Fujinoki Tumulus
Fujinoki Kofun · Fujinoki Tomb · Horyuji Fujinoki
Kofun Late 500–600 CE (Yamato Kinmei)·Yamato Late Kofun with Silla–Sassanian imports·🇯🇵 Nara Prefecture, Ikoma District, Ikaruga Town, Horyuji Nishi 2-chome on plateau west of Horyu-ji (Yamato plain between Horyu-ji and Kintetsu line), Japan
About
About Fujinoki Tumulus
Japan's richest Late Kofun burial (c.560–590 CE Yūryaku–Kinmei period) at Fujinoki west of Horyu-ji — stone corridor tumulus 48 m long 9 m high 6th largest in Nara, excavated 1985–88, whose unlooted chamber yielded Japan's densest grave goods: 48 cm gilt bronze horse harness (kinkasa), cloisonné gilt-bronze crown with glass inlay, 6 Sassanian-style glass bowls, gold and satin shoes, Korean Silla mirrors and full lamellar armor — proving Kinmei court as Silk Road recipient. Fujinoki is the only unlooted Late Kofun tumulus proving Yamato–Silla–Sassanian triad.
Why it mattersOnly unlooted Late Kofun with horse trappings and Sassanian glass — Yamato–Silla–Silk Road connection proof.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why gilt horse harness 48 cm as large as actual horse body — parade vs burial?
Theories
- 01Kinmei–Silla alliance via horse trappings; Sassanian glass Persian embassy gifts through Central Asian Sogdians
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.560–590 CE Late Kofun (Yūryaku–Kinmei)
- Period
- Kofun Late 500–600 CE (Yamato Kinmei)
- Culture
- Yamato Late Kofun with Silla–Sassanian imports
- Builders
- Kinmei-period Yamato paramount and Silla–Silk Road consort
- Purpose
- Elite couple burial with horse harness and Sassanian crown indicating continental chiefly alliance
- Abandoned
- Sealed 589 CE; remained unlooted through Horyu-ji guardian period
- Rediscovered
- 1985 lucky escape — highway interchange survey expects empty, finds gilt bronze shining in corridor; 1988 chamber fully inventoried
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.568–590 CE
48 m corridor tumulus built and couple burial with horse gear and crown deposited
1985–88
Nara Pref. finds unlooted: horse harness, crown, 6 Sassanian glasses, lamellar armor
On the ground
Structures & features
34.6140° N · 135.7300° E · 60 m · 2 mapped features
Stone Corridor and Couple Burial Cists (Unlooted)
burial8×1.8 m stone corridor with two house-shaped cists containing couple with gold shoes and lamellae
34.6142° N · 135.7302° EGilt Horse Harness and Crown Deposit Area
artifact48 cm gilt bronze kinkasa horse harness and cloisonné crown with Sassanian glass in cist head position
34.6138° N · 135.7298° E