上大谷古墳群（18～20号墳）

Whispers of ancient rituals echo through the Kamigamo Shrine, but our journey takes us to a different kind of sacred ground. We stand before the enigmatic 上大谷古墳群（18〜20号墓）, the Kami-Ootani Kofun Cluster. These grassy mounds hold the secrets of a powerful clan who resided here between the 3rd and 7th centuries. The Kami-Ootani Kofun Cluster isn’t just a collection of burial mounds. It’s a window into the Kofun period, a time of great societal change and elaborate burial practices in Japan. Imagine the scale of the original site. It comprised two keyhole-shaped mounds (zenpoko-kofun), eight square mounds (hokaku-kofun), and ten round mounds (enpun-kofun). Today, eleven mounds remain, including a relocated horizontal stone chamber from tomb number 17. This cluster is more than just dirt and stone. It’s a designated historical site within Kyoto City, whispering tales of a time long past. Excavations at the Kami-Ootani Kofun Cluster have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts, painting a vivid picture of the lives and beliefs of those buried here. From tomb number 6, the westernmost mound, archaeologists have discovered a “kirin” mirror, depicting a mythical Chinese creature. This, along with iron armor and other burial goods, speaks to the high status of the individuals interred here. Other tombs have yielded magatama beads, cylindrical beads, bronze mirrors, and even earthenware and pottery. Tomb 12, constructed later in the cluster’s history, housed an array of personal adornments, weapons, and tools, providing insights into the evolving burial customs of the era. The Kami-Ootani Kofun Cluster offers a tangible link to Kyoto’s rich and layered past. As you stand here, imagine the processions that once wound their way to these sacred mounds, the rituals performed, and the reverence for the ancestors laid to rest within. These silent sentinels offer a powerful reminder of the passage of time and the enduring legacy of those who came before us.