Kashiwara's largest keyhole mound, behind Kokubu Shrine at Kokubu Ichiba. It is the central mound of the Early Kofun-period Matsuokayama group and survives well apart from part of the front section. The occupant is unknown.
Finds & research
Known finds include bronze mirrors, ornaments, weapons, agricultural tools, pottery, cylindrical haniwa, and finned oval cylindrical haniwa. Some objects from early investigations are now unlocated, and some findspots are uncertain. Kashiwara City treats the epitaph of Fune no Ogo and the triangular-rimmed deity-and-beast mirror as traditionally found in surrounding mounds or hills, with the exact findspot unknown, whereas the 1922 national designation text states that the epitaph of the Fune clan and three ancient mirrors were found when this site was dug.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
It was designated a National Historic Site on 8 March 1922. It stands on land owned by Kokubu Shrine, and visitors need the approval of the shrine office before visiting.
Archaeological view
A keyhole mound about 130m long on hills above the left bank of the Yamato River. Distinctive features include stone-slab mound construction, a six-slab assembled stone coffin exposed on the rear summit, perforated standing stones to its north and south, and large finned oval cylindrical haniwa. The original form of the vertical stone chamber that covered the coffin is unknown.
Field notes
Visitors should contact the adjacent Kokubu Shrine office before entering. The exposed coffin can be viewed on the rear summit, but the remains must not be touched.