Kurume History Walks
No.26 Visit the Kofuns of the Mino Mountains 1
み のうさんろく

耳 納 山麓の古墳を訪ねて（１）Kofun is a collective term to refer to an ancient mounded tomb of people in power, constructed between
about the mid-3rd to the early 7th century (the Kofun period). At the foot of the Mino Mountains, four hundred
kofuns were verified. That can be said to be precious cultural properties that show local features.
This issue introduces the distinctive kofuns in Tanushimaru Town. The first four were together designated aNational Historic Site as a group of Tanushimaru Kofuns which we estimate to have been built in the late 6thcentury.

 Tanushimaru-Otsuka-kofun

atIshigaki, Tanushimaru Town
It is a large keyhole-shaped kofun (zenpokoenfun), one hundred three meters long, andsixty meters across (circular part). Since long ago,
it has been respectfully treated by localcommunities.
It had been believed that it had been a circularkofun because of the topographical change(agricultural land development, etc.), after its
establishment. But we revealed that it had been
keyhole-shaped as a result of the investigation
which we have carried out since 1993. The drymoat of 10 meters wide surrounded the easternside of the mound. The vestibule was discoveredat the western side, and its sidewall was four
meters high. Stones covered the outer moat of its
circular part and were buried in the rammed earth
for height adjustment and reinforcement.

The present-day Tanushimaru Otsuka Kofun (above)
The Otsuka Kofun History Park (below)

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Kurume History Walks / No.26 Visit the Kofuns of the Mino Mountains 1

Judging from the burial goods, we presumed it to have been constructed in the late 6th century.
We suppose that “the rebellion of Tsukushinokimi Iwai” in 528 CE was still a memorable event for the local
people of that time. (Iwai was a chief of a powerful family in northern Kyushu. He fought against the Yamato
Court, and he was killed in the war.) On the other hand, the construction of the keyhole-shaped kofun waned
almost throughout the country.
Then, we wonder why such a large kofun was built at that time. It can be a very important key for examining
the political situation between the royal court and other regions.
At present, this Otsuka Kofun was restored and regained the original form. And the Otsuka Kofun History
Park was opened at the adjoining land.

 Jitoku-kofun at Masuoda, Tanushimaru Town
It is a circular kofun of eighteen meters across, located near a road running along the Mino Mountains. Themound changed its form a lot because of the land reclamation. And also, it is one of the decorated kofuns, which
are ornamented with painted or carved decoration. About one hundred and sixty thousand kofuns were foundthrough the country, while only six hundred decorated kofuns are known.
We confirmed stones covered the surface of the mound as a result of the excavation. The entrance of thestone chamber faces the west. The chamber is horizontal and has some compartments (a passage, a front chamber,and a burial chamber). On the walls of the chamber, the following characteristic patterns were drawn with red(two types) and green pigments: concentric circle (doshin’en mon), triangle (sankaku mon), shield (tate), boat(fune), etc. Some comma-shaped beads (magatama), cylindrical beads, horse gears, and unglazed vessels wereexcavated.

Drawings on the inner wall

Measured drawing of the chambers

Inner wall

Wall on the left side of the front chamber

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Nakabaru-Kitsunezuka-kofun at Jitoku, Tanushimaru Town
The surrounding area was reclaimed into farms, and most of the mound was lost. We estimated this kofun

originally had had a circular form 19 meters across with covering stones. The stone chamber was divided intosome compartments. The total length is 11.5 meters.
The ornamental paintings with red, green, and blue pigments depict the designs such as concentric circles,triangles, boat, quivers (yugi), human figures, etc. We consider its elaborate paintings to be superior to the others.
Some arrowheads, horse gears, and ornaments of the sword were excavated.

Measured drawing of the chambers

Concentric circles

QuiverHuman figures

Humanfigures
Concentriccircles

Concentric circle

Triangle

Paintings on the entrance of the burial chamber

Entrance of the burial chamber

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

Nishinotate-kofun at Masuoda, Tanushimaru Town
It is an oval kofun 10.4 meters wide in the shortest length, with two tiers of which the upper was coveredby the stones. The ceiling stone of the front chamber was lost for the grave thieves. The true entrance was closed
by soil and gravel.
The ornamental paintings with red and blue pigments depict the designs such as concentric circles, triangles,
a boat, and a human figure. We regard the triangle patterns under the boat as the wave.

Drawings on the inner wall

Inner wallJitoku Kofun

Tanushimaru Otsuka Kofun
Nishinotate Kofun

Nakabaru Kitsunezuka
Kofun

Moribe Hirabaru
Kofun GroupPo sit io n d iagr am

Moribe Hirabaru Kofun Group at Moribe, Tanushimaru Town
There are about seventy small kofuns halfway up the mountain. These are some ten meters across. Somehave a single chamber, others have multiple chambers. Its surrounding area is the Hirabaru Kofun Park,
designated a Prefectural Historic Site.
Cultural Properties Protection Department of Kurume
Address: 15-3 Jonan Kurume Fukuoka Japan 830-8520 / Tel: 0942-30-9225
Date of publication: October 2nd, 2006 / Translated in August 2020
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