THE DIGITAL BURIAL MOUND ENCYCLOPEDIA

1. WHAT IS THE MOZU TUMULUS GROUP?

The Mozu Tumulus Group is a group of burial mounds built on a plateau with Daisen Tumulus (or Nintoku-ryo Tumulus), and Misanzai Tumulus (or Richu-ryo Tumulus) forming the center of the group. The area the group covers is extensive and extends approximately 4 km north, south, east and west. The area stretches north to Mikunigaokacho, south to Hajicho, east to Nakamozucho and west to Ishizucho. Construction began around the end of the 4th century or the beginning of the 5th century (the middle of the Kofun, or Tumulus Period) and continued until sometime around the latter half of the 6th century (the beginning of the latter half of the Kofun Period). The number of burial mounds constructed during this time exceeded 100.

2. THE MOZU TUMULUS GROUP TODAY

Presently, including partially damaged mounds, there are 21 keyhole-shaped mounds, 20 circular mounds, and 5 square mounds, totaling 47 mounds in all. Since over 100 mounds had originally existed, the current figure indicates that more than half have disappeared. It is extremely unfortunate however, that the fifth largest keyhole-shaped burial mound, the Ostukayama Tumulus, was destroyed in 1945 and is now a residential area.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE MAJOR BURIAL MOUNDS

note)Abbreviation of present condition

A-preserved mounds
B-partially damaged mounds
C-original mound's shape is changed
D-disappeared mounds