Slipping through time, imagine the year 1960. A team of archaeologists meticulously surveyed the landscape of Tama, Japan. Among their discoveries was the Kiyomizuzuka 1 Gofun, listed as number 101 among the ancient burial mounds of Tama. This circular mound, a silent sentinel of the past, held secrets waiting to be unearthed. Today, Kiyomizuzuka 1 Gofun stands as a testament to a bygone era. Its presence whispers tales of ancient rituals and the lives of those laid to rest within its earthen embrace.
Kiyomizuzuka 1 Gofun is more than just a mound of earth. It’s a keyhole-shaped tomb, a style known as zenpō-kōen-fun. This design, with its circular rear and squared front, was common during the Kofun period (3rd-7th centuries AD). However, the artifacts discovered near Kiyomizuzuka 1 Gofun, primarily Sue ware pottery, suggest a later construction date, around the early 8th century. This places it within the Nara period, a time of significant cultural and political development in Japan.
The Kiyomizuzuka 1 Gofun originally stood around 3 meters tall and had a diameter of about 20 meters. Time and the elements have taken their toll, reducing its height to approximately 2.5 meters. The tomb is located near a residential area, allowing for easy access and observation from the nearby road. A captivating feature of Kiyomizuzuka 1 Gofun is the Ōyama Inari Shrine perched atop its surface. This vibrant shrine, believed to have been transplanted from the renowned Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, adds another layer of history and spirituality to the site. The shrine’s location overlooking the surrounding area offers a sense of connection to the past, as if the spirits of those buried within the mound are still watching over the land.
Interestingly, the name Kiyomizuzuka, meaning “clear water mound,” is linked to a nearby spring-fed river. This river, known as the Kiyosui River, which was fed by the Senryu-ji Temple’s Sensui Pond, is thought to have provided the earth used to construct the mound. This connection to the natural landscape underscores the ancient Japanese reverence for the interconnectedness of life and the elements. Our journey to Kiyomizuzuka 1 Gofun offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Japanese history. It connects us to the ancient traditions and beliefs that shaped this land. It reminds us that even in the midst of a modern metropolis, echoes of the past can still be heard.