How about stepping back sixteen hundred years? Imagine this very spot then. We are standing before the Shionjiyama Kofun. It is a keyhole-shaped burial mound. This is no ordinary grave. It is the final resting place for a powerful ruler. Shionjiyama Kofun is the largest of its kind in the Nakakawachi area.
The Shionjiyama Kofun dates back to the mid-Kofun period. That places it in the 5th century. Picture a time of emerging power. A time when the Yamato court extended its reach.
Look around. The mound stretches 160 meters long. Imagine it freshly built. It has three tiers. See the stones covering its slopes. Envision around 3000 cylindrical haniwa. They once stood on the flat surfaces.
Archaeological digs reveal much. The front part held a square enclosure. It had a burial facility beneath. The rear circle held three clay mortuary facilities. A wooden coffin rested in the west one. Mirrors armor and swords lay within. These items point to the person’s high status. This person likely governed this region. They possibly held a key position in the Yamato court.
Notice the unique “tsukuridashi” section. It is like a stage jutting out. From here excavators unearthed special haniwa. These represented a water ritual site. These haniwa are precious artifacts. They offer insight into royal rituals.
A temple once stood west of the Shionjiyama Kofun. It was called Shionji. The kofun’s name comes from this temple. The temple vanished long ago. The name “Shionji” changed slightly over time.
In 2005 the Shionjiyama Kofun was restored. It shows its original splendor. You can even walk on it. Consider the leader buried here. The Shionjiyama Kofun stands as a testament to their power. It represents the Kofun period’s rich history. It demonstrates ancient Japan’s fascinating burial practices.