A National Historic Site and square-fronted, square-backed mound preserved in urban Higashinada, Kobe. It is linked to the Unai Maiden legend.
Finds & research
The central burial in the rear mound has not been excavated, and its main burial facility and grave goods are unknown. The fiscal 1982 investigation found a gravel band (estimated 13m long) on the rear mound’s axis that is thought to be a burial facility. A box-shaped stone coffin of a later date than the mound was found in the front section near the waist.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
A National Historic Site.
Archaeological view
An approximately 70m square-fronted, square-backed mound from the Early Kofun period (4th century); Kobe City describes it as two-tiered. The Agency for Cultural Affairs retains the original 1922 designation text calling it a round-backed keyhole tomb, but later excavation established its square-backed form. The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History explains that the positions of the three mounds gave rise to a tragic love story casting this central mound as a maiden (also called the Unai Maiden) and the eastern and western mounds as two men who courted her at the same time, a tale already sung in the Nara-period Man'yoshu.
Field notes
Maintained as a park; follow posted visitor guidance.