Ojinzuka Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Samukawa, Japan.
The Ojinzuka Kofun is an ancient burial mound in Samukawa with a distinctive keyhole shape formed by circular and rectangular sections. This large earthwork spreads across the landscape and demonstrates the construction methods used for elite tombs of that period.
This site was built during the Kofun period between 250 and 538 AD and reflects architectural practices of early Japanese elite burials. It demonstrates how that society expressed social rank through elaborate tomb construction and layout.
Terracotta figurines called haniwa once surrounded the burial mound as part of ritual practices honoring the deceased. These sculptures reveal how people in this era understood the spiritual world and expressed respect for the dead.
The site is openly accessible and can be explored on foot, with the entire area manageable to walk around. Informational markers at the location help visitors understand the structure and significance of the monument.
Archaeological research reveals that this mound was built using construction techniques distinct from other tombs found in the Kanagawa region. These differences suggest that the local elite developed their own burial customs and practices.
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