Mozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster
Kofun (early 5th c. CE)·Yamato·🇯🇵 Kansai, Osaka, Sakai, Mozu tumulus group, Itasuke, Japan
About
About Mozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster
Mozu Itasuke excavated periphery 1980s, scallop shape intermediate between round and keyhole, moat eels.
Why it mattersKey Yamato tumulus with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of enclosure
- 02Astronomical alignment
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Defensive stronghold
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. 415 CE
- Period
- Kofun (early 5th c. CE)
- Culture
- Yamato
- Purpose
- 146 m scallop kofun (hotategai) with intact moat — elite junior to Daisen
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1983
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1920 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Mozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster
c. 400 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Mozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5560° N · 135.4750° E · 19 m · 4 mapped features
Mozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster — Principal Chamber
chamberchamber at Mozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster — outlier feature
34.5565° N · 135.4734° EMozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster — Northern Dromos
dromosdromos at Mozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster — subsidiary complex
34.5579° N · 135.4757° EMozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster — Southern Mound
moundmound at Mozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster — primary structure
34.5577° N · 135.4751° EMozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster — Eastern Chamber
chamberchamber at Mozu — Itasuke Kofun Moat-Side Cluster — hydraulic feature
34.5552° N · 135.4748° E