Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb
箸墓古墳 · Hashihaka Tomb
Early Kofun (mid-3rd c. CE c. 250 CE)·Yamato early Kofun (Himiko? Queen)·🇯🇵 Honshu, Nara Prefecture, Sakurai, Hashihaka-cho, Makimuku, Japan
About
About Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb
Makimuku Hashihaka excavated around moat 1990s, 280 m earliest Kofun predating Daisen by 180 yrs. Recorded context — Period: Early Kofun (mid-3rd c. CE c. 250 CE); Culture: Yamato early Kofun (Himiko? Queen); Field status: excavated; Materials: earth, fukiishi; Condition: preserved — forest.
Why it mattersKey Yamato early Kofun (Himiko? Queen) tumulus with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Construction labor organization
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
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. 250 CE (earliest zenpō-kōen)
- Period
- Early Kofun (mid-3rd c. CE c. 250 CE)
- Culture
- Yamato early Kofun (Himiko? Queen)
- Purpose
- Japan's first giant keyhole kofun (280 m) — transition Yayoi to Kofun, possible Queen Himiko tomb
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1927
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 250 CE (earliest zenpō-kōen)
Initial construction / first occupation at Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb
1920 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb
c. 200 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5370° N · 135.8420° E · 88 m · 3 mapped features
- Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb — Principal Chamberchamberchamber at Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb — subsidiary complex34.5388° N · 135.8423° E
- Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb — Northern Dromosdromosdromos at Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb — primary structure34.5355° N · 135.8413° E
- Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb — Southern Moundmoundmound at Hashihaka Kofun — Earliest Keyhole Tomb — hydraulic feature34.5362° N · 135.8431° E
Gallery