Tsukamawari Kofun Cluster

Tsukamawari Kofun cluster
塚廻り古墳群 (Japanese)
Tsukamawari Kofun No.4
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Tsukamawari Kofun cluster
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Tsukamawari Kofun Cluster (Japan)
36°17′07.4″N 139°25′25.9″E / 36.285389°N 139.423861°E / 36.285389; 139.423861
TypeKofun cluster
PeriodsKofun period
LocationŌta, Gunma, Japan
RegionKantō region
History
Builtearly 6th century
Site notes
Public accessYes (no facilities)
Gunma Prefecture Historic Site

The Tsukamawari Kofun cluster (塚廻り古墳群) is a group of Kofun period burial mounds, located in the Ryumai-cho neighborhood of the city of Ōta, Gunma in the Kantō region of Japan. TheTsukamawari No.4 Kofun was designated a Gunma Prefecture Historic Site in 2020, [1] and artifacts recovered from the site were collectively designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1977.[2]

Overview

Tsukamawari Kofun No. 4 is one of 13 hotategata (帆立形古墳)-style or enpun (円墳)-style burial mounds that were accidentally discovered beneath rice paddies during a land improvement project carried out in 1977 in ​​eastern Ōta City. This type of tumulus is similar to a Zenpōkōenfun, but the anterior rectangular portion is very short and wide, resulting in the tumulus appearing like a scallop when viewed from above. The Tsukamawari Kofun No. 4 has total length of 22.5 meters. Based on the characteristics of the haniwa clay figures, it is estimated to have been constructed in the first half of the 6th century. These haniwa include figurative haniwa, including haniwa in the form of houses, shields, swords, horses, and human figures, and were discovered to be in almost intact condition and located in situ, which sheds light on ancient ritual practices.

The haniwa are now stored and displayed at the Gunma Prefectural Museum of History and the Gunma Prefectural Archaeological Research Center. Currently, the kofun, along with the front section of Kofun No. 3, has been restored and developed as a tumulus park and is open to the public.

List of Tsukamawari Kofun cluster
NameScaleShapeLocationRemarks
Kofun No. 126.1mScallopApprox 300m NNW of Kofun No.4Leveled
Kofun No. 224mScallopApprox 300m NW of Kofun No.4Leveled
Kofun No. 3—ScallopN of Kofun No.4Partially preserved
Kofun No. 422.5mScallopRestored, Prefectural Historic Site
Kofun No. 516m—Approx 90m SSW of Kofun No.4Leveled
Kofun No. 619m—Approx 290m NW of Kofun No.4; Immediately S of No.2Leveled
Kofun No. 720mCircularApprox 200m NNW of Kofun No.4Leveled
Kofun No. 8——Leveled
Kofun No. 9——Leveled
Kofun No. 10—Scallopbeneath the surface in an area adjacent to the S of Kofun No. 4Backfilled and preserved
Kofun No. 1116.1mCircularbeneath the surface in an area adjacent to the SW of Kofun No. 4Backfilled and preserved
Kofun No. 129.5mCircularbeneath the surface in an area adjacent to the W of Kofun No. 4Backfilled and preserved
Kofun No. 13—Circularbeneath the surface in an area adjacent to the NW of Kofun No. 4Backfilled and preserved

The tumulus cluster is approximately 2.1 kilometers northeast of Ryūmai Station on the Tōbu Railway Tobu Koizumi Line.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "群馬県内の県指定文化財一覧" (PDF) (in Japanese). Gunma Prefecture. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  2. ↑ "上野塚廻り古墳群出土埴輪" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved August 20, 2025.

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