The is a

Kofun period The is an era in the history of Japan from about 300 to 538 AD (the date of the introduction of Buddhism), following the Yayoi period. The Kofun and the subsequent Asuka periods are sometimes collectively called the Yamato period. This period is ...

decorated kofun is the term used for kofun or ancient Japanese tombs ornamented with Japanese painting, painted or Japanese sculpture, carved decoration. The tombs take the form of tumuli or earthen mounds piled over stone chambers as well as caves excavated from ...

burial mound Burial, also known as interment or inhumation, is a method of final disposition whereby a dead body is placed into the ground, sometimes with objects. This is usually accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing the deceased and objec ...

s, located in the Jumei neighborhood of the town of Keisen,

Fukuoka Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. Fukuoka Prefecture has a population of 5,109,323 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 4,986 Square kilometre, km2 (1,925 sq mi). Fukuoka Prefecture borders ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

. The tumulus was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1937, and elevated in status to that of a Special National Historic Site in 1956

Overview

The Ōzuka Kofun was discovered by chance on September 30, 1934, when the front part of the stone

burial chamber A chamber tomb is a tomb for burial used in many different cultures. In the case of individual burials, the chamber is thought to signify a higher status for the interred than a simple grave. Built from rock or sometimes wood, the chambers could ...

was scraped away during construction work. The shape of the tumulus is that of a , which is shaped like a keyhole, having one square end and one circular end, when viewed from above; however, more than half of the mound has been lost due to previous construction work. The original length is estimated to have been 86 meters, with a posterior circular portion diameter of 56 meters and height of 9.5 meters, and an anterior rectangular portion width of 60 meters. The tumulus was constructed in two tiers, with alternating layers of red and black clay, covered by ''

fukiishi ( or "roofing stone") were a means of covering burial chambers and Tumulus, burial mounds during the kofun period of Japan (). Stones collected from riverbeds were affixed to the slopes of raised kofun and other burial chambers. They are consi ...

''. It was surrounded by a double moat. The burial chamber is a horizontal entry stone chamber, with a stone shelf at the top of the back wall and a small window above the entrance. It has a house-shaped cap stone that covers the

sarcophagus A sarcophagus (: sarcophagi or sarcophaguses) is a coffin, most commonly carved in stone, and usually displayed above ground, though it may also be buried. The word ''sarcophagus'' comes from the Greek language, Greek wikt:σάρξ, σάρξ ...

, and the floor is divided into areas for two burials, with two depressions are made to place the heads, and two stone pillows. However, it is estimated that four people were buried here. Currently, the

is completely sealed for preservation, although it open to the public twice a year, in spring and fall. It is noteworthy in that mural painting that covers almost the entire surface of the burial chamber. The images depicted include horses, shields, swords, bows, and geometric patterns such as concentric ring patterns, ''warabi'' patterns, triangular patterns, and circular patterns. Six colors (red, yellow, green, blue, black, and white) have been confirmed in

around Japan, and this tumulus uses five of these six colors (except for blue). This is the highest number of colors for any known tomb in Japan. When excavated, the burial chamber was found to be intact, and thus a large number of

grave goods Grave goods, in archaeology and anthropology, are items buried along with a body. They are usually personal possessions, supplies to smooth the deceased's journey into an afterlife, or offerings to gods. Grave goods may be classed by researche ...

were recovered. These include a

bronze mirror Bronze mirrors preceded the glass mirrors of today. This type of mirror, sometimes termed a copper mirror, has been found by archaeologists among elite assemblages from various cultures, from Etruscan Italy to Japan. Typically they are round a ...

, a

lapis lazuli Lapis lazuli (; ), or lapis for short, is a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. Originating from the Persian word for the gem, ''lāžward'', lapis lazuli is ...

tubular bead, two wooden beads with metal inlay, nine earthen beads, one amber bead, one gold item, metal fittings for horse harnesses, saddles and stirrups, and iron swords, arrowheads and a large quantity of

Sue ware was a blue-gray form of stoneware pottery fired at high temperature, which was produced in Japan and southern Korea during the Kofun, Nara, and Heian periods of Japanese history. It was initially used for funerary and ritual objects, and orig ...

pottery. The excavated artifacts were designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 1956 and are stored at the

Kyoto National Museum The is one of the major art museums in Japan. Located in Kyoto's Higashiyama ward, the museum focuses on pre-modern Japanese and Asian art. History The Kyoto National Museum, then the Imperial Museum of Kyoto, was proposed, along with the Imp ...

. The tumulus is a six-minute walk (480 meters) from

Keisen Station is a passenger railway station located in the town of Keisen, Kaho District, Fukuoka, Japan. It is operated by JR Kyushu. Lines Keisen Station is served by the Chikuhō Main Line and is located 45.3 km from the starting point of the li ...

on the

JR Kyushu The , also referred to as , is one of the seven constituent companies of Japan Railways Group (JR Group). It operates intercity rail services within Kyushu, Japan. It formerly operated the Beetle hydrofoil service across the Tsushima Strait be ...

Chikuho Main Line. The on site has displays of the murals in the burial chamber.

References

External links

Ozuka Kofun Museum home pageFukuoka Tourism Web
{in lang, ja History of Fukuoka Prefecture Special Historic Sites Zenpokoenfun Decorated kofun

Overview

See also

References

External links