Mozu Kofun Group

{{Short description|Megalithic tombs in Japan}} {{Infobox military installation | name = Mozu Kofun Group<br />{{lang|ja|百舌鳥古墳群}} | partof = | location = [[Sakai, Osaka|Sakai]], [[Osaka Prefecture]], [[Japan]] | coordinates = {{coord|34.564|135.487|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map = Japan | image = Mozu Kofun Group Aerial photograph 2007.jpg | image_size = 280px | caption = Area around Mozu Kofun Group<br />Created based on aerial photographs from the Japan Geospatial Information Authority of the [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]]'s map and aerial photo browsing service. | type = | built = 3rd to 6th century | builder = | materials = | height = | used = | demolished = | condition = Intact | ownership = [[Imperial Household Agency]] | controlledby = | garrison = | commanders = | occupants = | battles = | events = | embedded = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site |child = yes |ID = 1593 |Year = 2019 |Criteria = Cultural: iii, iv |Area = 166.6 ha |Buffer_zone = 890 ha }}{{box|background=white|align=center|wide=yes|border size=3px|border color=brown|text align=center|[[Monuments of Japan|National Historic Site of Japan]]}} }} [[Image:CG Misanzai Kofun 10 7pbw.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun (Tomb of [[Emperor Richū]]) which was drawn in [[3DCG]]. This is a kofun of the second size in the group.]] [[Image:CG Haze Nisanzai Kofun 1 7pbw.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Haze Nisanzai Kofun which was drawn in 3DCG. This is a kofun of the third size in the group.]] The {{Nihongo|'''Mozu Kofun Group'''|百舌鳥古墳群|Mozu Kofun-gun}} is a group of ''[[kofun]]''—megalithic tombs—in [[Sakai, Osaka|Sakai]], [[Osaka Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. Originally consisting of more than 100 tombs, fewer than 50% of the key-hole, round, and rectangular tombs remain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/foreigner_en/spot/spot1.html |title=Enjoying Sakai – Kofun Tombs (Tumuli) |publisher=[[Sakai, Osaka|Sakai City]] |access-date=8 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722214046/http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/foreigner_en/spot/spot1.html |archive-date=22 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kofun/database/index.html |title=Kofun Database |publisher=[[Sakai, Osaka|Sakai City]] |access-date=8 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722214106/http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kofun/database/index.html |archive-date=22 July 2011 }}</ref>

The {{Nihongo|'''Daisenryo Kofun'''|大仙陵古墳|Daisenryō kofun}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/japanologyplus/program-20180619.html |title=Graves {{!}} Japanology Plus – TV – NHK World – English |website=www3.nhk.or.jp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626234231/http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/japanologyplus/program-20180619.html |archive-date=2018-06-26}}</ref> the largest ''kofun'' in [[Japan]], is believed to have been constructed over a period of 20 years in the mid 5th century during the [[Kofun Period]]. While it cannot be accurately confirmed, it is commonly accepted that the tomb was built for the late [[Emperor Nintoku]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kiis.or.jp/kansaida/sakai/sakai01.html|title=堺市・仁徳陵古墳|work=kiis.or.jp|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> The [[Imperial Household Agency]] of Japan treats it as such.

==Location== The Mozu Kofun Group is located in the city of [[Sakai, Osaka|Sakai]] which is within [[Osaka Prefecture]]. The tumuli are built on a plateau overlooking [[Osaka Bay]] near the ancient coastline and are distributed in a range of about four kilometers from east-to-west and north-to-south. The [[Furuichi Kofun Cluster]] is located in nearby [[Habikino, Osaka|Habikino]] and [[Fujiidera, Osaka|Fujiidera]] cities.<ref name=Osaka>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mozu-furuichi.jp/en/learn/mozu_furuichi_aspect.html|title= Characteristics of Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun|access-date=22 November 2015|publisher=World Cultural Heritage for Osaka}}</ref>

==History== In the [[Japanese archipelago]], more than 20,000 tumuli (''kofun''), which are mounds of earth and stones erected over graves of the ruling class, were built between the later part of the 3rd century and the 6th century.<ref name=Cluster>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5570/|title=Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun, Ancient Tumulus Clusters |access-date=22 November 2015|publisher=[[UNESCO]] }}</ref> It was the peak period of building such mounds.<ref name=Osaka/> They represent a cultural tradition which is an expression of "forms, and design of the kofun" of the sociopolitical [[hierarchical]] order and the link that was prevalent during that period between regions. This period is termed as the [[Kofun Period]].<ref name=Cluster/> The most prominent imperial mausolea in this cluster of tumuli are those of [[Emperor Nintoku]] and [[Emperor Richū]].{{Sfn|Fawcett|1990|p=111}}

