A mound that yielded Japan’s oldest known mirror bearing a calendar date. Its inscription uses a Wei reign era and predates Himiko’s mission by four years, prompting Yamatai debate, but it cannot be established as one of the mirrors later presented to Himiko.
Finds & research
One square-rule four-deity mirror dated Qinglong 3 (AD 235). It lay mirror-side up to the right of the occupant’s head and retained fragments of silk textile.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
The square-rule four-deity mirror dated Qinglong 3 found here was designated a National Important Cultural Property on 27 June 1996.
Archaeological view
A rectangular mound measuring 18.8 by 12.3m across Yasaka-cho Wadano and Mineyama-cho Yata, Kyotango. Built in the late 3rd century, it yielded a square-rule four-deity mirror dated Qinglong 3 (AD 235) from a stone coffin during excavation (dated 1994 by Kyotango City and 1993 in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ designation text).
Field notes
The mirror is owned by Kyotango City and deposited with the Kyoto Prefectural Tango Local Museum. Confirm current display status before visiting.