Unearthed in Saga Daikakuji Monzen Donomaecho lies Kitsunezuka Kofun. It is also known as Daikakuji 4th Kofun. This kofun is part of the Daikakuji Kofun Group. It offers a glimpse into Kyoto’s ancient past.
Kitsunezuka Kofun is a circular tumulus or empun. While not designated as a historical site it holds significant historical value. The mound measures 28 meters in diameter. It stands 4.5 meters high. A surrounding moat increases the total diameter to over 45 meters.
Imagine Kyoto in the early to mid-7th century. This kofun was built during the terminal phase of the Kofun period. The Kofun period spanned from around 300 to 538 AD. It marked the emergence of a unified political state.
The burial facility is a double-sleeved corridor-style stone chamber. It opens to the southeast. Large natural chert stones construct the chamber. Smaller sandstone stones appear in parts. The chamber’s total length is 6.8 meters. The main chamber is 3.8 meters long and 2.0-2.4 meters wide. Its current height is 2.1-2.3 meters. The passageway is 3.0 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. Its current height is 1.2 meters.
The rear wall has three tiers of single stones. The side walls likely have three tiers of double stones. Sediment obscures the first tier. The joints are inconsistently aligned. Small stones fill the gaps. The front wall is vertically aligned without overlap. The entrance has a single upright pillar stone. Access to the stone chamber’s interior is currently restricted.
Let’s explore Kitsunezuka Kofun’s excavation history. The kofun has been opened since at least the Edo period. Earthenware dishes were discovered then. By 1936 a small Inari shrine stood in front of the stone chamber. A measurement and detailed survey occurred in 1970. Kyoto University Archaeology Lab reported on it in 1971.
In 2014 measurement and excavation focused on the antechamber and forecourt. Ryukoku University reported these findings in 2016. A measurement survey of the mound in 2015 suggested a rectangular shape. Ryukoku University reported this in 2017. Excavation on the eastern side of the mound took place in 2016. The report followed in 2018.
Excavation on the southern side of the mound occurred in 2018. It yielded Sue ware fragments. The report came out in 2020. A test excavation around the mound was conducted in 2020. The Kyoto City Cultural Property Protection Division reported it in 2022. Sue ware fragments were found. These fragments help date the kofun. They provide insights into burial practices.
Kitsunezuka Kofun stands as a testament to ancient burial traditions. It reflects the cultural landscape of its time. Although time has passed, the kofun remains. It offers us a tangible link to Kyoto’s distant past. This ancient tumulus continues to intrigue historians. It invites us to ponder the lives and beliefs of those who came before.