Daisen Kofun, Ancient imperial tomb in Sakai-ku, Japan.
Daisen Kofun is an imperial mausoleum in Sakai-ku, Japan that forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and represents an archaeological site with a characteristic keyhole shape. The structure measures 525 meters in length and reaches 39.8 meters in height, surrounded by three concentric water moats that frame the entire construction.
The burial site was built in the mid-5th century and marks the peak of mound architecture in ancient Japan. The complex serves as the resting place for Emperor Nintoku, whose reign was a period of intense monumental architecture.
The mound reflects the hierarchical structure of the society at the time, when large groups of workers built monumental structures for the rulers. Visitors today see the forested outer walls, which became a green space through centuries of natural development while the original form remains recognizable.
Visitors can view the outer areas of the mound from marked pathways, as the Imperial Household Agency strictly protects the inner zones. Walking around the outer moat offers different perspectives on the massive structure and takes about an hour on foot.
Several chambers inside contain burial goods, including bronze objects from China and pottery from Korea, documenting trade connections over long distances. These objects show how ancient Japan was already part of a network of international relations in the 5th century.
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