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Kofun (Keyhole-Shaped Burial Mound)

Type Object Region Japan Time c. 250–500

The keyhole-shaped mound is the most representative tomb form of Japan's Kofun period (roughly 3rd-7th centuries CE), with a square front altar and r…

Timeline

  1. c. 250–350Nara Basin · Nara PrefectureIn the 3rd-4th centuries CE, Kinai clans evolved round and square mounds into keyhole-shaped mounds; the square front altar served for ritual, while the round rear mound housed a stone chamber coffin, reflecting the strengthening of royal symbolism.
  2. c. 350–450Daisenryō Kofun · Sakai CityIn the 4th-5th centuries CE, giant keyhole-shaped mounds over 200 meters and even nearly 500 meters long appeared, surrounded by smaller kofun forming clusters; grave goods of bronze mirrors, iron swords, and haniwa reflected rank differences and continental cultural influence.
  3. c. 400–500Japanese Archipelago · JapanIn the 5th century CE, house-shaped and human-shaped haniwa decorated kofun mounds, and keyhole-mound culture spread from Kinai throughout the archipelago, becoming the most recognizable material-culture marker of the Kofun period.

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