Tsukahara Burial Mounds

Japanese: 塚原古墳群 - つかわらこふんぐん

<br /> A group of ancient tombs in Jonan-machi, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. This group of ancient tombs was built at an altitude of about 30m on the Tsukahara Plateau, which is formed by the Hamado River and its tributaries, at the southern end of the Kumamoto Plain. 39 square moat tombs, 34 circular and small circular tombs, two keyhole-shaped tombs, 18 stone coffins, and one pit tomb were discovered on the southern and northern hills. The relatively large square moat tombs are concentrated in the south of the northern hill, while the smaller ones are concentrated in the north. Large circular and small circular tombs are scattered in the south and north of the northern hill, but on the southern hill, the large ones are concentrated mainly on the southern edge and the small ones on the northern edge. It is said that there were three keyhole-shaped tombs, but currently, the Biwazuka Tomb and Hanamizuka Tomb can be seen. As a result of the investigation, it was found that in this area, square moat graves and circular tombs coexisted in a burial system that lasted from the end of the Early to the latter half of the Late Kofun period. Furthermore, there are also keyhole-shaped tombs believed to be the tombs of chieftains, and the social status differences within the settlement are shown on the tombs, making this an important group of tombs, and it was designated a national historic site in 1976 (Showa 51). Related materials are on display at the Jonancho History and Folklore Museum. Take the Sanko Bus from the JR Kagoshima Main Line or Kumamoto Station Transportation Center to Tsukahara, and it is about a 5-minute walk.

Source: Kodansha National Historic Site Guide Information

Japanese:

熊本県熊本市城南町にある古墳群。熊本平野の南端、浜戸川と支流が形成する塚原台地の標高約30mの地点に営まれた古墳群。南と北の丘陵からは方形周溝墓39基、円墳・小円墳34基、前方後円墳2基、石棺18基、土坑墓1基が発見された。方形周溝墓は比較的大規模なものが北丘陵上の南に、小規模なものが北に集中。また円墳・小円墳中で大規模なものは、北丘陵の南・北部に点在しているが、南丘陵ではもっぱら南縁に大規模なものが、北縁に小規模なものが集中する。前方後円墳は3基が存在したと伝えられているが、現在は、琵琶塚(びわづか)古墳、花見塚古墳が見られる。調査の結果、この地域には古墳時代前期末から後期後半にわたる墓制が方形周溝墓、円墳がともに共存しながら展開していることが判明。さらに首長墓とされる前方後円墳も見られるなど、集落の内部における身分的な差が古墳群の上に示されていることから重要な古墳群とされ、1976年（昭和51）に国の史跡に指定された。城南町歴史民俗資料館に関係資料を展示。JR鹿児島本線ほか熊本駅の交通センターから産交バス「塚原」下車、徒歩約5分。

出典　講談社国指定史跡ガイドについて　情報

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