Ōta Tenjin-yama Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Ota, Japan
Ōta Tenjin-yama Kofun is an ancient burial mound shaped like a keyhole, with a squared front section and a circular rear portion stretching 210 meters total. The site originally contained a stone sarcophagus and grave goods reflecting the funeral practices of the era.
The burial mound was built during the 5th century as a major funerary monument of its time. Its construction demonstrates the advanced engineering and social organization necessary to create such a substantial structure.
The mound once held haniwa clay figures showing people and houses, reflecting how ancient Japanese honored their dead and marked important burial sites. These handcrafted figures reveal what daily life looked like and how people expressed their beliefs through burial practices.
The site is accessible for visitors to walk around the exterior and observe the mound's distinctive shape. The nearby Ota City History Museum houses recovered objects and provides context about the monument and the era it represents.
The monument takes its name from a Shinto shrine dedicated to Tenjin that once occupied the narrow connecting section between the two main parts of the mound. This blend of ancient burial traditions with later religious practice creates an interesting layer of history at this single location.
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