Nakatsuka Kofun

The Nakatsuka Kofun is one of a group of seven kofun located in the Wakibukuro neighborhood of central Wakasa, west of the tracks of the JR West Obama Line railway and near a hill called (Zenbuyama, 膳部山). Together with the Jōnozuka Kofun and the Nakatsuka Kofun, it was known to local legend as the tomb of one of the "Kings of Wakasa". The Nakatsuka Kofun is in relatively poor preservation, as much has been destroyed over the centuries by agricultural activity and as a source of soil. The tumulus has a two-tier structure with fukiishi, orientated north-south, with the circular portion on the northern end. The total length is 72 meters and the circular portion has a diameter of 46 meters height of 6 meters. Some fragments of cylindrical haniwa have been found in the vicinity; however, the structure of the tumulus has never been properly excavated by archaeologists and the inner structure is unknown; however, a ground-penetrating radar survey in 2008 indicated the presence of a passage grave similar to that of the Jōnozuka Kofun.

The tumulus dates from the late 5th century to early 6th century. The name of the person interred is unknown; however from the name of the nearby hill (Zenbuyama, 膳部山), it mostly likely corresponds to the grave of a head of the Kashiwade clan (膳氏), who are recorded in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki as having served as Kuni no miyatsuko of Wakasa Province since the time of the legendary Emperor Kōgen.

• List of Historic Sites of Japan (Fukui)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nakatsuka Kofun (Wakasa).

• Obama city home page (in Japanese)
• Fukui Prefectural home page (in Japanese)