Kofun

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Daisenryō-Kofun, the tomb of Emperor Nintoku in Sakai ( 5th century )

As Kofun ( Japanese 古墳 , literally "old grave mound") refers to old in a broader sense tumuli in Japan , whose origin is in China located. Megalithic tombs in the country are also known as kofun (see Ishibutai-kofun ). In a narrower sense, Kofun refers to the sometimes extensive grave complexes from the second half of the 3rd century to the first half of the 7th century . They gave their name to the Kofun period (approx. 300 - 538 ), part of the Yamato period . The latter have their origin in the burial mounds of China. Tombs similar to the Japanese kofun can also be found in Korea .

Until the end of March 2001 161.560 Kofun sites were discovered throughout Japan, of which 16,577 in the prefecture of Hyogo , 13,112 in the Chiba Prefecture , 13,094 in Tottori Prefecture , 11,311 in Fukuoka prefecture and 11,310 in the Kyoto Prefecture .

A group of 49 Kofun sites in Osaka Prefecture, including the Daisenryō Kofun heard was in 2019 by the UNESCO as Kofun group of Mozu-Furuichi to World Heritage declared.

construction

Noge Ōtsuka cofuntumulus in Tokyo from the 5th century

The burial mounds ( tumuli ) have had different shapes in the course of history: In addition to the original, circular kofun ( 円 墳 empun ), seen from above, there are rectangular ( 前方 後方 墳 zempō kōhōfun , literally: "square in front, square in back") and square Forms ( 方 墳 hōfun ). The most famous kofun have a keyhole-like shape ( 前方 後 円 墳 zempō kōenfun , literally: "square in front, circular in back").

These "keyhole diggers" are a purely Japanese development. The often painted burial chamber was in the round part, which typically protrudes above the front, wedge-shaped part facing south or west. Depending on their size, the upwardly tapering burial mounds have meter-wide steps along contour lines that give the Kofun different levels. Smaller, one-tier and two-tier tumuli are attributed to local and regional dignitaries, while a three-tier tomb is assumed to be an imperial tomb. The largest kofun, that of Emperor Nintoku , was built with seven steps.

Ceramics, called Haniwa , were arranged in rows along the heels and the edges of the uppermost flat above the grave to give strength to the earth-filled grave, to mark the ceremonial areas in the grave chamber and on the grave, as well as to protect the grave from bad ones To protect spirits. Some Kofun also have a surrounding moat, which, in addition to the protective effect, also symbolizes the separation of the world of the living from the world of the dead. The moat can also be interpreted as a sign of how important irrigation systems were for the Kofun culture, whose economic development and social structure were based on the wet field rice cultivation . What all Kofun have in common is a coating with thousands and thousands of smaller stones that support the shape of the burial mound and isolate the entire tumulus from other spirits.

Many of the Kofun were natural hills that were shaped into the desired shape, using the removed earth material for elevation. The size of the Kofun ranges from a few meters to over 700 m in length. The tombs of emperors Ōjin and Nintoku are believed to be in the largest kofun . In the late Kofun period, such burial chambers - originally reserved for the ruling house - were also built for other important people.

Kofun are differentiated according to whether the entrance to the stone burial chamber was dug from above into an existing mound ( 竪穴 式 , tateana-shiki ) and then filled in again, or was constructed on the side when the burial mound was filled up ( 横 穴 式 , yokoana-shiki ).

The kofun of the emperors have not all been researched, as they are not regarded as cultural monuments in Japan, but are subject to the Imperial Court Office as private graves . Small-scale examinations are only carried out during restoration work. The only exception is the Goshikizuka-kofun in Tarumi-ku , Kobe , whose burial chamber presumably did not receive the body of Emperor Chūai due to succession disputes .

function

In addition to the dignified storage of the mortal remains of an influential regional leader or the emperor, the keyhole-shaped imperial graves also represented a central stage in the succession plan: while representatives of all important family associations formed a trellis on the wedge of the grave for the coffin procession of the deceased, the burial ceremony took place made in the circle of priests as well as previous and future officials of the empire on the flattening of the round part of the tomb. As part of the funeral, the redefinition of the offices including the Tennō succession took place here. With this clearly defined decision-making process, the necessary presence of all important groups in the country and the sacred external framework, an effective succession plan could be ensured.

development

Ishibutai-Kofun in Asuka , the presumed burial place of Soga no Umako

The oldest kofun, built on top of hills, are found in the Kinai area in the south of the Yamato basin. These date to the second half of the third century.

