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Iida Kofun group

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Iida Kofun cluster
飯田古墳群
Iinuma Unzaiji Kofun
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Iida Kofun cluster
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Iida Kofun group (Japan)
LocationIida, Nagano, Japan
RegionChūbu region
Coordinates35°30′08″N 137°50′43″E / 35.50222°N 137.84528°E / 35.50222; 137.84528
Typekofun
History
Foundedlate 5th to late 6th century AD
PeriodsKofun period
Site notes
Public accessYes (no facilities)

The Iida Kofun cluster (飯田古墳群, IIda Kofun-gun) is group kofun burial mounds located in the Shimoida neighborhood of the city of Iida, Nagano in the Chūbu region of Japan. Thirteen tumuli have been collectively protected as a National Historic Site since 2016.[1]

Outline

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In the Shimoina area of southern Nagano prefecture is a group of ancient burial mounds distributed on river terraces of the right bank of the Tenryū River. There were once more than 520 kofun in Iida, of which a total of 22 are collectively called the "Iida Kofun cluster". These tumuli consist of 18 keyhole-shaped (zenpō-kōen-fun (前方後円墳)) and four scallop-shaped hotatekaigata-kofun (帆立貝形古墳) tumuli. The presence of so many of this style of tumuli point to a very strong political and cultural connection to the ancient Yamato kingdom. The Iida tumulus group is presumed to have been built in the middle-late Kofun period in the latter half of the 5th century and the end of the 6th century. During this period, it is postulated that the Iida area was a major horse breeding base for the Yamato kingdom, and the introduction of horses led to the development of inland transportation networks and inter-regional trade, which is reflected in various aspects of each tumulus. Of the group, 11 keyhole-shaped and two scallop-shaped tumulus received National Historic Site designation in 2016.

The largest of these tumuli is the Unsaiji Kofun (雲彩寺古墳, Unsaiji kofun), also known as the Iinuma Tenjindsuka Kofun, which is a keyhole-shaped tumulus with a total length of 74.5 meters. The burial chamber is a lateral type stone corridor with an entrance to the west, with the total length of 13 meters. The entrance is blocked, but the back wall on the east side has been removed. The length of the chamber itself is 5.7 meters by 2.3 meters, with a height of 1.7 meters. It was opened in the Edo period, at which time bronze mirrors, beads, rings, horse harnesses, and pottery was excavated, but most of these artifacts have been lost. The neighboring Unsai-ji temple, whose main hall partially encroaches on the tumulus, has preserved a golden ring and two bells from a horse harness. The tumulus was built in the middle of the 6th century. It was designated a Nagano Prefectural Historic Site in 1965.

Caption text
Unit Kofun name location Coordinates Type Length Burial Chamber Date Remarks
Zakoji Takaoka No.1 Kofun Zakoji 35°32′6.33″N 137°51′47.03″E / 35.5350917°N 137.8630639°E / 35.5350917; 137.8630639 keyhole 72.3m horizontal early 6th c
Kamigo Unsaiji Kofun Kamisatoiinuma 35°30′45.40″N 137°50′47.96″E / 35.5126111°N 137.8466556°E / 35.5126111; 137.8466556 keyhole 74.5m horizontal early 6c
Matsuo Misajiro Shishidsuka Kofun Matsuomisajiro 35°29′59.80″N 137°50′48.76″E / 35.4999444°N 137.8468778°E / 35.4999444; 137.8468778 keyhole 60.0m late 5c
Matsuo Misayama Shishidsuka Kofun Matsuohisai 35°30′6.37″N 137°50′24.56″E / 35.5017694°N 137.8401556°E / 35.5017694; 137.8401556 keyhole 58.0m horizontal late 5c/early 6c
Matsuo Himedsuka Kofun Matsuoagemizo 35°30′11.94″N 137°50′48.36″E / 35.5033167°N 137.8467667°E / 35.5033167; 137.8467667 keyhole 40.0m horizontal early 6c
Matsuo Agemizo Tenjindsuka Kofun Matsuoagemizo 35°30′7.80″N 137°50′42.47″E / 35.5021667°N 137.8451306°E / 35.5021667; 137.8451306 keyhole 41.5m horizontal mid 6c
Matsuo Okandsuka Kofun Matsuoagemizo 35°30′8.62″N 137°50′37.92″E / 35.5023944°N 137.8438667°E / 35.5023944; 137.8438667 keyhole 50m horizontal late 6c
Tatsuoka Otsuka Kofun Kiribayashi 35°28′9.79″N 137°49′19.50″E / 35.4693861°N 137.8220833°E / 35.4693861; 137.8220833 keyhole 50m vertical late 5c
Tatsuoka Tsukahara Futagodsuka Kofun Kiribayashi 35°27′53.65″N 137°49′14.26″E / 35.4649028°N 137.8206278°E / 35.4649028; 137.8206278 keyhole 73m vertical late 5c
Tatsuoka Kagamidsuka Kofun Kiribayashi 35°27′53.49″N 137°49′8.63″E / 35.4648583°N 137.8190639°E / 35.4648583; 137.8190639 scallop 45m vertical late 5c
Tatsuoka Yoroidsuka Kofun Kiribayashi 35°27′51.03″N 137°49′9.41″E / 35.4641750°N 137.8192806°E / 35.4641750; 137.8192806 scallop 45m vertical late 5c
Tatsuoka Osarudo Kofun Kiribayashi 35°27′41.76″N 137°48′44.56″E / 35.4616000°N 137.8123778°E / 35.4616000; 137.8123778 keyhole 65.4m horizontal mid 6c bronze mirror (ICP) found
Tatsuoka Masedsuka Kofun Kamikawaji 35°27′48.68″N 137°48′51.50″E / 35.4635222°N 137.8143056°E / 35.4635222; 137.8143056 keyhole 46.4m horizontal late 6c last constructed

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "飯田古墳群". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
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