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Aotsuka Kofun

Coordinates: 35°19′34″N 136°55′45″E / 35.32611°N 136.92917°E / 35.32611; 136.92917
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Aotsuka Kofun
青塚古墳
Aotsuka Kofun
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Aotsuka Kofun
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Aotsuka Kofun (Japan)
LocationInuyama, Aichi, Japan
RegionTōkai region
Coordinates35°19′34″N 136°55′45″E / 35.32611°N 136.92917°E / 35.32611; 136.92917
TypeKofun
History
Foundedmid 4th century
PeriodsKofun period
Site notes
Public accessYes, on site museum
Map
Aerial view of Aotsuka Kofun

The Aotsuka Kofun (青塚古墳) is a Kofun period burial mound, located in the Aotsuka neighborhood of the city of Inuyama, Aichi in the Tōkai region of Japan. It was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1983.[1] It is the second largest kofun found in Aichi Prefecture after the Danpusan Kofun in Nagoya.

Overview

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The Aotsuka Kofun is located in the southern part of Inuyama, in western Aichi Prefecture. It is one of tumuli which once formed a kofun cluster in the surrounding area (most of which have now been destroyed). Archaeological excavations have been conducted in 1979 and from 1995 to 1998.[2]

The tumulus is a zenpō-kōen-fun (前方後円墳), which is shaped like a keyhole, having one square end and one circular end, when viewed from above. It has a total length of 123 meters and is orientated to face southwest. It consists of a three-tiered posterior circular portion with a diameter of 78 meters and height of 12 meters, and a two-tier trapezoidal anterior portion, with a width of 62 meters, length of 45 meters and height of seven meters. A surviving portion of a moat is on the west side of the tumulus, and on the east side a raised embankment for crossing the now vanished portion of the eastern moat has also survived. An unusual feature of this kofun is the presence of a rectangular mound on the far end of its anterior portion, which may have been a ceremonial platform. The tumulus was formerly covered in fukiishi across its entire surface, and had rows of cylindrical and drum-shaped haniwa. It is believed to have been built in the middle of the 4th century in the early Kofun period.[2]

The kofun is associated with the Ni-no-miya of Owari Province, Ōagata Shrine [simple], which is located 3.5 kilometers to the east. The shrine claims that the kofun is the grave of its kami, Oarata-no-mikoto (大荒田命). During the Sengoku period, the tumulus was fortified as a castle by the forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the 1584 Battle of Komaki and Nagakute.[2]

The site is now open to the public with the exterior of the tumulus restored to its appearance at the time of construction, with a row of replica pot-shaped haniwa as part of the Aozuka Kofun Historical Park, which also has an on-site museum. It is located about a 30-minute walk from Gakuden Station on the Meitetsu Komaki Line.[2]

Oagata Shrine

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Oagata Shrine
Hime no Miya and Umezono
Religion
DeityOarata-no-mikoto (大荒田命)[2]
A plum orchard made on a slope.
Himeishi

Ōagata Shrine (大縣神社) is a Shinto shrine located in Inuyama, Aichi.[2][3]

It is the Ninomiya, or a second ranked shrine in Owari Province,[2] ranked below Masumida Shrine.[4]

It is located close to Tagata Shrine (田縣神社) the shrine famous for hosting the "penis festival" Hōnensai. Oagata shrine has a similar yonic festival the Sunday before this festival[3]

Aotsuka Kofun is located on the grounds of the shrine, 3.5 kilometers to the west of the honden.[2]

The shrine claims that the kofun is the grave of its kami, Oarata-no-mikoto (大荒田命). During the Sengoku period, the tumulus was fortified as a castle by the forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the 1584 Battle of Komaki and Nagakute.[2]

The deity is sometimes identified as Amatsuhikone or Kuni no Satsuchi no Mikoto [ja]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "青塚古墳" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Isomura, Yukio; Sakai, Hideya (2012). (国指定史跡事典) National Historic Site Encyclopedia. 学生社. ISBN 4311750404.(in Japanese)
  3. ^ a b D, John (2012-03-24). "Fertility festival (Oh-agata/ Oagata Jinja)". Green Shinto. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  4. ^ Shibuya, Nobuhiro (2015). Shokoku jinja Ichinomiya Ninomiya San'nomiya (in Japanese). Yamakawa shuppansha. ISBN 978-4634150867.
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Media related to Aotsuka Kofun (Aichi) at Wikimedia Commons

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