Kofun - Topography, Development

The burial-mounds characteristic of early historic Japan, which have given their name to the archaeological period AD c.300–710. The most spectacular, keyhole-shaped and moated like that of the Emperor Suinin in the Nara Basin, measure over 400 m/1300 ft in length. Large hollow clay haniwa models of heavily armed warriors were often placed on top or inside.

They gave their name to the Kofun era (c AD 250–538), a part of the Yamato period.

Topography

The kofun tumuli have taken various shapes through history. there are also circular kofun (empun), rectangular ones (zempō-kōhō), and square ones (hōfun). The biggest kofun are believed to be the tombs of emperors like Emperor Ōjin and Emperor Nintoku. Kofun are also classified according to whether the entrance to the stone burial chamber is vertical (tate-ana) or horizontal (yoko-ana).

By the late Kofun period, the distinctive burial chambers, originally used by the ruling elite, also were built for commoners.

Development

The oldest Japanese kofun is said to be Hokenoyama Kofun located in Sakurai, Nara, which dates to later 3rd century. In Makimuku district of Sakurai, earlier keyhole kofun (Hashihaka Kofun, Shibuya Mukaiyama Kofun) were built around early 4th century. The trend of keyhole kofun first spread from Yamato to Kawachi (where gigantic kofun as Daisen Kofun of Emperor Nintoku are built), and then throughout the country (except for the Tōhoku region) in 5th century. Later that century, keyhole kofun were also built in Gaya confederacy of Korea.

The spreading of keyhole kofun is generally assumed to be an evidence of Yamato court's expansion in this age. Whether keyhole kofun in Gaya was for local chieftains influenced by Japanese culture or for Japanese aristocrat is also argued.

Keyhole kofun disappeared later in 6th century, probably because of the drastic reformation taken place in Yamato court, where Nihon Shoki records the introduction of Buddhism at this age.