Nara Pref. Keyhole-shaped mound

Yashikiyama Kofun

LocationNara Pref.
ShapeKeyhole-shaped mound
Mound length135 m
PeriodMid 5th c.

Overview

The "mansion hill" of Minami-Fujii, reused for a medieval castle and Edo-period residence — heartland of the Katsuragi polity, now beloved as Yashikiyama Park.

Finds & research

Pit-chamber ceiling stones and Tatsuyama chest sarcophagus (museum); glass beads, iron spear, knives.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
A keyhole mound 135m+ long — the largest in Katsuragi — built in the mid-5th century. Its pit-chamber ceiling stones and Tatsuyama-stone chest sarcophagus (displayed at the city museum) used royal-grade materials, marking a chieftain of the Katsuragi clan that rivaled the Yamato kings. Glass beads, an iron spear, and knives recovered.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. National Historic Site (1972), managed by Katsuragi City.

Field notes

Open as Yashikiyama Park (9:00–17:00), ~20 min from Shinjo Station; see the sarcophagus at the city museum.

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Sources

葛城市Wikipedia

Related kofun

Jo Urugami Kofun (65m) Hiranozuka Anayama Kofun (18m) Ichio Hakayama Kofun (66m) Ichio Miyazuka Kofun (44m) Kataokaiwatsuki-no-Oka-Minami-no-Misasagi (20m) Kataokaiwatsuki-no-Oka-Kita-no-Misasagi (20m)
← Koseyama Kofun Cluster Futatsuka Kofun (Katsuragi) →