Two Huge Kofun Tombs in Japan – Amenomiya Kofun – 雨の宮古墳群
#kofun #kofunperiod #tumulus
Located in the Nakanato area of Ishikawa prefecture (石川県中能登町) the Amenomiya Kofun/Tumulus Group consists of 36 tumuli built from the middle of the 4th century to the beginning of the 5th century, with the two largest tombs (the two in the video) sitting on the summit of 188 metre tall Bijo Mountain. The people buried in these two burial mounds are assumed to have been powerful people who had control over the entire Noto Peninsula area.
Tomb No. 1, located on the highest point of the mountain is the largest of its type (zenpōkōhōfun-前方後方墳) in the prefecture at 64 metres long. Two burial facilities were discovered on the flat surface at top of the rear section. One is located in the centre of the sections, and the second located to its west. The central burial chamber contained a split bamboo-shaped wooden coffin that was 6.2 metres long and 80 centimetres wide with a rope hook on both the lid and the body. There is evidence that it was robbed in antiquity however some remaining grave goods included a bronze mirror, 165 metal artifacts, 34 jade beads, and fragments of lacquerware and pottery. The second burial chamber is made of andesite stone slabs, but has not been opened.
Tomb No. 2 is a 65 metre long keyhole shaped kofun (zenpōkōenfun-前方後円墳) located just 50 metres northeast of Tomb No. 1. The kofun has not been excavated, and as there is no evidence of grave-robbing it’s possible that the burial chamber is intact.
The other kofun in the group of 36 are mostly smaller circular type tombs i.e. enpun-円墳, and most are hidden away in amongst the forest trees.
More information (English) : https://kankou.nn-dmo.or.jp/en/article/amenomiya-kofun-cluster/
Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/i3XzCTNsCqNwDfm2A
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Q: What am I watching here ?
A: You are watching footage of a “kofun/古墳” – kofun are tombs in Japan that were created during the Kofun Period (roughly between the 3rd and 7th Century AD) – this era was preceded by the Jomon and Yayoi periods, and followed by Asuka, Nara and so on. These tombs were built as burial chambers for people from Japanese imperial families and other people of higher status in society during those days. The most well-known and generally largest tombs are found around Kyoto and Osaka, but they are found all over Kansai, Kanto, Tohoku etc., and even in other parts of Japan such as Shikoku and Kyushu. Figures vary greatly, but some sources state there are over 160000 of these kofun in Japan. At times you will see haniwa on and around kofun – haniwa are terracotta figures which were made in various shapes, including being formed as people and animals.
Have a read of the the Wikipedia article for more information : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun
Ideally I’d like to build a kofun appreciation community of sorts, but that is just a dream right now. You can hit me up on:
https://www.instagram.com/japankofun/
1 Comment
You were having prime British weather – the blessing of all temperate island nations.
Great views – looks like it must be about 500m above sea level rather than 200. The rectangular one looks almost like a Japanese castle and the other one looks like a motte and (very skinny) bailey.
I wonder whether there is a degree of imitating period strongholds in the construction of some kofun – maintaining earthly power into the afterlife by reflecting earthly structures.