Kitsui Shiroyama Kofun, Keyhole-shaped burial mound in Sakai City, Japan.
Kitsui Shiroyama Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound divided into two main sections: a circular portion containing the burial chamber and a trapezoidal area designed for ceremonies. The structure demonstrates the sophisticated construction methods used to honor important individuals from that period.
This burial mound was built roughly 1,600 years ago during an era when monumental tombs served as symbols of power for Japan's ruling class. The period saw an emphasis on large-scale burial architecture as a means of displaying social status and authority.
Objects discovered at the site include bronze mirrors and jade pieces that suggest how people viewed death and prepared the deceased for the afterlife. These artifacts reveal beliefs and customs that shaped burial practices during that era.
Direct access to the burial mound is not permitted, but views are available from designated observation areas near Sakai City Hall. Staying in marked areas helps protect this important archaeological site from damage.
This burial mound belongs to a vast network of hundreds of thousands of ancient burial sites scattered across Japan. Many of these sites remain hidden beneath overgrown vegetation, making them difficult to spot and study today.
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