Miidani Kofun Cluster

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The Miidani Kofun Cluster is a group of burial mounds from Japan’s Kofun period. It is located in the Yokachō Koyama area of Yabu city, Hyōgo Prefecture, in the Kansai region.

The site includes five mounds, four of which (Nos. 2–5) were designated a National Historic Site in 1992. No. 1 is outside the designation. The mounds are small circular mounds (enpun) that have been worn down by erosion, exposing the horizontal stone burial chambers. No. 2 is about 12 by 14 meters and slightly oval; No. 3 is about 13.5 by 9.5 meters and more oval and had fukiishi (covering stones). No. 4 and No. 5 are circular, with diameters of about 7 meters and 6 meters.

Archaeological finds from 1983 include 103 items such as Sue ware pottery, iron rings, iron horse harnesses, and iron swords. A notable discovery from No. 2 is an iron sword with a copper-inlay inscription dating to 608 AD, tied to the time of Ono no Imoko’s embassy to Sui China.

Dating suggests No. 2 was built in the late 6th to early 7th century; Nos. 3 and 4 in the mid-7th century; and No. 5 in the latter half of the 7th century.

Today the site is a public park, about 13 minutes by car from Yōka Station on the JR West San’in Main Line.