There are 44 burial mounds in the Mozu Group, including those that are partially destroyed.<ref name="KDB"/> Of these, 19 have been designated as national historic sites,<ref name="Bunka1">{{cite web |url=https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/401/1797 |title=百舌鳥古墳群|trans-title=Mozu kofungun|language=Japanese |publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] |accessdate=August 20, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Shiseki">{{cite book |last1=Isomura |first1=Yukio |last2=Sakai |first2=Hideya |title=(国指定史跡事典) National Historic Site Encyclopedia |date=2012 |publisher=学生社 |isbn=978-4311750403}}{{in lang|ja}}</ref> and separately, the [[Imperial Household Agency]] has ruled three to be Imperial mausoleums, two to be "Tomb Reference Sites", and 18 to be "baichō", or ancillary mausoleums connected with an Imperial mausoleum.<ref>Of the burial mounds, the Itasuke burial mound was designated as a national historic site in 1956, and 19 units have been designated by 2019, including those that were additionally designated after that (Notice of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on October 15, 2018). No. 193, February 26, 2019, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Notification No. 25).</ref> There used to be more than 100 burial mounds, but due to the rapid development of residential land after World War II, more than half of the burial mounds were destroyed.<ref name="KDB">[http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/rekishi/dkofun/database/index.html 古墳データベース] – [http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/index.html 堺市ウェブサイト]{{smaller|（2017年6月11日閲覧）}}</ref>

In 2010, the Japanese government proposed that the Daisen Kofun and the entire cluster of Mozu Kofun Group and Furuichi Kofun Group be designated as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5570/|title=Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun, Ancient Tumulus Clusters – UNESCO World Heritage Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|last=Centre|work=unesco.org|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> 9 years later on 6 July 2019, the site was approved and inscribed as a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] under Criteria: (iii) and (iv) as the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/news/seven-cultural-sites-inscribed-unescos-world-heritage-list|title=Seven cultural sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List|website=UNESCO|date=6 July 2019}}</ref>

==Features== The ''kofun'' are found in many shapes and dimensions in varying patterns. Some are of simple [[Round Kofun|circular]] or [[Square Kofun|square shape]] (''empun'' and ''hōfun''). The larger ones are keyhole-shaped (''[[Zenpokoenfun|zempō kōenfun]]''); they represent the highest class of ''kofun'' and were built in great detail.<ref name=Cluster/> The three prominent aspects of these ''kofun'' are their massive size and being surrounded by several moats and many secondary ''kofun''.<ref name=Osaka/>

In the [[Osaka Plain]] and [[Nara Basin]], which were the cultural centre of the Kofun Period, the rounded keyhole-shaped tombs were built extending to very large lengths, out of which the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group is the most prominent. These are in two ''kofun'' groups which are dated to the later part of 4th and early part of 6th centuries. These ''kofun'' are of the largest dimensions in the country. The Nintoku-tennō-ryō Kofun, is one grave mound which is a {{Convert|486|m}} long tumulus enclosed by a moat and a [[Rampart (fortification)|fortification]] which is {{Convert|840|m}} in length; this is said to be the largest such mound in the world. This cluster also has the Richū-tennō-ryō Kofun, made of a tumulus of {{Convert|360|m}} length and said to be the third largest in the country.<ref name=Cluster/>

Another group of mounds, located about {{Convert|10|km}} away from the Mozu Kofun Group is known as the Furuichi Kofun Group. It has the Ōjin-tennō-ryō Kofun of {{Convert|425|m}} length which is said to be the second largest in the country. This group also has 11 more huge massive rounded "keyhole-shaped kofun" with mound length of {{Convert|200|m}} or more.<ref name=Cluster/>

A feature of these funerary mounds is that they contain – along with the buried people – [[grave goods]] made of iron, weapons worn by individuals including arrowheads, swords, hoe and spade tips, and many other similar items. Also found in the mounds are antiquities made of gilded bronze such as horse tacks and sash buckles.<ref name=Osaka/>

