Maefutago Kofun, Keyhole-shaped burial mound in Nishi-Ōmuro, Takasaki, Japan
The Maefutago Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound in Nishi-Ōmuro, Takasaki, with a round front section and a rectangular rear area arranged at an angle to each other. The mound is surrounded by a double moat and contains a stone-lined burial chamber with a sarcophagus inside.
This burial mound was built in the early 6th century and belongs to a period when such structures were constructed for regional leaders and dignitaries. Its first scientific excavation occurred during Japan's early modern era, when efforts were made to locate and study important historical graves.
The clay figurines discovered here depict everyday work and domestic objects from that period, offering visitors insight into how people lived in ancient times. These figures are displayed throughout the park today and reveal how communities honored their dead through detailed representations of daily life.
The site is located within Ōmuro Park, where other burial mounds and period reconstructions are also accessible to visitors. The best time to visit is during the park's regular hours, when pathways are maintained and information displays are available.
The sarcophagus chamber contains artifacts with origins on the Korean Peninsula, pointing to early contact and trade between this region and East Asia. Such finds are rare at Japanese burial mounds and make this site significant evidence of ancient connections across distances.
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