Ishibutai Kofun, Japan’s largest exposed megalith, is the tomb of Soga no Umako. Its chamber uses around 30 granite boulders, with ceiling stones weighing about 60 and 77 tons; more than 2,000 tons came from roughly 2 miles away. A leading theory says the mound was stripped as punishment about 20 years after his death. 🏛️
Ishibutai Kofun: Japan's largest megalith, tomb of Soga no Umako
JapanArchitecture
Site mentioned
Key facts
- Largest exposed megalith in Japan
- Tomb of Soga no Umako, who helped establish Buddhism in Japan
- Chamber made of about 30 stacked granite boulders
- Two ceiling stones weigh approximately 60 and 77 tons
- Over 2,000 tons of rock total, quarried from a source about 2 miles away
- Built using 6th-7th century technology
- Leading theory holds that the covering mound was deliberately stripped as punishment after Umako's descendants were branded traitors about 20 years after his death
Sources
Asuka Village, Ishibutai Kofun - Must-See, Access, Hours & ...gltjp.com
Umako was buried in this tomb, This is one of the largest burial mounds with stone chambers in Japan, built at the end of the 6th century. It ...
Ishibutai Kofun - H.I.S.his-usa.com
Ishibutai is a stone structure from the Asuka Period, and is believed to be the tomb of Soga no Umako. It is 177 feet long, and is the largest known ...
The Ishibutai - Naraen.japantravel.com
Soga no Umako married his 3 daughters into the Imperial family and then used his power, armies and influence to put down all resistance and ...
Ishibutai Kofun Tumulus | Exploring the Footsteps of the ...asuka-japan-heritage.jp
Ishibutai Kofun Tumulus. This tumulus houses the mausoleum of Umako of the powerful Soga clan, under whose orders Zenshin-ni entered nunhood as a child.
Ishibutai kofun (tomb) Travel Guides (Nara Takaichi-gun ...japantravel.navitime.com
During the Asuka period, it is believed to be the tomb of Soga no Umako, a minister who supported Empress Suiko together with Prince Shotoku (Umayado no Ōji).
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