Kitsuneyama Kofun
Kitsuneyama Kofun (狐山古墳, Kitsuneyama Kofun) is a middle Kofun period keyhole-shaped tumulus located in what is now part of the city of Kaga, Ishikawa in the Hokuriku region of Japan. The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1932.[1]
狐山古墳 | |
 | |
 .svg.png){kind=icon} Kitsuneyama Kofun  Kitsuneyama Kofun (Japan) | |
| Location | Kaga, Ishikawa, Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Hokuriku region |
| Coordinates | 36°18′30″N 136°22′46″E |
| Type | Kofun |
| History | |
| Founded | Kofun period |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | National Historic Site |
| Public access | Yes |
Overview
The site is located in the middle of rice paddies some 200 meters north of the Nikozuka neighbourhood of the city of Kaga. The tumulus is orientated east-west, and has a total length of 54 meters. The circular portion is 29 meters in diameter and the rectangular front portion is 25 meters in width. The tumulus was surrounded by a moat with an average width of 10 meters. During construction work in 1932, a 2.7 meter long sarcophagus made of tuff was discovered. Inside were the bone of a youth, along with an extraordinary amount of grave goods, including weapons, bronze mirrors, amor, jewellery (silver bands, gold and copper balls, round and tubular beads). During excavation of the moat from 1973-1974, haniwa fragments were discovered. In a subsequent survey, an additional 36 kofun have been discovered in the surrounding area. The design of the tumulus and the grave goods indicate that it was built in the fifth century.
From 1960, the site has also been registered as an "Ishikawa Prefecture Cultural Property".
References
- "狐山古墳" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
External links
- Ishikawa Prefectural information home page (in Japanese)