A National Historic Site noted for nearly forty bronze mirrors, including more than thirty triangular-rimmed deity-and-beast mirrors. Its relationship to Yamatai remains scholarly debate, and the occupant is unknown.
Finds & research
The pit chamber yielded nearly forty bronze mirrors, including more than thirty triangular-rimmed deity-and-beast mirrors, together with numerous other grave goods, including weapons, armor fittings and tools.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
It was designated a National Historic Site in 2000, and its National Important Cultural Property assemblage is held by Kyoto University and other institutions.
Archaeological view
An approximately 175m keyhole mound at Tsubai, Yamashiro-cho, Kizugawa. Kizugawa City places it in the earliest phase of the Early Kofun period (late 3rd century), while the city’s cultural property preservation plan also dates it to the end of the 3rd or beginning of the 4th century. Its pit chamber was discovered during railway cutting work in 1953.
Field notes
The mound includes public and private land and adjoins housing and a railway. Follow Kizugawa City guidance for accessible areas and how to visit.