A large round mound nestled just west (northwest) of Goshikizuka Kofun (id:581) in Tarumi Ward, Kobe. The contrast between stone-clad Goshikizuka and unpaved Kotsubo — kindred chieftains, or a difference in rank? — is one of the puzzles of this strait-side pair. Both are visited together in Goshikizuka Kofun Park.
Finds & research
Cylindrical haniwa rows on each tier (~320 estimated); no stone paving. Burial unexcavated. The excavated haniwa are Kobe City designated cultural properties.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A great two-tiered round mound (lower tier 70m, upper 43m, ~8.5m high) — Hyogo's second-largest round mound after Chasuriyama (id:588, ~90m). Each tier carried a haniwa row (an estimated 320 in all), but unlike neighboring Goshikizuka it bears no stone paving. Built in the late 4th–early 5th century, contemporaneous with Goshikizuka (the sequence is unknown). The burial is unexcavated; the finds are Kobe City cultural properties.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Included in the National Historic Site "Goshikizuka (Sentsubo) Kofun and Kotsubo Kofun" (1921), managed by Kobe City.
Field notes
About 5 min on foot from Kasumigaoka Station; managed as one park with Goshikizuka (9:00–17:00, free). Climb the mound for a fine view of its great neighbor.