During the construction of the kofun, a wooden coffin was placed deep in a pit dug for this purpose, which was covered with large stones and earth. The summit of the Kofun was decorated with Haniwa figures. The characteristic grave goods of this period that have been found are bronze mirrors ( 銅鏡 , dōkyō ), collars made of sickle-shaped jewels ( magatama ), bronze swords and bracelets.

From the beginning of the 5th century, the volume of the kofun became increasingly important. They were built on terraces and surrounded by moats. Attached small mounds ( 陪 塚 baichō or baizuka ) containing grave goods were built. Mainly weapons and armor made of iron and bronze were found in them.

The end of this period is marked by a sharp increase in the number of kofun with a simultaneous reduction in their size. Community kofun occurred that were used by the population. Grave goods became more common and more numerous.

Daisenryō Kofun

The Daisenryō Kofun ( 大仙 陵 古墳 ), also Daisen Kofun ( 大仙 古墳 or 大 山 古墳 ), in which Emperor Nintoku (r. 313 - 399 ) is buried, is located near Sakai in Osaka Prefecture ( 34 ° 33 ′ 50 ″  N , 135 ° 29 ′ 15 ″  E ).

It is one of the largest graves in the world, as the entire ensemble with the boundary (one wide and two narrow moats, separated from each other by wooded strips of earth) covers 320,000 m². The hill itself is 725 meters long and 305 meters wide. The round part consists of three extensive platforms. According to the archaeologist Umehara Sueji , around a thousand men were needed for four years just for the earthworks. The site contains a large number of Haniwa on the burial mound and around the elevation : Within the inner trench, 17,775 specimens were counted, the visible upper part of which is on average 33 centimeters high and shows a variety of subjects.

It has never been excavated, but the collapse of the main part in 1872 brought the burial chamber to light. It contains a stone sarcophagus with a volume of 9.5 m³ as well as grave goods, especially armor made of gilded bronze, iron and bronze weapons and a Persian glass vase.

The tomb is surrounded by a dozen other, smaller graves. One of them, excavated in 1912 , contained numerous mirrors, pearls and various jewelry, including a magatama made of jade with an extraordinary length of 8 cm.

Other Kofun (selection)

Kansai

  • Hishiage-Kofun ( ヒシアゲ古墳 , grave of Iwanohime no mikoto) Konabe-Kofun ( コナベ古墳 / 小奈辺古墳 ) and Uwanabe-Kofun ( ウワナベ古墳 / 宇和奈辺古墳 ) (v. L. N. R., Supra) of the Sakitatenami-Kofungruppe ( 佐紀盾列古墳 群 , Sakitatenami-kofungun )
    Nara Prefecture :
    • The Ishibutai-Kofun ( 石 舞台 古墳 , 34 ° 28 ′ 0.4 ″  N , 135 ° 49 ′ 34.1 ″  E ), excavated in 1933 , dates from around the 7th century and is located in the National Historic Park of Ishibutai near Asuka between numerous temples and remains of other important historical structures. It is characterized by an imposing side entrance made of large stones, but because of the erosion caused by the temporary flooding of the surrounding rice fields, the burial chamber is open. The weight of the largest stone blocks that make up the southern part of the ceiling is 75-77 tons. It is believed to be the tomb of Soga no Umako , as remains of his residence have been found in the immediate vicinity.
    • Recently a kofun has been found near Shijun in Nara , which was also flooded by the water from neighboring rice fields.
  • Osaka Prefecture :
    • In Habikino , also in Osaka Prefecture, lies the keyhole-shaped kofun of Emperor Ojin , the Ōjinryō ( 応 神 陵 ). He was the father of Emperor Nintoku. The dimensions almost reach those of Daisenryō-Kofun; the kofun was not excavated.
    • The large tumulus in Zempokoen shape in Shikinzan ( 資金山 ) near Osaka, which was excavated in 1947, contained significant grave goods: a full armor, beads Magatama and mirrors. It is dated to around the 4th or 5th century. The burial chamber consists of a long tiled corridor bordered by walls made of irregular stones and covered with huge flat panels.
    • The Imashirozuka Kofun in the Takatsuki City area is the largest in the Yodogawa area. It was excavated in 2004.
  • Mie Prefecture :
    • The Ishiyama ( 石山 , literally stone mountain ) tomb, also a keyhole-shaped tomb, is notable for its three rows of haniwa , and contained three wooden coffins cut from a tree and wrapped in clay. It also contained rich grave goods and is dated to the 4th century.
  • Okayama Prefecture :
    • The tomb of Senzoku ( 千 足 ) is unique because of its shape, which is known as the shape of a tategaishiki ( scallop shell ). It is famous for its rich grave goods and the decoration of lines and curves ( chokkomon ) engraved on its walls .
  • Hyogo Prefecture :
    • In the Tarumi district of Kobe is the 194 m long and 18 m high, keyhole-shaped Goshikizuka-kofun ( 五色 塚 ) with 2200 Haniwa.
  • Wakayama Prefecture

