★ World Heritage Sakai, Osaka Scallop-shaped mound

Magotayuyama Kofun

LocationSakai, Osaka
ShapeScallop-shaped mound
Mound length65 m
PeriodEarly 5th c.
World HeritageMozu-Furuichi Kofun Group (UNESCO)

Overview

The first-listed (No. I) satellite tomb of Daisen Kofun. A scallop-shaped mound, 65m long. The truncated front section of the scallop form represents a burial type for powerful figures ranking just below full keyhole-mound status. Dated to the early 5th century and constructed roughly contemporaneously with the main mound. Located southwest of the main mound, adjacent to the Daisen Park area.Constituent monument of the "Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group" UNESCO WHS (2019). The scallop-shaped mound form concentrates in the Mozu and Furuichi groups of the 5th century, documenting the diversification of burial mound forms in this period. The name "Magotayuyama" is said to derive from a local landowner or farmer of the Edo period, hinting at centuries of continuous land management. Restricted from general entry as an IHA satellite tomb, but the scallop outline is visible from the outer roads of Daisen Park.

Finds & research

No excavation permitted under IHA mausoleum regulations. Internal structure and grave goods remain unknown. Exterior viewable from public paths.

Two views on the occupant

Archaeological view
A satellite of Daisen Kofun classified as a "hotategai-kei" (scallop-shell-shaped) mound. This form is a variation of the keyhole mound in which the front section is drastically shortened, creating a shape resembling a scallop shell. 65m long, dated to the early 5th century. Scallop-shaped mounds flourished in the Middle Kofun period (5th century) as a tomb type ranking just below the standard keyhole form. The truncated front section may reflect reduced construction cost or a symbolic rank differentiation among elite burials.
Imperial Household Agency view
Managed by the IHA as "Satellite Tomb No. I" (the first-listed satellite) of the Nintoku Mausoleum. The IHA catalogs satellite tombs using the Japanese iroha syllabary (i, ro, ha, ni, ho, he, to…); this is tomb "I" (the first). Managed as an appendage of the Daisen Kofun imperial mausoleum.
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Sources

宮内庁百舌鳥・古市古墳群 公式サイト

Related kofun

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