86m keyhole mound in Kinomoto, Wakayama City. Wakayama Prefectural Historic Site. Excavations (1989–1991) yielded a hollow gold magatama, regarded as the only one found in Japan to date, which drew attention. Saved from residential development, it has been landscaped and opened as a public park.
Finds & research
Finds include a hollow gold magatama thought to have been made on the Korean Peninsula, haniwa, iron objects, and Sue ware.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
Designated a Wakayama Prefectural Historic Site on 20 April 1994.
Archaeological view
~86m keyhole mound (112m including moat). Rear circle ~51m dia., front section 62m wide. Dated to the 3rd quarter of the 5th century; Wakayama Prefecture gives the mid-5th century, and Wakayama City, based on cylindrical haniwa, around the latter half of the 5th century. Excavations (1989–1991) revealed a hollow gold magatama bead (18mm long, 1.6g) — to date the only gold magatama found in Japan, which drew attention. A residential development plan emerged in 1988, but the discovery of the gold bead led to recognition of the site's importance; the city acquired it and preserved it as a park.
Field notes
Wakayama City states that it can be visited on site.