Shiratori Kofun, Keyhole-shaped burial mound in Matsuyama, Japan
Shiratori Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound in Matsuyama consisting of a rounded section connected to a rectangular platform. The entire structure is encircled by moats that define and protect the earthen monument.
The mound was built between 300 and 538 AD during the Kofun period, showing how Japan's early rulers were buried. It dates from an era when the country's imperial system was forming.
The tomb contains burial chambers with stone arrangements and clay figures called haniwa, representing daily life objects and ceremonial items.
The site covers several hundred meters and requires a full circular walk to see the complete form from different vantage points. It is best explored on foot, taking time to walk around each section of the mound.
While thousands of keyhole-shaped mounds were built in Japan, this one stands out for its specific construction methods and the careful arrangement of its interior structures. The way stone and earth were combined sets this site apart from other surviving examples.
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