Tajima's largest keyhole mound, on the left bank of the Maruyama River in Asago City. Renowned as Japan's richest source of waterbird haniwa, thought to express beliefs about the watery otherworld. As railway and highway cut the mound, the visit centers on the finds at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology.
Finds & research
Twenty-four identified waterbird haniwa (the largest known group from one tomb), other figural haniwa including houses and shields, cylindrical haniwa, and an umbrella-shaped wooden object. Finds including 14 waterbird haniwa are national Important Cultural Properties. Details of the burial facility are unknown.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology reconstructs this three-tiered keyhole mound at 134.5m, the largest in Tajima. The prefectural designation entry on Cultural Heritage Online gives about 141m, reflecting differing measurements or reconstructions. Built in the early 5th century, it has a truncated rear section and an unknown burial structure. Asago City suggests that chest-style sarcophagus fragments found nearby may have come from this mound, without confirming the link. Twenty-four waterbird haniwa have been identified, 14 of which are included in the national Important Cultural Property designation. Railway and Route 9 works altered the mound.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Hyogo Prefectural Historic Site (2013); the excavated artifacts were designated Important Cultural Properties in 2019.
Field notes
About a 15-minute walk from the parking area by Wadayama Station, according to the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology. Route 9 crosses the mound, and the site has no historic-park facilities. Check with the museum for current display of finds.