A National Historic Site that Joyo City describes as one of the oldest kofun, built in the early 3rd century, the age of Himiko. Most of its front has been levelled by a road, so the total length is unknown. It is part of the Kutsukawa Kofun Group.
Finds & research
Finds include a four-beast mirror, copper bracelets, glass beads, jasper tubular beads, and magatama, collectively designated National Important Cultural Properties.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
It was designated a National Historic Site in 1989, and its finds are National Important Cultural Properties.
Archaeological view
One of the earliest square-fronted, square-backed burials, at Terada Otani, Joyo (Joyo City’s kofun guide gives the location as Kuse Shibagahara). Most of the front has been levelled by a road. Joyo City gives the rear as about 21m east–west by 23m north–south, while the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ designation text gives the square part as 21m north–south by 19m east–west. A plank-built wooden coffin at the centre of the rear yielded copper bracelets, a bronze mirror, and beads.
Field notes
The site was developed and opened as a historic site park in fiscal 2013. Check current Joyo City History and Folklore Museum guidance for display information.