Himeogawa Kofun
The Himeogawa Kofun (姫小川古墳, Himeogawa kofun) is an archaeological site containing a late fourth century Kofun period burial mound located in what is now part of the city of Anjō, Aichi in the Tōkai region of Japan. The site was designated as a National Historic Site by the Japanese government in 1927.[1]
姫小川古墳 | |
 .svg.png.webp){kind=icon} Himeogawa Kofun  Himeogawa Kofun (Japan) | |
| Location | Anjō, Aichi, Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Tōkai region |
| Coordinates | 34°54′56″N 137°05′44″E |
| History | |
| Periods | Kofun period |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | National Historic Site |
| Public access | Yes |
Overview
This kofun is located on the eastern edge of the Hekikai Plateau facing the alluvial lowland of the west bank of the Yahagi River at an altitude of 12.5 meters, but protruding only four meters above the surrounding rice paddies. The overall length is 66 meters, with a 44 meter diameter circular portion with a height of 7 meters. This circular portion is surmounted with an Asama Jinja Shinto shrine. The rectangular portion has a length of 27 meters and width of 31.5 meters with a height of 2 meters. The tumulus is in an area with many kofun, known as the Sakurai Kofun group, and includes the Futago Kofun.
As a result of a 2016 excavation, it was found that the front portion was closer to trapezoidal rather than rectangular as originally assumed, with changes to the terrain caused by landfill in the Edo period and after World War II. The same survey found traces of moats on the west and north sides, but for unknown reasons the moats did not extend to the south side. The tumulus was originally covered in fukiishi stones, but appeared to be earth-fill with no stone burial chamber. This appears to be a characteristic of the kofun in the Sakurai Kofun group, rather than an indication of age, as some haniwa fragments were also discovered.
It is located about 15 minutes on foot from Sakurai Station on the Meitetsu Nishio Line.
References
- "姫小川古墳" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
External links
- Anjo city home page (in Japanese)
- Anjo City Museum of History (in Japanese)