Jōnozuka Kofun

Jōnozuka Kofun (上ノ塚古墳, Jōnozuka Kofun) is a keyhole-shaped kofun burial mound located in what is now part of the town of Wakasa, Fukui in the Hokuriku region of Japan. The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1935.[1]

Jōnozuka Kofun
上ノ塚古墳
Jōnozuka Kofun
Jōnozuka Kofun
Jōnozuka Kofun (Japan)
LocationWakasa, Fukui, Japan
RegionHokuriku region
Coordinates35°28′4.4″N 135°52′28.36″E
Typekofun
History
Founded4th to 5th century AD
PeriodsKofun
Site notes
OwnershipNational Historic Site
Public accessYes

Overview

The Jōnozuka Kofun is one of a group of seven kofun located in the Wakibukuro neighborhood of central Wakasa, west of the tracks of the JR West Obama Line railway and is located in the center of the group. Together with the Nishizuka Kofun and the Nakatsuka Kofun, it was known to local legend as the tomb of one of the "Kings of Wakasa". The entire length is about 100 meters in there tiers, with the circular portion having a diameter of 64 meters, and the width of the square portion at 60 meters with a length of 36 meters. It is the largest keyhole-shaped kofun in the Wakasa area which has retained most of its original shape. The round tumulus has a height of 6 meters and was covered in fukiishi. Fragments of haniwa of various types have been found in the surrounding fields. The tumulus was also originally surrounded by a moat.

Currently, the site of the moat is under rice paddies and the tumulus is surrounded by farmland. Judging from the burial goods excavated (mostly pieces of wood and metal), the tumulus dates from the late 4th century to early 5th century. The name of the person interred is unknown; however from the name of the nearby hill (Zenbuyama, 膳部山), it mostly likely corresponds to the grave of a head of the Kashiwade clan (膳氏), who are recorded in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki as having served as Kuni no miyatsuko of Wakasa Province since the time of the legendary Emperor Kōgen.

The site was excavated in 1992, and in 2008 by ground-penetrating radar.

See also

References
  1. "上ノ塚古墳" [Jōnozuka kofun] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
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