An approximately 190m-long keyhole mound in the central Mishima Plain. Double moats surround the west-facing mound, and the entire precinct measures about 350m by 360m. One of the largest in the Yodo River basin, it dates to the first half of the 6th century. Designated a National Historic Site in 1958, it is now open as an archaeological park. Takatsuki City regards it as the actual mausoleum of Great King Keitai.
Finds & research
A haniwa ritual zone yielded Japan's largest house-shaped haniwa and finely modelled warrior figures. Surveys beginning in fiscal 1997 also showed that a landslide during the 1596 Fushimi earthquake carried much of the mound fill into the inner moat. A burial facility stood at the center of the rear circle, but later deformation is extensive.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
Designated as a National Historic Site in 1958, administered by Takatsuki City; the Imashirozuka Kofun Park and the Imashirozuka Ancient History Museum opened in 2011. The IHA designates Oda Chausuyama↗ as Emperor Keitai's mausoleum, leaving Imashirozuka outside its jurisdiction.
Archaeological view
Takatsuki City considers this the actual mausoleum of Great King Keitai, who died in 531. Ten years of surveys beginning in fiscal 1997 (Akira Sangawa, 2013, dates the Takatsuki City Board of Education excavations from 1996 onward) clarified its scale, later reuse as a fortification, and earthquake deformation; a major haniwa ritual zone was found on the northern inner embankment in fiscal 2001 and 2002.
Field notes
The park is open free of charge. More than 200 reconstructed haniwa, including houses, people and animals, stand at the ceremonial area. Excavated objects can be viewed at the adjacent Imashirozuka Ancient History Museum. Takatsuki City gives an approximately 25-minute walk from JR Settsu-Tonda Station; buses are also available.