日本の夏、2008
summer in Japan, 2008
 
 
 
A tumulus is a large burial mound constructed for burying emperors and war lords during the 5th to 7th century A.D.  Tumuli are ubiquitous in Japan.  They tend to cluster together and when you visit one you could get two or more along with it.  Some are, as shown below, rebuilt and some are to let nature taking over.  They were the perfect play grounds for kids.  I used to play at Hotouzan Kofun, located right next to my apartment at the time, and often wondered how they brought together a large amount of earth and how they cut and placed large stone pieces with their technologies.  Many large tumuli had been decorated with many Haniwa, which are unglazed pottery, with different shapes and sizes, which include human figures, animals, housewares, and houses.  Very interesting!  
Houtouzan (宝塔山) Kofun
Soja-machi 総社町
Houtouzan (宝塔山) Kofun
Soja-machi 総社町
Houtouzan (宝塔山) Kofun
Soja-machi 総社町
Jaketsuzan (蛇穴山) Kofun
Soja-machi 総社町
Jaketsuzan (蛇穴山) Kofun
Soja-machi 総社町
O-oyama (王山) Kofun
Soja-machi 総社町 −後円部
O-oyama (王山) Kofun
Soja-machi 総社町 −前方部
O-oyama (王山) Kofun
Soja-machi 総社町 −積み石
Mitsuya (三津屋) Kofun
Yoshioka-mura 吉岡村
Mitsuya (三津屋) Kofun
Yoshioka-mura 吉岡村
Mitsuya (三津屋) Kofun
Yoshioka-mura 吉岡村
Mitsuya (三津屋) Kofun
Yoshioka-mura 吉岡村
Mitsuya (三津屋) Kofun
Yoshioka-mura 吉岡村
Mitsuya (三津屋) Kofun
Yoshioka-mura 吉岡村
Kan-non-yama (観音山) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Kan-non-yama (観音山) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Kan-non-yama (観音山) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Kan-non-yama (観音山) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Kan-non-yama (観音山) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Kan-non-yama (観音山) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Yawatazuka (八幡塚古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Futagoyama (二子山古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Futagoyama (二子山古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Futagoyama (二子山古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Futagoyama (二子山古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
Futagoyama (二子山古墳) Kofun, Takasaki 高崎市
 
Gunma’s tumuli from the 5th-7th century A.D.