Otani Tomb - Otani Tomb

It is a cut-off keyhole-shaped mound with a total length of 70 meters and a diameter of 40 meters at the rear mound, built in Otani, Wakayama City, at the tip of the Semiyama Hills at the southern foot of the Izumi Mountains on the north bank of the Kinokawa River. A row of cylindrical haniwa clay figures surround the base of the mound. Excavations were carried out by the Kyoto University Archaeology Department in 1957 (Showa 32). A combined house-shaped stone coffin made of Aso tuff was found at the top of the mound, and a wealth of grave goods were found inside and outside the coffin, including iron weapons and armor such as a straight sword and short armor, agricultural tools, gilt bronze mirror panels, bridles, stirrups, apricot leaves, and cloud beads, as well as jewels and ornaments. Of particular note was the unearthing of horse helmets and armor. At the time of discovery, it was the only such find in East Asia. In recent years, a second example was discovered in the Shogunyama Tomb in Saitama Prefecture, and more than 10 examples have been discovered in Korea, including the Bokcheon-dong Tomb Group, Tamada Tomb Group, and the Magakatsu Tomb. The Mimuro Tomb of Goguryeo has a mural depicting horse armor and horse helmets, and is attracting attention as a historical document that tells of exchanges with the continent. The excavated remains suggest that the Otani Tomb was built in the late 5th century to early 6th century, and human bones of a person in his 20s to 30s were excavated. The buried person is said to be a military commander of the Ki clan who went to the Korean Peninsula as part of an expeditionary force. The tomb, which has unearthed a wealth of grave goods that show a strong immigrant character, was designated a national historic site on November 5, 1978, and has been undergoing conservation maintenance. The grave goods excavated from the main part of the tomb were designated as Important Cultural Properties on June 5, 1982.

[Yasuhiko Tomikami]

"Otani Kofun" edited by the Archaeology Laboratory of the Faculty of Letters, Kyoto University (1959, Wakayama City Board of Education)" ▽ "Wakayama Prefecture History Editorial Committee edited, "Wakayama Prefecture History Archaeological Materials" (1983)" ▽ "Wakayama City Museum edited, "Kii Otani Kofun" (1992, Wakayama City Board of Education)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

紀ノ川北岸の和泉(いずみ)山脈南麓の背見山(せみやま)丘陵先端、和歌山市大谷に築造された全長70メートル、後円部径40メートルの丘尾切断形の前方後円墳である。後円部墳丘裾には円筒埴輪列がめぐる。1957年（昭和32）に京都大学考古学研究室によって発掘調査が行われた。後円部墳頂からは、阿蘇凝灰岩製の組合式家形石棺が検出され、その内外からは直刀、短甲などの鉄製武器・武具類、農工具類、金銅製鏡板、轡、鐙、杏葉、雲珠などの馬具類、玉類、装飾品類など豊富な副葬品が納められていた。特筆すべきは馬冑・馬甲の出土である。発見当時は、東アジアでは唯一の発見例であった。近年、埼玉県将軍山古墳で2例目が発見され、韓国では福泉洞古墳群や玉田古墳群・馬甲塚など10例以上発見されている。高句麗の三室塚には、馬冑・馬甲を描いた壁画も存在し大陸との交流を物語る史料として注目される。大谷古墳の築造時期は出土遺物から5世紀後半～6世紀初頭で、20～30歳の人骨が出土し、被葬者は、朝鮮半島へ遠征軍として赴いた紀氏一族の武将といわれる。渡来系性格を色濃く有する豊富な副葬品を出土する当古墳は、1978年11月5日に国の史跡に指定され保存整備がなされた。主体部から出土した副葬品については1982年6月5日に重要文化財に一括指定されている。

［冨加見泰彦］

『京都大学文学部考古学研究室編『大谷古墳』（1959・和歌山市教育委員会）』▽『和歌山県史編さん委員会編『和歌山県史　考古資料』（1983）』▽『和歌山市立博物館編『紀伊大谷古墳』（1992・和歌山市教育委員会）』

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