Koboyama Kofun - burial mound in Matsumoto

The Koboyama Kofun

layout of a Kofun

In ancient Japan, in the 3rd-7th centuries, many important Japanese warlords made burial mounds to  show their power. They used dirt to make them, and they put the body and precious things in it as well.

One of these historical tombs is in Matsumoto, Nagano. It is called Koboyama Kofun. It is the oldest kofun in east Japan. It was built in the 3rd century, but it is unknown who built it.

The Koboyama Kofun was rediscovered in 1974. At that time, local people mistook it as just a hill. During the WW2, some machine guns had been set up on the hill. Afterward, the Matsusho-Gakuen corporation bought the hill to build a school.When they surveyed the ground, they found that it was a special kofun for Japan.

The Koboyama Kofun is about 60m high, 66m long.The shape is like two squares together (see image). There was a traditional round mirror, three iron swords, 738 glass balls, an iron ax and a jewel ball.

We don't know who was buried here.Today, people come here to see 2000 cherry trees in blossom every spring. Most people do no realize what they are climbing!

Koboyama Kofun cherry blossoms

Yuto