Sengenzuka Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Gyoda, Japan
Sengenzuka Kofun is a circular burial mound standing 8.7 meters high with a 92-meter circumference, showcasing the typical construction of seventh-century Japanese tombs. The rounded shape represents the architectural style common to this period.
Built in the first half of the seventh century, this burial mound marks the final major tomb in a regional collection of ancient graves. It reflects the shift in burial practices during that era.
Inscriptions from the Manyoshu, an ancient Japanese poetry collection, appear on the stone markers around the mound. These carvings show how classical literature was connected to burial practices of the era.
The site is accessible by local buses running regularly from nearby stations throughout the day. Plan to explore the mound on foot at a leisurely pace.
Two shrines occupy different locations on the mound: one at its peak and another positioned partway up the slope. This arrangement of paired religious structures on a single burial site is unusual and sets it apart from other regional tombs.
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