Saitobaru kofungun
Encyclopedia
Saitobaru kofungun is a group of three hundred thirty three kofun
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
situated on a 70-meter hill composed of diluvium
.
s) and 10 Yokoana (横穴) kofun
s and 12 underground kofun
s, the last being peculiar to southern Kyushu
. 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.
which was completely encircled by an earthwork (archaeology). This is unique and reminds one of kofuns in China.
Kofun
Kofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...
s or tumuli in Saito
Saito
-People:Saitō or Saitou is a common Japanese surname, including:...
city, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. This is one of the largest kofun groups in Japan, and the largest group in Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
situated on a 70-meter hill composed of diluvium
Diluvium
Diluvium is a term in geology for superficial deposits formed by flood-like operations of water, and so contrasted with alluvium or alluvial deposits formed by slow and steady aqueous agencies...
.
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)), kofunKofun
Kofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...
s) and 10 Yokoana (横穴) kofun
Kofun
Kofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...
s and 12 underground kofun
Kofun
Kofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...
s, the last being peculiar to southern Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. 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.
Osahozuka and Mesahozuka
- Osahozuka kofun is the Japan's largest hotatekai-shaped kofunKofunKofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...
, 175 meters long. - Mesahozuka kofunKofunKofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...
is a 180-meter-long zenpo-koenfun. Both belong to Emperor-related kofuns.
Himezuka Kofun
- A 50-meter-long keyhole-shaped kofunKofunKofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...
, 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 kofunKofun
Kofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...
which was completely encircled by an earthwork (archaeology). This is unique and reminds one of kofuns in China.
See also
- KofunKofunKofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...
- List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments
- List of National Treasures of Japan (archaeological materials)
- Cultural Properties of Japan#Buried Cultural Properties
- History of Miyazaki PrefectureHistory of Miyazaki PrefectureAn outline of the history of Miyazaki Prefecture is described herein.-Etymology:In was in Wamyo Ruijusho that Miyazaki first appeared in Japanese documents as one of the names of 5 guns in Miyazaki...
External links
- Saitobaru Kofungun
- Saitobaru Kofungun
- National Treasure Database
- Japanese kofuns