Hodota Hachimanzuka Kofun - 保渡田八幡塚古墳 - Japanese Ancient Tomb
If you only ever sit through one of my videos, this is the one I recommend you do so. Of the numerous kofun I've seen this one is my favourite. The restoration work is great, the inner chamber is open complete with sarcophagus (from the 6 min mark onwards) and the variety of haniwa (terracotta statues) is fantastic. I've visited here 3 times and will go again.
In Takasaki City, Gunma (群馬県高崎市). It's in a park with other kofun and a museum, known as Kamitsukeno Haniwa-no-Sato Kōen (上毛野はにわの里公園) .
Info (English) :
Japanese :
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Q: What am I watching here ?
A: You are watching footage of a kofun/古墳 - kofun are tombs in Japan that were created during the Kofun Period (roughly between the 3rd and 7th Century AD) - this era was preceded by the Jomon and Yayoi periods, and followed by Asuka, Nara and so on. These tombs were built as burial chambers for people from Japanese imperial families and other people of higher status in society during those days. The most well-known and generally largest tombs are found around Kyoto and Osaka, but they are found all over Kansai, Kanto, Tohoku etc., and even in other parts of Japan such as Shikoku and Kyushu. Figures vary greatly, but some sources state there are over 160000 thousand of these kofun in Japan. At times you will see haniwa on and around kofun - haniwa are terracotta figures which were made in various shapes, including being formed as people and animals.
Have a read of the the Wikipedia article for more information :
I also have a Facebook page where I post these videos. Feel free to contact me via that page if you want to connect regarding anything about kofun, particularly their promotion to tourists to Japan. Ideally I'd like to build a kofun appreciation community of sorts, but that is just a dream right now -
Punk rocking Japanese Ancient Tomb - (Ide)Futagoyama Kofun - (井出)二子山古墳
A dark and dreary day, but that didn't detract from being in the presence of an impressive 5th Century tumulus in Takasaki, Gunma (群馬県高崎市).
This kofun is nicely restored and we are treated to the somewhat rare occurence of some information in English (and Korean), along with a wealth of Japanese info also. Nice to see the powers that be in Takasaki making some effort to promote this very under-appreciated component of Japan's history.
It's across the road from the magnificent Hodota Hachimanzuka Kofun (保渡田八幡塚古墳) -
More info :
*********************************************
Q: What am I watching here ?
A: You are watching footage of a kofun/古墳 - kofun are tombs in Japan that were created during the Kofun Period (roughly between the 3rd and 7th Century AD) - this era was preceded by the Jomon and Yayoi periods, and followed by Asuka, Nara and so on. These tombs were built as burial chambers for people from Japanese imperial families and other people of higher status in society during those days. The most well-known and generally largest tombs are found around Kyoto and Osaka, but they are found all over Kansai, Kanto, Tohoku etc., and even in other parts of Japan such as Shikoku and Kyushu. Figures vary greatly, but some sources state there are over 160000 thousand of these kofun in Japan. At times you will see haniwa on and around kofun - haniwa are terracotta figures which were made in various shapes, including being formed as people and animals.
Have a read of the the Wikipedia article for more information :
I also have a Facebook page where I post these videos. Feel free to contact me via that page if you want to connect regarding anything about kofun, particularly their promotion to tourists to Japan. Ideally I'd like to build a kofun appreciation community of sorts, but that is just a dream right now -
Atagoyama Kofun - 愛宕山古墳 - Japanese Ancient Tomb
This one is from the 7th Century. Doesn't show a distinct shape from the outside as it's hidden within bushes (I drove past it a couple times before I finally found it). Exciting point here is that the sarcophagus remains, not too common to see one so it's pretty special.
Notice the insects inside, they are cave crickets (kamadouma 竈馬). I encountered these inside many of these tombs - it was a little unnerving when first going into a dark tomb and then 100's of them all start jumping around together in a mad frenzy.
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Q: What am I watching here ?
A: You are watching footage of a kofun/古墳 - kofun are tombs in Japan that were created during the Kofun Period (roughly between the 3rd and 7th Century AD) - this era was preceded by the Jomon and Yayoi periods, and followed by Asuka, Nara and so on. These tombs were built as burial chambers for people from Japanese imperial families and other people of higher status in society during those days. The most well-known and generally largest tombs are found around Kyoto and Osaka, but they are found all over Kansai, Kanto, Tohoku etc., and even in other parts of Japan such as Shikoku and Kyushu. Figures vary greatly, but some sources state there are over 160000 thousand of these kofun in Japan. At times you will see haniwa on and around kofun - haniwa are terracotta figures which were made in various shapes, including being formed as people and animals.
Have a read of the the Wikipedia article for more information :
I also have a Facebook page where I post these videos. Feel free to contact me via that page if you want to connect regarding anything about kofun, particularly their promotion to tourists to Japan. Ideally I'd like to build a kofun appreciation community of sorts, but that is just a dream right now -
小さな旅・JR高崎駅保渡田古墳群(Hotoda kofungun)
2017.09.22(金) 中之条の駅からハイキングを終え高崎に戻りました。
昨日と同じ群馬バス2番乗り場から保戸田古墳群に向かいました。
前方後円墳で有名な奈良の仁徳天皇陵は大き過ぎ、また周りは住宅ばかりで全体像が全く分かりません。
ここは周りは平地で建物は無く、綺麗に見渡せることから訪れてみました。
八幡塚古墳を中心に巡りました。バス時間の関係で「かみつけの里博物館」には入館しませんでした。
二日間の群馬の旅は終了です。