Shibutani Mukaiyama Kofun, Imperial mausoleum in Tenri, Japan.
Shibutani Mukaiyama Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound in Tenri, Nara Prefecture, spanning approximately 300 meters in length. The structure belongs to the Yanagimoto Kofun Cluster and retains the characteristic double-mounded silhouette from ancient times.
The mound was built in the 4th century and traditionally serves as the resting place of Emperor Keiko according to historical records. Its construction demonstrates the advanced engineering methods and organizational capacity of ancient Japanese society.
The mound's name traces back to the families involved in its construction, and its distinctive shape reflects the social hierarchies of ancient times. Walking around the site, you can observe how its size alone conveyed power and status.
The site is managed and strictly protected by the Imperial Household Agency, with designated boundaries that regulate access. Visitors should note the marked areas and respect the solemn nature of the location.
The mound reveals evidence of advanced flat-terrain building methods that allowed ancient builders to create such monumental structures on level ground. The technique shows how workers without modern equipment were able to precisely shape and compact earth into towering forms.
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