Nara Pref. Square mound

Koshitsuka-Gomon Kofun

LocationNara Pref.
ShapeSquare mound
Estimated mound sideabout 20m (reconstruction hypothesis)
PeriodLate 7th c.
DesignationNational Historic Site

Overview

Found at the foot of Kengoshizuka exactly where the chronicles said it should be — a rare spot where text and archaeology click into place.

Finds & research

Monolithic corridor chamber of quartz diorite; finds not detailed.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
The mound is levelled and its measured size is unknown, though an Asuka Village study suggests a possible reconstruction as a square mound about 20m on each side. Its megalithic side-entry chamber of quartz diorite — hollowed out of a huge block and opening to the south — was found in 2010. Built in the late 7th century, its position "before" Kengoshizuka (id:266) matches the Nihon Shoki's 667 record of Princess Ota's burial fronting Empress Saimei's tomb, so the leading view identifies it as the tomb of Princess Ota (daughter of Emperor Tenji and mother of Prince Otsu) — the discovery that decisively strengthened the Kengoshizuka-as-Saimei theory.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Part of the National Historic Site "Kengoshizuka & Koshitsuka-Gomon Kofun" (1923; this mound added 2014).

Field notes

Maintained with Kengoshizuka (id:266); free to walk through, with the chamber viewed through a fence and paid reserved openings. While Kengoshizuka was inscribed as a component of the World Heritage site "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara" in 2026, Koshitsuka-Gomon itself is not among the 19 listed components.

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Sources

公的資料 Estimated mound side明日香村 牽牛子塚古墳・越塚御門古墳整備基本計画明日香村 一般公開案内

Related kofun

Takamatsuzuka Kofun (23m) Miyakozuka Kofun (42m) Kengoshizuka Kofun (22m) Iwayayama Kofun (40m) Ishibutai Kofun (51m) Noguchi-no-o-no-haka Kofun (37m)
← Hanayama-Nishizuka Kofun Midoro Kofun →