Saitobaru Kofun Cluster () is a group of three hundred thirty three
kofun
are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. ''Kofun'' were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.岡田裕之「前方後円墳」『日本古代史大辞典』 ...
s or tumuli in
Saito city, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. This is one of the largest kofun groups in Japan, and the largest group in
Kyushu
is the third-largest island of Japan's five main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands ( i.e. excluding Okinawa). In the past, it has been known as , and . The historical regional name referred to Kyushu and its surroun ...
situated on a 70-meter hill composed of
diluvium. It is located within the
Saitobaru-Sugiyasukyō Prefectural Natural Park
is a Prefectural Natural Park in central Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1958, the park is within the municipality of Saito. The park encompasses the Saitobaru tumulus cluster and the , celebrated for its momiji.
See also
* Nationa ...
.
General description
The Saitobaru kofungun or Burial Mounds were designated by the national government as a special historical site in 1952. The majority of the tumuli in Saitobaru have yet to be excavated and many remain wrapped in a veil of mystery. There are 311 elevated mounds, (31 keyhole-shaped mound (zenpo-koenfun (前方後円墳), unique to ancient Japan, 1 Houfun(方墳）, 279 circular type (empun (円墳)),
kofun
are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. ''Kofun'' were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.岡田裕之「前方後円墳」『日本古代史大辞典』 ...
s) and 10 Yokoana (横穴)
kofun
are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. ''Kofun'' were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.岡田裕之「前方後円墳」『日本古代史大辞典』 ...
s and 12 underground
kofun
are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. ''Kofun'' were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.岡田裕之「前方後円墳」『日本古代史大辞典』 ...
s, the last being peculiar to southern
Kyushu
is the third-largest island of Japan's five main islands and the most southerly of the four largest islands ( i.e. excluding Okinawa). In the past, it has been known as , and . The historical regional name referred to Kyushu and its surroun ...
. The first scientific excavation was made in 1912. In 1952, Saito City Museum was founded, which was later changed to Miyazaki Prefectural Saitobaru Archaeological Museum.
Important Kofuns
Osahozuka and Mesahozuka
*Osahozuka kofun is the Japan's largest hotatekai-shaped
kofun
are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. ''Kofun'' were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.岡田裕之「前方後円墳」『日本古代史大辞典』 ...
, 175 meters long.
Japan Cultural Profile, Saitobaru Burial Mounds
/ref>
*Mesahozuka kofun
are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. ''Kofun'' were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.岡田裕之「前方後円墳」『日本古代史大辞典』 ...
is a 180-meter-long zenpo-koenfun. Both belong to Emperor-related kofuns.
Himezuka Kofun
*A 50-meter-long keyhole-shaped kofun
are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. ''Kofun'' were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.岡田裕之「前方後円墳」『日本古代史大辞典』 ...
, one of the most beautiful kofuns encircled by a moat and had precious treasures such as swords, vases, glass-balls inside. It was assumed to be built in the early 6th century.
Oninoiwaya Kofun
It was the only sideway kofun
are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. ''Kofun'' were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.岡田裕之「前方後円墳」『日本古代史大辞典』 ...
which was completely encircled by an earthwork (archaeology)
In archaeology, earthworks are artificial changes in land level, typically made from piles of artificially placed or sculpted rocks and soil. Earthworks can themselves be archaeological features, or they can show features beneath the surface.
T ...
. This is unique and reminds one of kofuns in China.
See also
*Kofun
are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. ''Kofun'' were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.岡田裕之「前方後円墳」『日本古代史大辞典』 ...
*
* List of National Treasures of Japan (archaeological materials)
* Cultural Properties of Japan#Buried Cultural Properties
*History of Miyazaki Prefecture
This is an outline of the history of Miyazaki Prefecture.
Etymology
It was in ''Wamyō Ruijushō'' that Miyazaki first appeared in Japanese documents as one of the names of 5 guns (subprefecture) in Miyazaki. According to the ''History of Miyazak ...
References
External links
Saitobaru Kofungun
National Treasure Database
* Japanese kofuns
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saitobarekofungun
Kofun
Buildings and structures in Miyazaki Prefecture
History of Miyazaki Prefecture
Special Historic Sites