Matsuoka Kofun Cluster, Ancient tomb cluster in Eiheiji Town, Japan.
The Matsuoka Kofun Cluster is a group of burial mounds containing four keyhole-shaped tumuli and three additional structures, situated on a ridge at the eastern edge of the Fukui Plain. The arrangement allows direct comparison of different burial mound designs from different periods in one location.
These burial mounds were constructed between the mid-4th and late 5th centuries and belonged to leaders who controlled water rights from the Kuzuryu River. Their existence shows how crucial water control was to the power of local communities in this region during that time.
The Taguriyama Kofun displays cylindrical and asymmetrical clay figurines along its summit and sides, revealing how ancient communities honored their leaders. Visitors can observe these objects and understand the burial customs that shaped local identity during that era.
The site sits on an open ridge with good views of the different mounds from several vantage points. The terrain is walkable, though visitors should expect uneven ground and potentially steep sections, especially when wet.
The Taguriyama Kofun, the largest mound, was built using river stones in a two-layered roof structure, revealing a distinctive construction technique of its era. These stone layers remain visible today and demonstrate the careful planning that went into such monuments.
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