Hashihaka Kofun
Hashihaka Tumulus · Yamato First Keyhole Kofun · Yamato Totohi Momoso Hime Tomb
Early Kofun 280–300 CE (Yayoi → Kofun)·Yamato early Kofun (Makimuku–Hashihaka)·🇯🇵 Kansai, Nara Prefecture, Sakurai City, Hashihaka district (Makimuku plain) 2 km south of Sakurai station, Makimuku–Hashihaka plain, Japan
About
About Hashihaka Kofun
Hashihaka Kofun — first large keyhole-shaped kofun (zenpō-kōen-fun, c.280–300 CE) 280 m long, 30 m high on Makimuku plain Sakurai, excavated 1970s–2000s Shiraishi. Hashihaka is the Yamato kingship's inaugural monumental tomb — rear circle 150 m diameter, front 120 m wide, moat. Associated with Queen Yamato Totohi Momoso Hime (Nihon Shoki), daughter of Emperor Kōrei. Dated by carbon of moat and Dogra? pottery to late 3rd c, proving early Yamato state emergence. UNESCO Mozu-Furuichi? No, but national Historic Site. Hokenoyama kofun predecessor nearby.
Why it mattersFirst keyhole kofun in Japan — Yamato state formation type-site; dates Yamato kingship to late 3rd c
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Which ruler — Momoso Hime or Emperor Sujin?
Theories
- 01Hashihaka as Yamato Totohi Momoso Hime per Nihon Shoki
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.280–300 CE early Kofun (late Yayoi → early Kofun transition)
- Period
- Early Kofun 280–300 CE (Yayoi → Kofun)
- Culture
- Yamato early Kofun (Makimuku–Hashihaka)
- Builders
- Early Yamato kingship (Yamato Totohi Momoso Hime tradition)
- Purpose
- Inaugural Yamato royal mausoleum marking Yamato state formation on Makimuku plain
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.280–300 CE
Hashihaka mound built on Makimuku plain
3rd–4th c
Yamato mounded tomb tradition spreads to Mozu
1970s–2000s
Shiraishi dating to late 3rd c proves early Yamato
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5430° N · 135.8270° E · 75 m · 2 mapped features
Rear Circular Mound (Enpun) with Burial Chamber
mound150-m diameter rear circular mound 30 m high with central pit chamber
34.5440° N · 135.8262° EFront Rectangular Section and Moat
mound earthwork120-m wide front rectangular section with 10-m moat trace
34.5415° N · 135.8281° E
Gallery