大日山35號墳, Keyhole-shaped tomb in Wakayama, Japan
Dainichiyama Mound 35 is a keyhole-shaped burial mound located at the summit of Mount Dainichi in Wakayama that extends roughly 86 meters in length. The structure combines a rectangular and rounded section built on a shield-shaped base with distinct levels rising toward the peak.
This burial mound was built during the first half of the 6th century, representing the Asuka period of Japanese history. The stone chamber displays the Iwahashi style with horizontal stone shelves and beams characteristic of elaborate tomb construction during that era.
Terracotta figurines arranged around the mound depict cylinders, birds, and double-faced human forms that offer glimpses into burial customs of the era. These objects reflect how people thought about the afterlife and what they valued in daily life.
You can visit the site itself, though the most important finds are displayed at the Kii Fudoki no Oka Museum in Wakayama Prefecture. The museum houses weapons, ornaments, and horse gear excavated from the tomb that reveal the social standing of those buried here.
The interior stone chamber stretches about 7 meters long and stands roughly 2.8 meters tall, with two horizontal stone slabs serving as burial shelves. These substantial dimensions reflect the importance of the person laid to rest and the effort invested in their tomb.
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