三昧塚古墳, Keyhole-shaped burial mound in Namegata, Japan.
Zanmaiduka Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound measuring approximately 85 meters in total length, combining a circular rear chamber about 47 meters in diameter with a rectangular front section roughly 37 meters wide. The structure today appears as earthen slopes covered in vegetation, with trees framing the ancient monument.
This burial mound was constructed during the Kofun period, when such monumental earthworks were standard for important figures in society. Systematic archaeological investigation in the 1990s revealed its contents and significance as a record of that era.
The name references Buddhist meditation practices, reflecting spiritual beliefs connected to this burial site across generations. Visitors walking through the grounds today can experience the quiet reverence that the landscape itself seems to maintain.
The site is straightforward to visit with a walking path that circles the mound, allowing visitors to observe its full form from various angles. Best conditions for visiting occur during dry weather, as rainfall can make the unpaved areas muddy and harder to navigate.
Excavations uncovered an exceptional bronze crown adorned with horse and tree motifs, whose craftsmanship remains singular among similar artifacts discovered in Japan. The intricate perforated patterns and floral details on this piece demonstrate the refined metalworking skills of the Kofun era.
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