| 和田岡古墳群 | |
 Yoshioka-Otsuka Kofun before renovation | |
  Wadaoka KofunShow map of Shizuoka Prefecture Wadaoka Kofun group (Japan)Show map of Japan | |
| Location | Kakegawa, Shizuoka, Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Tōkai region |
| Coordinates | 34°46′40″N 137°57′06″E / 34.77778°N 137.95167°E / 34.77778; 137.95167 |
| Type | kofun |
| History | |
| Founded | 5th to 6th century AD |
| Periods | Kofun period |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | Yes |
| National Historic Site of Japan | |
The Wadaoka Kofun group (和田岡古墳群, Wadaoka kofun-gun) is an archaeological site with a cluster of burial mounds from the Kofun period located in what is now part of the city of Kakegawa, Shizuoka in the Tōkai region of Japan. The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1996.
Overview
The Wadaoka Kofun group is located in an area measuring approximately 2.5 kilometers north-south by one kilometer east-west, on a low plateau overlooking the Haranoya River west of the downtown area of modern Kakegawa city. The site consists of four keyhole-shaped kofun (zenpō-kōen-fun (前方後円墳)), 15 circular-shaped kofun [ja] (empun (円墳)), and four square-shaped kofun [ja] (hōfun (方墳)), all dating from the 5th century to the sixth century AD. The largest include:
| Name | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Wakanezuka Kofun 各和金塚古墳 |
keyhole | 66.4 meters Anterior: 20.5 m wide x 4 m high: Posterior 51.2 m diameter x 6.5 m high |
| Hisagozuka Kofun 瓢塚古墳 |
keyhole | 63 meters long Anterior: 25.2 m wide x 3.5 m high: Posterior 37.8 m diameter x 3.5 m high |
| Yoshioka-Otsuka Kofun 吉岡大塚古墳 |
keyhole | 55 meters long Anterior: 27.5 m wide x 2.5 m high: Posterior 41.3 m diameter x 7.2 m high |
| Gyojinzuka Kofun 行人塚古墳 |
keyhole | 43.7 meters long Anterior: 16 m wide: Posterior 25.4 m diameter |
| Harubayashiin Kofun 春林院古墳 |
circular | 35 meters, height 5 meters |
| Usa-Hachiman-sha Kofun | circular | 30 meter diameter |
| Gongenyama Kofun | circular | 40 meter diameter |
| Ishinogata Kofun | circular | 25 meter diameter |
These tumuli are believed to be the tombs of local kings who ruled the Haranodani River basin. The Wakanezuka Kofun is considered the oldest, but its pit-type burial chamber was robbed in 1974 before a proper archaeological excavation could be made. Many of the tumuli were once covered in fukiishi and had haniwa clay figurines, and the Yoshioka-Otsuka Kofun has traces of a moat remaining. Grave goods recovered from the tombs included, large numbers of iron weapons, fragments of armor, pottery shards and shinju-kyo bronze mirrors.
The necropolis is located approximately 15 minutes on foot from the Tenryu Hamanako Line's Hosoya Station. There are plans to make an archaeological park in the area.
See also
References
- "和田岡古墳群" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
- ^ Isomura, Yukio; Sakai, Hideya (2012). (国指定史跡事典) National Historic Site Encyclopedia. 学生社. ISBN 4311750404.(in Japanese)
External links
- Kakegawa home page (in Japanese)