★ World Heritage Sakai, Osaka Scallop-shaped mound

Magodayuyama Kofun

Satellite Tomb No. I of the Mausoleum of Emperor Nintoku
LocationSakai, Osaka
ShapeScallop-shaped mound
Mound length65 m
PeriodMid-5th c.
DesignationMunicipal Historic Site
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 is regarded as a burial type for powerful figures ranking just below full keyhole-mound status. Sakai City dates it to the middle of the 5th century, the World Heritage site to the first half. It lies south of Daisen's front section, on the projected axis of the great mound and with its own axis parallel to Daisen's outer moat, its front section facing west; the rear circle stands 7.7m high. The front section and moat were reconstructed from confirmation surveys made when the park was laid out. The rear circle is administered by the IHA, the front section and moat by Sakai City (designated a Sakai City Historic Site in 2017).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. Restricted from general entry as an IHA satellite tomb, but the scallop outline is visible from the outer roads of Daisen Park.

Finds & research

The internal burial facility remains unexcavated under IHA management. However, a confirmation survey in FY2011 identified the mound edge and the outer edge of the moat, with fukiishi (facing stones) and haniwa recovered (Sakai City). Interior 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, with a rear circle 46m across and 7.7m high built in two tiers, and a front section 26m wide and 2m high. Dated to the middle of the 5th century by Sakai City and to the first half by the World Heritage site. Scallop-shaped mounds flourished in the Middle Kofun period (5th century) as a tomb type ranking just below the standard keyhole form.
Imperial Household Agency view
Managed by the IHA as "Satellite Tomb No. I, detached parcel" (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 (Nintoku) imperial mausoleum, in accordance with the IHA's mausoleum visitation system.
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Sources

百舌鳥・古市古墳群 公式サイト堺市「孫太夫山古墳前方部および周濠」文化庁 文化遺産オンライン(世界遺産構成資産解説)

Related kofun

Daisen Kofun (486m) Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun (365m) Haze Nisanzai Kofun (300m) Gobyoyama Kofun (203m) Tadeiyama Kofun (148m) Itasuke Kofun (146m)
← Nagayama Kofun Tatsusayama Kofun →