Futagoyama Kofun (Kasugai)

The kofun is orientated 30 degrees to the northwest, and is estimated to have been constructed in the middle of the 6th century. With a length of 96 meters and a height of 6 meters, it is the largest tumulus in the Mani Kofun group.

The tomb was burglarized in a large scale in the Meiji period. Per a 1935 excavation, a hollow with a diameter of 4-5 meters was found in the rear circular portion, which is where the burial chamber was probably located. In 1967, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force training aircraft crashed next to the kofun, causing considerable damage. During the restoration work, numerous haniwa were found, some in the forms of horses, people, waterfowl, etc., in addition to the more common cylindrical varieties. Penetration into the interior of the kofun was hampered by seepage of ground water, and subsequent work was suspended. In 1991, further excavations were conducted in conjunction with the construction of the surrounding Futagoyama Park, resulting in the discovery that the tomb had once been surrounded by a moat, and the discovery of more artifacts, including more haniwa and examples of Mino ware and Sue ware pottery. Fluorescent X-ray analysis revealed that this pottery had been fired at the Shinohara ancient kiln site eight kilometers to the north. A small museum has been built at the site to house these items.

The site is about 10 minutes on foot from Meitetsu Johoku Line Ajiyoshi Station.

• List of Historic Sites of Japan (Aichi)

Media related to Ajiyoshi Futagoyama Kofun at Wikimedia Commons

• Aichi Prefecture Cultural Properties
• Kasugai City official site