方墳大塚古墳, Square burial mound in Nishi-ku, Saitama, Japan
Hōfun Ōtsuka Kofun is a square-shaped burial mound that rises about 4 meters high with base sides ranging from 21 to 25 meters. The flat top of the structure spans roughly 9.5 meters across.
The mound was likely built between 300 and 538 AD during the Kofun period and was officially recognized as a Saitama Prefecture Historic Site in 1958. It reflects how communities of that era honored and buried their leaders.
This square kofun represents how burial structures expressed the status of regional leaders in early Japan. The form itself tells you something about the social order and beliefs of the Kofun period.
You can reach the site by car from the Miyamae Interchange on the Nishi-Omiya Bypass or walk from JR Nishi-Omiya Station on the Kawagoe Line. Walking lets you take in the neighborhood and get a feel for the area around the mound.
The interior of this burial mound has never been excavated, leaving its internal structure and construction date a mystery. This untouched state makes it a rare window into how these monuments were originally built and arranged.
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