The Daisen Kofun mound is approximately {{convert|500|m}} long and {{convert|300|m}} across at its widest point, while the entire tomb area is {{convert|840|m}} long.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/rekishi/dkofun/database/nintokutenno.html|title=仁徳天皇陵古墳（大山古墳） 堺市|first=Sakai|last=city|work=sakai.lg.jp|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> Enclosed by three moats, the mound rises approximately 35m above the surrounding terrain. The highest point is {{convert|47|m}}, making it visible to the seafarers in nearby Osaka Bay.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mozu Daisenryo Kofun – Japan Airlines |url=https://jal.japantravel.com/osaka/mozu-daisenryo-kofun/9100 |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=jal.japantravel.com}}</ref> The inner moat is the widest of the moats at approximately {{convert|60|m}}. The mound is approximately {{convert|100000|sqm}} in area, and the entire tomb is {{convert|460000|sqm}}.

Today, the tomb is off-limits and protected by the Imperial Household Agency in the centre of Sakai City. The moats have been maintained and provide a sanctuary for fish and waterbirds. The mound itself is completely overgrown by vegetation. A viewing platform from the second (middle) moat is accessible at the south side of the site. The viewing platform is 500m away from [[Mozu Station]] on the [[Hanwa Line]] and is directly across the street from the [[Sakai City Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/hakubutsukan/index.html|title=堺市博物館 堺市|first=Sakai|last=city|work=sakai.lg.jp|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> This museum provides visitors with information about the ''kofun'' and its history.

=== Gallery === <gallery> File:NintokuTomb Aerial photograph 2007.jpg|alt=|Daisenryo Kofun, 2.8&nbsp;km in circumference and the largest kofun in [[Japan]], is thought to be the Tomb of [[Emperor Nintoku]]. File:Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun Aerial photograph 2007.jpg|alt=|Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun File:Haze Nisanzai Kofun zenkei.JPG|Haze Nisanzai Kofun File:Mozu Gobyo-yama Kofun zenkei.JPG|Mozu Gobyo-yama Kofun File:Tadeiyama Kofun Aerial photograph 2007.jpg|alt=|Tadeiyama Kofun File:Itasuke Kofun zenkei.JPG|Itasuke Kofun </gallery>

