Shibayama Kofun Cluster, Ancient burial mounds in Yokoshibahikari, Japan
The Shibayama Kofun Cluster is a group of ancient burial mounds on the east bank of the Kido River in Yokoshibahikari, Chiba Prefecture. It consists of two keyhole-shaped tombs and 13 dome-shaped mounds, which yielded grave goods such as rings, swords, and horse fittings when excavated.
The mounds were built in the 6th century, during the later part of the Kofun period, when elaborate burial sites were common across Japan. They were officially designated as a National Historic Site of Japan in 1958.
The clay figures found during excavations show people, horses, and dogs arranged in scenes linked to burial rituals. They give a direct sense of how the living imagined the afterlife and the role that animals played in those ceremonies.
The site is within walking distance of the Yokoshiba Nakadai bus stop, making it easy to reach without a car. Wear comfortable shoes, as the mounds are outdoors and the ground around them can be uneven.
The burial chamber of the Tonozuka mound has red-painted interior walls, something rarely seen in excavated chambers from that period. The red pigment was made from iron oxide, which was believed at the time to protect the dead from evil spirits.
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