Kyushu

  • Fukuoka Prefecture :
    • The Ōzuka ( 王 塚 ) tumulus was opened in 1934. Despite the loss of its rectangular part, it remains an important monument, especially because of its grave chamber decorated with engravings and paintings. The best-known representation is that of two horsemen in the passage between the antechamber and the burial chamber. It also contained one of the richest grave goods from Kyushu.
    • The kofun of Sekijinyama ( 石人 山 ) in keyhole shape got its name from a "stone man" ( 石人 , sekijin ) in armor at the entrance of the round tumulus. The ensemble, originally surrounded by trenches, was particularly badly damaged. After it was excavated ( 1938 ), the grave goods disappeared, only the masterfully crafted sarcophagus is still there. The roof- shaped cover ( yanegata ) decorated with chokkomon (with similarities to Senzoku in Kansai) is particularly impressive. However, it is so massive that once the cover has been put on, access to the sarcophagus could only be through a door in one of the narrow sides of the tomb.
    • The small grave of Takehara ( 竹 原 ) was discovered in 1956 . It is known for its paintings that decorate the walls at the back of the burial chamber and is considered one of the most original decorated tombs ( sōshoku kofun ). Times have transformed the originally keyhole-shaped grave into a round tumulus. The other walls of the burial chamber and the antechamber are also painted.
    • The Iwatoyama ( 岩 戸 山 ) tumulus in the city of Yame is one of the largest in Kyūshū . A description of him can already be found in the Nihonshoki and in the Chikugo kuni fudoki compiled in the 8th century . However, its fame has resulted in its being looted over time.
  • Kumamoto Prefecture :
    • The Kofun of Funayama ( 船山 ), also a zempōkoen , is located in an ensemble of tombs ( kofungun ) near the Kikuchi River . It was excavated as early as 1873 , and a “house-shaped” sarcophagus ( iegata ) and a straight sword ( tsurugi , Eta Funayama sword ) were found, the particularly interesting inscription of which dates from 438 and is evidence of the existence of Chinese writing in Japan at that time represents.
    • The round tumulus of Idera ( 井 寺 ) was partially excavated at the end of the Edo period . He is known for his engraved and painted tiles (especially the chokkomon ). The burial chamber carved into the volcanic rock of Mount Aso was excavated in 1902 . The grave was damaged in World War II.
  • Miyazaki Prefecture :
    • The Saitobaru kofun group ( 西 都 原 古墳 群 ) is a large terrace on which 330 tumuli of various shapes and sizes have been found, including 32 large kofun in the shape of a key. The sites have been excavated since 1912 and are known for the high quality of the construction and the regional grave goods.

Kantō and Chūbu

  • The Shōrinzan Tumulus ( 松林 山 ) near Iwata in Shizuoka Prefecture , also in keyhole shape , was excavated in 1931. Important funerary objects were found (three beautiful mirrors, pearls, magatama , armor, and more) that are apparently the oldest in the Iwata area.
  • The region of Yoshimi Hyakketsu ( 吉 見 百穴 ) in Saitama Prefecture is particularly rich in old graves and especially in tumuli in round shape (Zempōkoen), such as the Sakitama Kofu group . They testify to a society that was divided into numerous small domains.

literature

  • Hildja Yukino Wittig: Megalithic graves in Yamato from three periods of the Kofun period: with an excursus about the Fujinoki Kofun (between 560 and 590) . With a partial translation of the Sanryōshi : (1808) / by Gamō Kunpei. Microfiche output. Hänsel-Hohenhausen, Egelsbach 1994, ISBN 3-8267-2070-9

Web links

Commons : Kofun  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ ６ 参考資料 （４） 兵 庫 県 の 遺跡 ・ 遺物 数 の 全国 的 ​​な 位置 ( Eng . "6. Reference material (4): Archaeological sites in Hyōgo prefecture and number of remains at national locations)". (PDF; 8 kB) Hyogo Prefecture Education Committee, accessed June 27, 2009 (Japanese).
  2. ↑ Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan. UNESCO World Heritage Center, accessed July 11, 2019 .
This version was added to the list of articles worth reading on January 12, 2006 .