Nakagō Kofun Cluster
Nakagō Kofun Cluster (中郷古墳群, Nakagō Kofun-gun) isa group of kofun burial mounds located in what is now part of the city of Tsuruga, Fukui in the Hokuriku region of Japan. The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1988.[1]
中郷古墳群 | |
 .svg.png){kind=icon} Nakagō Kofun Cluster  Nakagō Kofun Cluster (Japan) | |
| Location | Tsuruga, Fukui, Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Hokuriku region |
| Coordinates | 35°38′08″N 136°05′09″E |
| Type | kofun cluster |
| History | |
| Founded | 4th-5th century AD |
| Periods | Kofun |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | National Historic Site |
| Public access | Yes |
Overview
The kofun group is located on a hillside east of the centre of the city of Tsuruga facing the ocean, and consists of two separate groups, the Mukaiyama Kofun Cluster (向出山古墳群, Mukaiyama Kofun-gun) and the Myōjinyama Kofun Cluster (明神山古墳群, Myōjinyama Kofun-gun). These tombs date from the 4th to 6th century AD. The tumuli were discovered during the construction of a highway bypass connecting the Hokuriku Expressway with Japan National Route 8, during which time a number of other archaeological discoveries were made, including the Yoshikawa Site, a Yayoi period settlement, and the Kotanigahora Kofun Cluster; however, neither of these sites received government protection and were totally destroyed during highway construction after a hasty compliance excavation. The Nakagō Kofun Cluster itself did not receive full protection, and within the site only Mukaiyama Tombs 1, 3 and 4 and Myōjinyama Tombs 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10 are covered by the National Historic Site designation.
Mukaiyama Tomb 1 was excavated several times starting in 1954. Grave goods found include weapons such as swords, spearheads, and fragments of gold-plated armor and helmets, copper mirrors, and agricultural implements. The weapons in particular are considered to be rare examples nationwide, and have been preserved since 2010 at a private folk museum in Tsuruga.
Mukaiyama site
This site consists of three surviving kofun on a hilltop ridge in the Yoshikawa neighborhood of Tsuruga There is an explanatory plaque in front of each tumulus.
- Mukaiyama No.1: A large burial mound from the end of the fifth century, diameter 60 meters, height 9 meters in two stages, faced with fukiishi stones. There is also a possibility that it was originally a scallop-shaped tumulus with a total length of 75 meter. There are two pit-type stone chambers at the top of the mound, and a large number of burial items have been excavated. However, the south side is partly missing due to construction work.
- Mukaiyama No.2: This was a circular tumulus from the 5th century, possibility older than Mukaiyama No. 1. It was demolished during to the construction work of 1983.
- Mukaiyama No.3: This is a circular tumulus from the second half of the sixth century, with a diameter of 15 meters, a height of 4 meters, with a lateral hole stone chamber (total length 7.2 meters, length of the entry room 3.7 meters, width of 2.0 meters, height 2.7 meters) .
- Mukaiyama No.4: This is a circular tumulus from the second half of the sixth century, diameter 8 meters, height 2 meters, partially collapsed due to overgrowth of trees and plants.
Myōjinyama site
This site consists of 23 kofun, of which five survive, on a hilltop ridge in the Sakanoshita neighborhood of Tsuruga The site does not have any pathways or placards.
- Myōjinyama No.1: Keyhole-shaped tumulus from the 4th century, length 47 meters, height 5.5 meters, faced with fukiishi stones.
- Myōjinyama No.2: Circular tumulus from the 4th century
- Myōjinyama No.3: Keyhole-shaped tumulus from the 4th century, length 53.5 meters, height 7 meters
- Myōjinyama No 9: A keyhole-shaped tumulus from the first half of the sixth century, a length of 20 meters, a height of 3 meters, with a lateral hole type stone chamber
- Myōjinyama No.10: A a circular tumulus
References
- "中郷古墳群 なかごうこふんぐん" [Nakago kofun cluster] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
External links
- Tsuruga city home page (in Japanese)
- Fukui Prefectural home page (in Japanese)