Kannondaira-Tenjindō Kofun Group
The Kannondaira-Tenjindō Kofun cluster (観音平・天神堂古墳群, Kannondaira-Tenjindō Kofun-gun) is an archaeological site containing two separate groups of early to middle Kofun period burial tumulii located in what is now part of the city of Myōkō, Niigata in the Hokuriku region of Japan. The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1978.[1]
観音平・天神堂古墳群 | |
 Kofun in the Kannondaira Kofun group | |
 .svg.png.webp){kind=icon} Kannondaira-Tenjindō Kofun group  Kannondaira-Tenjindō Kofun Group (Japan) | |
| Location | Myōkō, Niigata, Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Hokuriku region |
| Coordinates | 37°03′36″N 138°13′55″E |
| Type | Kofun |
| Area | 101,160 sq meters |
| History | |
| Periods | Kofun period |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | Yes |
Overview
The Kannondaira-Tenjindō Kofun cluster consists of two separate groups of kofun, approximately one kilometer apart, located approximately 10 minutes by car from Arai Station on the JR East Shinetsu Main Line. [2]
The Kannondaira Site contains three groups of approximately 53 tumuli, including one keyhole-shaped tomb (zenpō-kōen-fun (前方後円墳)) dating from the 3rd century. Most of the tombs are dome-shaped (empun (円墳)), although one is scallop-shaped (hotategai-gata kofun (帆立貝形古墳)) and some are square-shaped (hōfun (方墳)), indicating that the site is from a transitional period between the Yayoi period and the Kofun period. Haniwa and fukiishi have been recovered from the area. The keyhole-shaped tomb is designated No.4 in the group, and has a total length of 33.6 meters, with a dome-portion measuring 19.0 by 23.0 meters, and a trapezoidal portion with length of 11.6 meters and width of 7.0 meters, narrowing to 50 meters at the "neck" where it connects with the dome. No grave goods were found in this tomb.[2]
The Tenjindō Site also consists of three groups of tumuli, of which 188 have thus far been catalogued, making it one of the largest sites in Niigata Prefecture. Almost all of the tumuli are small and dome-shaped, with diameters between five and twenty meters. The site has been repeatedly excavated by Tokyo University. Grave goods recovered include Sue ware, bronze mirrors, straight iron swords, parts of armor, horse fittings and items of jewellery. From these grave goods, it is estimated that these tumuli were constructed from the late 5th century to the late 6th century.[2]
The two sites flank a large moated late Yayoi period to early Kofun-period settlement, the Hida Site, which has a separate National Historic Site designation. The Kannondaira cluster is to the north, and the Tenjindō cluster is to the south, and these areas may have been the necropolis for this settlement. As the area was mostly covered in forest, the state of preservation was relatively good, although even in 1976 it had been reported that a number of the known kofun has been destroyed due to urban encroachment, road construction, landslides and robbery. After the designation as a National Historic Site, the area has been cleared and opened to the public as an archaeological park, with a small museum to display some of the artifacts found.[2]
References
- "観音平・天神堂古墳群" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- Isomura, Yukio; Sakai, Hideya (2012). (国指定史跡事典) National Historic Site Encyclopedia. 学生社. ISBN 4311750404.(in Japanese)
External links
- Myōkō city official home page (in Japanese)