Izumizaki Cave Tomb
Izumizaki Yokoana Kofun (泉崎横穴古墳) is a horizontal kofun burial chamber located in the village of Izumizaki, Fukushima in the southern Tōhoku region of northern Japan. It is significant in that it is a decorated kofun with depictions of men, women, animals, boats, horses and eddy patterns, painted in red on the walls of the burial chamber.[1] Such decorated kofun occur primary in Kyushu, and this is the northernmost example yet discovered and indicates the penetration of Kofun period culture into lands traditionally considered part of the Emishi cultural zone.
泉崎横穴古墳 | |
 Izumizaki Yokoana Kofun | |
 .svg.png){kind=icon} Shown within Fukushima Prefecture  Izumizaki Cave Tomb (Japan) | |
| Location | Izumizaki, Fukushima, Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Tōhoku region |
| Coordinates | 37°09′9.7″N 140°19′2.0″E |
| Type | kofun |
| History | |
| Founded | early 7th century AD |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1933 |
| Ownership | National Historic Site |
| Public access | No |
The kofun was found and excavated in 1933 during the construction of a prefectural highway. The tomb is one of a group of seven which were discovered at the same time, but was the only one of the group which was decorated. The tomb does not appear in any historical records and the name of rank of the person buried within is unknown. From the style of the mound and grave goods uncovered within, archaeologists have dated the kofun to the early 7th century AD.
The kofun was granted protection as a National Historic Site in 1934.[2]
References
- Frederick, Louis (2005). Japan Encyclopedia. Harvard University Press. p. 412. ISBN 0674017536.
- "泉崎横穴古墳". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
External links
- Izumizaki village home page (in Japanese)