Hachimanyama Kofun (Nagoya)

The Hachimanyama Kofun (八幡山古墳, Hachimanyama Kofun) is an archaeological site containing a large Kofun period [[kofun|burial mound] located in what is now part of Shōwa Ward in the city of Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Dating from the mid-fifth century, it is the largest circular kofun in the Tōkai region of Japan. The site was designated as a National Historic Site by the Japanese government in 1931. [1]

Hachimanyama Kofun
八幡山古墳
Hachimanyama Kofun
Hachimanyama Kofun
Hachimanyama Kofun (Nagoya) (Japan)
LocationShōwa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
RegionTōkai region
Coordinates35°09′14″N 136°55′26″E
History
PeriodsKofun period
Site notes
OwnershipNational Historic Site
Public accessNo

Overview

The Hachimanyama Kofun is a large circular mound, with a diameter of 82 meters and height of 10 meters, and was once surrounded by a 10-meter wide moat (now filled in). The name "Hachimanyama" came from a Shinto shrine, the Hachiman Jinja, which was once located on its summit. The kofun is the largest and only survivor of a group of tumuli which once existed in the area. It was incorporated into Tsurumai Park in 1919. During World War II, the site was seized by the Imperial Japanese Army, and the summit was flattened for use as the location of an anti-aircraft battery. After the war, the mound was remodeled by the city of Nagoya, and trees were replanted; however, no excavation was made and the site was fenced off with public access prohibited. Per pre-war records, numerous haniwa had been recovered from the site, but these were lost in the war and their present whereabouts (or even if they still survive) is unknown.

The kofun is located about 8 minutes on foot from JR Chuo Main Line Tsurumai Station.

See also

References
  1. "八幡山古墳" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
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