Introduction
Very few historical records about the Kofun period (from the middle of the 3rd century to the 6th or 7th century) remain. Therefore, archeologists search for the past within artifacts and remains. Kofun, Japanese ancient burial mounds, are a type of these remains. Also, Kofun are really great!
I love Kofun’s shape
──’cause I can understand the position of who is buried there from the shape?!
Kofun reminds most Japanese people of the “Zenpo-Kouen-Fun（前方後円墳）” which looks like a keyhole. However, only people in the highest position such as an overlord could construct it. Other types of Kofun tell us their owners recognized someone as their king.
Kuraokayama-Kofun-Gun(鞍岡山古墳群) is a cluster of round Kofun burial mounds（円墳）. Although the owners of the Kofuns controlled the west side of the Kizu River, they possibly obeyed another king.
I love Kofun’s burial items
──’cause They tell us things about the past?!
Items which are buried with the dead are called burial items(副葬品). By comparing one Kofun’s burial items to another Kofun’s items, they become hints to understand history. For instance, the social position of the dead, the technology or the way of thinking at that time, and where people lived in the area at that time, too.
Photo 1：Armor found at the Kuraokayama No.3 tumulus site（鞍岡山３号墳）has both features of the early Kofun period and the middle Kofun period. This armor holds a big hint to understand the change in method of manufacturing armor in the Kofun period.
I love Kofun’s Haniwa
──’cause they indicate ancient prayers for the soul of the deceased?!
Haniwa, a figure made of clay, was placed on the top of the Kofun or a small mound nearby. Ancient people placed them there, and they represented the image of an ideal world of the dead.
Photo 2, Illustration：A Haniwa found at the Kuraokayama No. 3 mound site（鞍岡山３号墳）has a drawing of a ship which the soul of dead would get on.