Daisenryo Kofun (Nintoku's Tomb)
Daisen Kofun · Mozu Daisen Kofun · Emperor Nintoku Mausoleum · Daisenryo Kofun
Middle Kofun 5th c CE (Yamato apex)·Yamato middle Kofun (Mozu group)·🇯🇵 Kansai, Osaka Prefecture, Sakai City, Sakai Ward, Daisencho 1079-1, Mozu plain south Osaka, Japan
About
About Daisenryo Kofun (Nintoku's Tomb)
Daisenryo Kofun — largest kofun in Japan (486 m long, 35 m high) and one of world's largest tombs (equal Great Pyramid footprint), built mid 5th c CE (c.425–475) for Emperor Nintoku per tradition, on Mozu plain Sakai, excavated non-invasively (Imperial Household Agency restricts). Daisenryo is the apex zenpō-kōen-fun: rear circle 249 m diameter, front 307 m wide, triple moat 60 m wide, area 32 ha moat. Attributed to Nintoku (16th emperor, 5th c). Part of UNESCO Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group 2019 criteria iii, iv. Haniwa and sue ware from moat.
Why it mattersLargest tomb in Japan and one of largest mounds worldwide — Nintoku mausoleum and apex Yamato monumentality
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Burial chamber unexcavated — Nintoku or another king?
Theories
- 01Mozu gigantism as Yamato continental diplomacy (Korean–Chinese missions)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.425–475 CE middle Kofun (Mozu phase)
- Period
- Middle Kofun 5th c CE (Yamato apex)
- Culture
- Yamato middle Kofun (Mozu group)
- Builders
- Yamato court (Nintoku dynasty artisans)
- Purpose
- Imperial mausoleum for Emperor Nintoku and Yamato kingship power display on Mozu plain
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c.425–475 CE
Daisenryo mound built on Mozu plain
720 CE
Nihon Shoki attributes to Nintoku (5th c)
2019
UNESCO Mozu-Furuichi inscription 1593
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5648° N · 135.4880° E · 12 m · 2 mapped features
Rear Circular Mound with Stone Chamber (Undug)
mound249-m diameter rear circle 35 m high with unexcavated stone chamber (Imperial tomb)
34.5658° N · 135.4872° ETriple Moat and Front Rectangular Section
earthworkTriple moat 60 m wide and 307-m wide front section with haniwa-bearing levees
34.5633° N · 135.4891° E