Nara Pref. Central-round twin-projection mound

Kushiyama Kofun

LocationNara Pref.
ShapeCentral-round twin-projection mound
Mound length152 m
Period4th century
DesignationNational Historic Site

Overview

Mound length 152m. Its distinctive plan couples a large central round mound (about 90m across) with rectangular projections to the north and south, ranking among the largest of the rare soho-chuen-fun type. It lies just east of Andonyama Kofun (Emperor Sujin’s tomb) along the Yamanobe-no-michi trail.

Finds & research

Numerous fragments of jasper arm ornaments (107 ishikushiro bracelets, 105 sharinseki, 23 kuwagata-ishi) were recovered, along with clay imitation objects and Haji ware. The burial facility is a pit-style stone chamber with a chest-shaped sarcophagus.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
A rare soho-chuen-fun — a central round mound flanked by rectangular projections on two sides. Built in the 4th century (Early Kofun period). The pit-style chamber in the round mound held a nagamochi-gata (chest-shaped) sarcophagus.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not an Imperial Household Agency mausoleum. Designated a National Historic Site in 1957. It sits immediately east of Andonyama Kofun (id:203, attributed to Emperor Sujin) and belongs to the Oyamato–Yanagimoto tumulus groups.

Field notes

On the Yamanobe-no-michi walking trail; can be visited together with Andonyama Kofun and Kurozuka Kofun (id:205).

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Sources

文化遺産オンライン 櫛山古墳天理市 櫛山古墳Wikipedia 櫛山古墳

Related kofun

Hashihaka Kofun (280m) Nishitonozuka Kofun (230m) Higashitonozuka Kofun (139m) Andonyama Kofun (242m) Shibutanimukaiyama Kofun (300m) Kurozuka Kofun (130m)
← Kanmaki Kudo Kofun No.3 Shirageyama Kofun →