⚔️ Lost artifacts from Daisen kofun's 1872 opening have been rediscovered in an old collection, announced June 2025. X-ray CT and fluorescence revealed a gold-and-copper sheathed knife and iron armor with gold-covered copper exterior. Japan's 740-790 imperial tombs remain unexcavated.
New artifacts from 1872 opening of Daisen kofun identified after loss
Site mentioned
📍 Daisen Kofun
Key facts
- Japan has over 160,000 kofun tombs; 740-790 are imperial tombs, none of which have been fully excavated archaeologically due to Imperial Household Agency restrictions.
- Daisen in Osaka is maintained as the tomb of Emperor Nintoku; traditional dates place his reign 313-399 CE, while pottery and haniwa date the mound to the mid-5th century.
- Objects from an 1872 chamber opening (after part of the mound collapsed) were lost but identified in an old collection, announced in June 2025.
- The recovered items include a knife with an iron blade, a sheath decorated with copper covered in gold, and iron armor fragments with gold-covered copper exterior.
- Researchers from Kokugakuin University, Sakai City, and Nippon Steel Technology used X-ray CT scans and X-ray fluorescence analysis to examine the artifacts.
- Hashihaka kofun in Nara, proposed as Himiko's tomb, was dated by a 2011 study to 240-260 CE; a February 2026 report describes an earthen barrier found in its adjacent moat.
Sources
Tomb of Emperor Nintokujapan.travel
This is the site of Emperor Nintoku's tomb—one of the three largest tombs in the world, The tomb is accessible by train. are currently off-limits.
Emperor Nintokuen.wikipedia.org
Daisen Kofun (the largest tomb in Japan) in Sakai, Osaka, is considered to be his final resting place. The actual site of Nintoku's grave is not known.
Mozu Kofun Groupen.wikipedia.org
Daisenryo Kofun, 2.8 km in circumference and the largest kofun in Japan, is thought to be the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku.
First confirmed artifacts from Emperor Nintoku's 5th-century ...archaeologymag.com
The Daisen Kofun, located in Osaka Prefecture, is the country's largest ancient keyhole-shaped tumulus and a World Cultural Heritage site.
Emperor Nintoku's Tomb (Daisenryo Tomb) Tourist Guideosaka-info.jp
The World Heritage Site "Emperor Nintoku's Mausoleum (Daisenryo Kofun)" in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, is the largest keyhole-shaped burial mound in Japan ...
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