御勝山古墳, Keyhole-shaped burial mound in Sakai, Japan
The Mikatsurayama Kofun is a tomb with a distinctive keyhole shape, made of connected circular and rectangular sections surrounded by three water-filled moats. The entire structure stretches about 365 meters in length.
This tomb dates from the 5th century, when powerful leaders across Japan built large burial structures to display their status. The period marks a transition toward such monumental constructions as symbols of authority.
The mound reflects burial traditions that shaped early Japanese society, with clay figures positioned around it to mark and protect the sacred space.
The site is managed by the Imperial Household Agency, which limits direct access, but visitors can view it from marked observation points near the Sakai City Museum. The elevated viewpoints offer the best perspective to see the entire shape.
Modern technology has revealed that beneath the mound lie multiple underground chambers built with massive stone blocks, pointing to advanced construction methods. This discovery shows that ancient builders possessed sophisticated engineering knowledge.
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