Tajima's largest keyhole mound, on the left bank of the Maruyama River in Asago City. Known in the history of research as a major source of waterbird haniwa, thought to express beliefs about the watery otherworld. As railway and highway cut the mound, the visit centers on the finds at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology.
Finds & research
Twenty-four identified waterbird haniwa (the largest number confirmed in Japan), other figural haniwa including houses and shields, cylindrical haniwa, and an umbrella-shaped wooden object. Finds including 14 waterbird haniwa are national Important Cultural Properties. Details of the burial facility are unknown.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
Hyogo Prefectural Historic Site (2013); the excavated artifacts were designated Important Cultural Properties in fiscal 2019.
Archaeological view
The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology reconstructs this three-tiered keyhole mound at 134.5m, the largest in Tajima. The prefectural designation entry on Cultural Heritage Online gives about 141m, reflecting differing measurements or reconstructions. Built at the beginning of the 5th century, it has a truncated rear section. Asago City suggests that chest-shaped sarcophagus fragments found nearby may have come from this mound, without confirming the link. Railway and Route 9 works altered the mound.
Field notes
About a 15-minute walk from the parking area by Wadayama Station, according to the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology. Route 9 crosses the center of the mound, and the site has no historic-park facilities. Check with the museum for current display of finds.