Nagatsuka Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Sakai-ku, Japan
Nagatsuka Kofun is a burial mound with a distinctive keyhole outline surrounded by concentric moats that create multiple tiers across a large area. The layout shows how ancient rulers organized these funerary spaces with careful planning and considerable earthwork.
This burial mound was constructed in the 5th century during a period when powerful rulers marked the landscape with monumental funerary structures. It stands as part of the Mozu complex, a group of royal tombs documenting the dominance of ruling dynasties of that era.
The keyhole shape carries spiritual meaning from the era when it was built, reflecting beliefs about connecting the earthly and divine realms. Walking through the grounds today, you can sense how the scale and layout were intended to create a space of reverence and ceremony.
The mound is accessible by public transport with stations nearby connecting to major cities and transport hubs. The site is walkable with paths circling the structure, and open spaces allow you to move around freely and view the mound from various angles.
Clay haniwa figures once lined the mound, depicting everything from warriors to musicians and everyday items of the period. These scattered remains reveal what mourners and builders believed the deceased would need or appreciate in the afterlife.
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