Kotachi Kofun, Keyhole-shaped burial mound in Akitakata, Japan
Kotachi Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound in Akitakata featuring a rectangular front section joined to a circular rear portion. The structure demonstrates the typical design of this period with carefully arranged proportions and a layout that rises above the surrounding landscape.
This burial mound dates to the Kofun period between 300 and 538 AD, when burial practices shifted away from earlier methods. The construction of such large earthworks reflected changes in how communities organized themselves and honored their leaders.
The clay figures scattered around the burial site represent soldiers, animals, and everyday objects that show how people valued craftsmanship and their social world. These finds reveal what mattered most to the community when honoring the dead.
The site is accessible from Akitakata city center through local routes, with information panels located near the entrance. Comfortable footwear is helpful since the terrain is uneven with grassy slopes and pathways to explore.
The stone chamber construction reveals sophisticated techniques that demonstrate advanced engineering knowledge for its time. Builders employed precise placement methods to align the structure with the surrounding landscape in a way few contemporaries could achieve.
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