Makimuku Keyhole Kofun
Hashihaka Kofun? · Makimuku Tumulus · Sakurai Makimuku
Early Kofun 250–300 CE (transition Yayoi→Kofun)·Yayoi–Early Kofun — Makimuku/Yamato nucleus (Kinai)·🇯🇵 Japan, Kansai, Nara Prefecture, Sakurai City, Makimuku district at Miwa Mountain foothills, southeastern Nara basin headwaters, Japan
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About
About Makimuku Keyhole Kofun
Makimuku Keyhole Kofun — Makimuku Kofun cluster's keyhole trio at Miyama foothills 3 km south Sakurai, earliest keyhole zenpo-koen (late 3rd c CE) defining Yamato Kofun genesis before Hashihaka (often considered founded near Himiko's death c.247 CE). Excavated 1970s–2000s: Makimuku Ishizuka Kofun (96 m), Hashihaka (280 m 4th c) nearby as Japan's largest 3rd c form, with Makimuku-style Yayoi–Kofun Sue ware transition, bronzes, and moat. Makimuku is leading Himiko Yamatai palace candidate supporting Nara basin Yamatai theory. Isotopes prove Kinai Kinai polity rise.
Why it mattersEarliest keyhole Kofun — Yamato state genesis and leading Himiko Yamatai (Kinai) palace candidate
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Makimuku vs Yoshinogari — which is Himiko's Yamatai palace?
Theories
- 01Kinai Yamatai genesis at Makimuku–Miwa
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.250–280 CE early Kofun (Makimuku Ishizuka late 3rd c)
- Period
- Early Kofun 250–300 CE (transition Yayoi→Kofun)
- Culture
- Yayoi–Early Kofun — Makimuku/Yamato nucleus (Kinai)
- Builders
- Yamato early chiefs pre-Hashihaka
- Purpose
- First keyhole Kofun centre marking Yamato state genesis and Himiko Yamatai palace candidate
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.250 CE
Ishizuka 96-m keyhole earliest in Nara basin
c.280 CE
Hashihaka 280 m built nearby (Wei Zhi Himiko death 247 linkage)
2009–
Sakurai Makimuku palace post-holes reveal Himiko candidate
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5360° N · 135.8220° E · 115 m · 2 mapped features
- Ishizuka Keyhole Long Axiskofun96-m Ishizuka keyhole principal longitudinal axis with moat and early Sue ware on western ridge34.5365° N · 135.8215° E
- Palace Post-Hole District EastsettlementPalace post-hole alignment 30 m east of kofun moat candidate Himiko palace at Makimuku34.5355° N · 135.8225° E
Gallery