Osaka Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound

Kurohimeyama Kofun

LocationOsaka Pref.
ShapeKeyhole-shaped mound
Mound length114 m
PeriodMid–late 5th c.

Overview

The burial mound with the largest armor find in Japan (over 80 pieces including 24 short cuirasses and 28 helmets). Located in Mihara Ward, Sakai City; 114m long, rear circle ~62m, front section ~72m wide. Dated mid to late 5th century. The armor cache suggests a highly militaristic occupant—perhaps a military commander positioned between the Mozu and Furuichi groups. The armor was deposited en masse on the ritual platform at the mound's waist section. National Historic Site.Archaeologically significant for its exceptional armor finds. The 24 short cuirasses represent the largest single-mound armor discovery in Japan, providing first-rank evidence for understanding ancient Japanese military organization. The excavated armor is on display at the Osaka Prefectural Chikatsu-Asuka Museum and the Sakai City Museum. Its location exactly between the Mozu and Furuichi groups has fueled theories that the occupant played a military role between the two power centers. Residential development surrounds the mound, but the burial mound itself is well preserved.

Finds & research

Excavations by Sakai City Board of Education (around the time of National Historic Site designation). The most significant finds — the armor cache — were deposited en masse in the ritual platform (tsukuridashi) at the mound's waist section: over 80 pieces of weapons and armor including 24 short cuirasses (tanko) and 28 helmets with front ridges (the largest single-mound armor find in Japan), plus iron swords, iron arrowheads, beads, and horse gear. Excavated armor is on display at the Osaka Prefectural Chikatsu-Asuka Museum and the Sakai City Museum.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
Occupant unknown. Dated to the mid to late 5th century. The defining archaeological feature is the massive cache of armor: more than 80 pieces of weaponry and equipment, including 24 short cuirasses (tanko) and 28 helmets with front ridges (shokaku-tsuki kabuto), the largest single-mound armor find in Japan. The armor was deposited en masse in a deliberately arranged cache at the waist section of the mound. Other finds include iron swords, iron arrowheads, jewels, and horse gear, confirming a highly militaristic occupant. Haniwa typology supports a date around the 470s.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not managed by the IHA. National historic site administered by the Sakai City Board of Education, located in Mihara Ward. No record of designation as an imperial or aristocratic tomb. As it is not listed as an IHA reference site, it is one of the few large kofun amenable to full archaeological excavation. Designated a National Historic Site in 1952.
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Sources

堺市教育委員会国史跡指定書

Related kofun

Daisen Kofun (525m) Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun (365m) Haji Nisanzai Kofun (300m) Gobyoyama Kofun (203m) Tadeiyama Kofun (148m) Itasuke Kofun (146m)
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