{| class="wikitable" style="background:#ffffff;white-space:nowrap;font-size:85%" |+List of major ''kofun''<ref>[http://www.mozu-furuichi.jp/jp/learn/mozu_furuichi_furuichi_list.html Mozu / Furuichi Kofungun List (Mozu)]（Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun World Cultural Heritage Registration Promotion Headquarters Meeting）</ref> !Name !Name !Location !Type !Length !National Historic Site !Imperial Household Agency !World Heritage Site & Comments |- |Daisenryō Kofun||大仙陵古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||keyhole||525 m|| ||[[Emperor Nintoku]]||WHS |- |Kamiishizumisanzai Kofun||上石津ミサンザイ古墳||Nishi-ku, Sakai||keyhole||365 m|| ||[[Emperor Richū]]||WHS |- |Hazenisanzai Kofun||土師ニサンザイ古墳||Nishi-ku, Sakai||keyhole||290 m||NHS||East Mozu Reference Site||WHS |- |Kobyōyama Kofun||御廟山古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||keyhole||203 m||NHS ||Mozu Reference Site||WHS |- |Chin'ooka Kofun||乳岡古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||keyhole||155 m||NHS|| || |- |Tadeiyama Kofun||田出井山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||keyhole||148 m|| ||[[Emperor Hanzei]]||WHS |- |Itasuke Kofun||いたすけ古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||keyhole||146 m||NHS|| ||WHS |- |Nagatsuka Kofun||長塚古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||keyhole||106 m||NHS|| ||WHS |- |Nagayama Kofun||永山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||keyhole||100 m||Sakai city HS||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''||WHS |- |Maruhoyama Kofun||丸保山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||Scallop||87 m||NHS||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''||WHS |- |Gobyō-Omotezuka Kofun||御廟表塚古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||keyhole||85 m||NHS|| || |- |Zenizuka Kofun||銭塚古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||Scallop||72 m||NHS|| ||WHS |- |Jōnoyama Kofun||定の山古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||Scallop||69 m|| || || |- |Daianjiyama Kofun||大安寺山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||62 m|| ||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''||WHS |- |Tatsusayama Kofun||竜佐山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||Scallop||61 m||Sakai city HS）||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''||WHS |- |Guwashobō Kofun||グワショウ坊古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||61 m||NHS|| || |- |Monjuzuka Kofun||文珠塚古墳||Nishi-ku, Sakai||keyhole||59 m||NHS|| || |- |Osamezuka Kofun||収塚古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||Scallop||58 m||NHS|| ||WHS |- |Hatazuka Kofun||旗塚古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||Scallop||58 m||NHS|| ||WHS |- |Chayama Kofun||茶山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||56 m|| ||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''||WHS |- |Magodaiyūyama Kofun ||孫太夫山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||Scallop||56 m|| ||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''||WHS |- |Kabutozuka Kofun||かぶと塚古墳||Nishi-ku, Sakai||Scallop||50 m|| || || |- |Hinotani Kofun||樋の谷古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||47 m|| ||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''|| |- |Terayama Minamiyama Kofun||寺山南山古墳||Nishi0ku, Sakai||square||45 m||NHS|| ||WHS |- |Genemonyama Kofun||源右衛門山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||34 m|| ||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''||WHS |- |Chinjuyama Kofun||鎮守山塚古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||circular||34 m|| || || |- |Komoyamazuka Kofun||菰山塚古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||Scallop||33 m|| ||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''||WHS |- |Shichikannon Kofun||七観音古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||33 m||NHS|| ||WHS |- |Tsukamawari Kofun||塚廻古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||32 m||NHS|| ||WHS |- |Kitsuneyama Kofun||狐山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||30 m|| ||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''|| |- |Zan'emonyama Kofun||善右ヱ門山古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||square||28 m||NHS|| ||WHS |- |Kagamizuka Kofun||鏡塚古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||circular||26 m||NHS|| || |- |Dōgameyama Kofun||銅亀山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||square||26 m|| ||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''||WHS |- |Donchayama Kofun||ドンチャ山古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||circular||26 m||NHS|| || |- |Mozuyama Kofun||万代山古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||keyhole||25 m+|| || || |- |Nishisakenomi Kofun||西酒呑古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||25 m|| ||Emperor Richū ''baichō''|| |- |Hinokizuka Kofun||桧塚古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||keyhole||25 m|| ||Emperor Richū ''baichō''|| |- |Suzuyama Kofun||鈴山古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||square||22 m|| ||Emperor Hanzei ''baichō''|| |- |Higashisakenomi Kofun||東酒呑古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||21 m|| ||Emperor Richū ''baichō''|| |- |Kyōdō Kofun||経堂古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular||20 m|| ||Emperor Richū ''baichō''|| |- |Shorakujiyama Kofun||正楽寺山古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||circular ||16 m||NHS|| || |- |Tennō Kofun||天王古墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||square||11 m|| ||Emperor Hanzei ''baichō''|| |- |Hōzuyama Kofun||坊主山古墳||Kita-ku, Sakai||circular||10 m|| ||Emperor Nintoku ''baichō''|| |- |Higashi Ueno Shibamachi No. 1 Kofun||東上野芝町1号墳||Sakai-ku, Sakai||circular|| || || || |}

==See also== * [[Cultural Properties of Japan#Buried Cultural Properties|Buried Cultural Properties]] * [[List of Historic Sites of Japan (Osaka)]] * [[List of National Treasures of Japan (archaeological materials)]] * [[World Heritage Sites in Japan]] * [[Japanese imperial tombs]]

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography== * {{cite book|last= Fawcett |first=Clare P. |title=A study of the socio-political context of Japanese archaeology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uaoWAQAAIAAJ|year=1990|publisher=McGill University, Montréal}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Mozu Kofun Group}} * {{in lang|en}} [https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5570/ Entry on UNESCO World Heritage tentative list] * {{in lang|ja}} [http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/rekishi/dkofun/database/index.html Mozu Kofun database] * {{in lang|ja}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20130816022032/http://kyuhaku.jmc.or.jp/ Decorated Kofun Database]

{{Kofun infobox}} {{World Heritage Sites in Japan}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Osaka Prefecture]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Osaka Prefecture]] [[Category:History of Osaka Prefecture]] [[Category:World Heritage Sites in Japan]] [[Category:Historic Sites of Japan]] [[Category:Sakai]] [[Category:Japanese imperial tombs]] [[Category:Kofun clusters]]