Nara Pref. Square mound

Koshitsuka-Gomon Kofun

LocationNara Pref.
ShapeSquare mound
PeriodLate 7th c.

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
Leveled and of unknown size, its megalithic corridor chamber of quartz diorite 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 — the discovery that clinched 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

明日香村Wikipedia

Related kofun

Takamatsuzuka Kofun (23m) Miyakozuka Kofun (42m) Kengyushizuka Kofun (30m) Iwayama Kofun (40m) Ishibutai Kofun (51m) Noguchi-no-o-no-haka Kofun (45m)
← Hanayama-Nishizuka Kofun Midoro Kofun →