Saitobaru Kofun Cluster () is a group of three hundred thirty three
kofuns or tumuli in
Saito city, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. This is one of the largest kofun groups in Japan, and the largest group in
Kyushu situated on a 70-meter hill composed of
diluvium
Diluvium is an archaic term applied during the 1800s to widespread surficial deposits of sediments that could not be explained by the historic action of rivers and seas. Diluvium was initially argued to have been deposited by the action of extra ...
. It is located within the
Saitobaru-Sugiyasukyō Prefectural Natural Park.
General description
The Saitobaru kofungun or Burial Mounds were designated by the national government as a special historical site in 1952. The majority of the tumuli in Saitobaru have yet to be excavated and many remain wrapped in a veil of mystery. There are 311 elevated mounds, (31 keyhole-shaped mound (zenpo-koenfun (前方後円墳), unique to ancient Japan, 1 Houfun(方墳）, 279 circular type (empun (円墳)),
kofuns) and 10 Yokoana (横穴)
kofuns and 12 underground
kofuns, the last being peculiar to southern
Kyushu. The first scientific excavation was made in 1912. In 1952, Saito City Museum was founded, which was later changed to Miyazaki Prefectural Saitobaru Archaeological Museum.
Important Kofuns
Osahozuka and Mesahozuka
*Osahozuka kofun is the Japan's largest hotatekai-shaped
kofun, 175 meters long.
Japan Cultural Profile, Saitobaru Burial Mounds
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*Mesahozuka kofun is a 180-meter-long zenpo-koenfun. Both belong to Emperor-related kofuns.
Himezuka Kofun
*A 50-meter-long keyhole-shaped kofun, one of the most beautiful kofuns encircled by a moat and had precious treasures such as swords, vases, glass-balls inside. It was assumed to be built in the early 6th century.
Oninoiwaya Kofun
It was the only sideway kofun which was completely encircled by an earthwork (archaeology). This is unique and reminds one of kofuns in China.
See also
* Kofun
*
*List of National Treasures of Japan (archaeological materials)
The term " National Treasure" has been used in Japan to denote cultural properties since 1897.
The definition and the criteria have changed since the introduction of the term. These archaeological materials adhere to the current definition, and ...
* Cultural Properties of Japan#Buried Cultural Properties
* History of Miyazaki Prefecture
References
External links
Saitobaru Kofungun
National Treasure Database
* Japanese kofuns
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saitobarekofungun
Kofun
Buildings and structures in Miyazaki Prefecture
History of Miyazaki Prefecture
Special Historic Sites