Ebisuyama Kofun

Kofun period burial mound in Yosano, Japan
35°30′25.76″N 135°6′16.25″E / 35.5071556°N 135.1045139°E / 35.5071556; 135.1045139TypeKofunHistoryFoundedc.4th centuryPeriodsKofun periodSite notesPublic accessYes (No facilities)
National Historic Site of Japan
Map

The Ebisuyama Kofun (蛭子山古墳) is a Kofun period burial mound, located in the Yosano neighborhood of the town of Yosano, Kyoto in the Kansai region of Japan. The tumulus was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1930.[1]

Overview

The Ebisuyama Kofun is a zenpō-kōen-fun (前方後円墳), which is shaped like a keyhole, having one square end and one circular end, when viewed from above. It is located in the Noda River basin in the Tango Peninsula, and is orientated to the northwest. The tumulus has an overall length of 170 meters, and is the largest of a group of eight tumuli in this vicinity. It is estimated to have been constructed in the middle of the Kofun period, or the early 4th century. The tumulus was constructed in three tiers, and had both fukiishi, and cylindrical and figurative haniwa. After damage due to the 1927 North Tango earthquake, the tumulus was excavated and three burial facilities have been found in the center of the posterior circular portion, of which one contained a boat-shaped sarcophagus with elaborate carvings. Grave goods included bronze mirrors and iron swords and spearheads. The sarcophagus was designated a Kyoto Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property in 2019.[2] Currently, the site, together with the Tsukuriyama Kofun, is open to the public as the Yosano Municipal Kofun Park.[2]

The tumulus is about 15 minutes by car from Nodagawa Station on the Miyazu Line of the Kyoto Tango Railway.[2]

Total length
170 meters:
Anterior rectangular portion
62 meters wide x 11 meters high, 3-tier
Posterior circular portion
100 meter diameter x 16 meters high, 3-tiers

Gallery

  • Summit of posterior circular portion
    Summit of posterior circular portion
  • Posterior looking towards anterior
    Posterior looking towards anterior
  • Anterior looking towards posterior
    Anterior looking towards posterior
  • Sarcophagus
    Sarcophagus
  • iron spearhead
    iron spearhead
  • Cylindrical haniwa
    Cylindrical haniwa
  • Cylindrical haniwa
    Cylindrical haniwa

See also

  • List of Historic Sites of Japan (Kyoto)

References

  1. ^ "蛭子山古墳" [Ebisuyama Kofun] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c 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

Media related to Ebisuyama Kofun at Wikimedia Commons

  • Yosano Tourist Information home page (in Japanese)