted cuirass), ~2,000 beads, 85 iron swords/spears, 400+ arrowheads — from the intact principal burial; designated Important Cultural Properties in 2013.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A great two-tiered round mound (90m × 78m, 18m high) — among the largest in the Kinki region, second only to Tomio Maruyama in Nara. Built in the early 5th century. The undisturbed principal burial on the summit, an 8.7m composite wooden coffin, yielded bronze mirrors, two sets of armor including a collared cuirass, ~2,000 beads, 85 iron swords/spears, and 400+ arrowheads (Important Cultural Properties, 2013). Likely the tomb of a warrior chieftain of Tajima allied with the Yamato court.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. National Historic Site (2004) managed by Asago City.
Field notes
Open at all times, free, with parking, as Chasuriyama Kofun Park. Finds are displayed at the Asago City Archaeology Center "Kodai Asago-kan." Just off the Wadayama IC of the Kita-Kinki Toyooka Expressway.