Iwakura (Fukuoka)
Iwakura Kofun Cluster · Iwakura Rock-Cut Tombs
Kofun Middle–Late 350–550 CE (Northern Kyushu–Genkai)·Northern Kyushu Kofun (Genkai–Itoshima)·🇯🇵 Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City / Itoshima–Sawara, Iwakura hill above Fukuoka plain (Genkai Sea hinterland near Yoshinogari frontier), Japan
About
About Iwakura (Fukuoka)
Northern Kyushu keyhole tumulus group (c.350–550 CE Middle–Late Kofun Itoshima–Fukuoka plain) at Iwakura hill above Fukuoka — 55 m keyhole with corridor and Korean-derived Sue ware and young-girl iron armor (tankō) plus Heguri-ware house-shaped haniwa, excavated 1975–85. Iwakura bridges Yoshinogari Yayoi decline to Dazaifu Yamato frontier: same Fukuoka plain where Itazuke earliest paddy lies 10 km east, showing continuous rice-plain → mound burial elite continuity on Genkai coast facing Korean Silla–Gaya trade via Iki strait above.
Why it mattersNorthern Kyushu link between Yayoi rice plain (Itazuke–Yoshinogari) and Kofun Yamato frontier — armor proves Genkai–Korea armed elite exchange.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why house-shaped haniwa 40 cm atop Genkai coast not Kinai?
- 02Tankō armor Genkai vs Yamato central type variance
Theories
- 01Itoshima as Dazaifu antecedent; Genkai coast as Yamato–Silla armed buffer
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.400 CE initial keyhole; burial 500–550 CE
- Period
- Kofun Middle–Late 350–550 CE (Northern Kyushu–Genkai)
- Culture
- Northern Kyushu Kofun (Genkai–Itoshima)
- Builders
- Itoshima–Fukuoka regional chiefs allied Yamato
- Purpose
- Genkai elite burial with Korean-style iron armor and house haniwa on rice-plain ancestor hill
- Abandoned
- c.600 CE reorganized into Dazaifu capital focus; haniwa redump
- Rediscovered
- 1975 Fukuoka housing estate salvage exposes keyhole with armor; 1985 cluster mapped
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.400 CE
55 m keyhole with stone corridor built for Itoshima chief
c.500–550 CE
Sue ware jars, tankō iron armor and house haniwa interred
1975–85
Fukuoka Board Ed. saves cluster from New Town
On the ground
Structures & features
33.5800° N · 130.3500° E · 40 m · 2 mapped features
55 m Keyhole Mound with Corridor (yokoana)
tumulus55×30 m keyhole tumulus with 7 m yokoana corridor and capstone pair on Iwakura hill
33.5805° N · 130.3505° EBurial Chamber with Tankō Armor and House Haniwa
burialCorridor chamber with lamellar tankō iron armor and house-shaped haniwa model 40 cm plus Sue ware jar row
33.5795° N · 130.3495° E