Punk rocking Japanese Ancient Tomb - (Ide)Futagoyama Kofun - (井出)二子山古墳
A dark and dreary day, but that didn't detract from being in the presence of an impressive 5th Century tumulus in Takasaki, Gunma (群馬県高崎市).
This kofun is nicely restored and we are treated to the somewhat rare occurence of some information in English (and Korean), along with a wealth of Japanese info also. Nice to see the powers that be in Takasaki making some effort to promote this very under-appreciated component of Japan's history.
It's across the road from the magnificent Hodota Hachimanzuka Kofun (保渡田八幡塚古墳) -
More info :
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Q: What am I watching here ?
A: You are watching footage of a kofun/古墳 - kofun are tombs in Japan that were created during the Kofun Period (roughly between the 3rd and 7th Century AD) - this era was preceded by the Jomon and Yayoi periods, and followed by Asuka, Nara and so on. These tombs were built as burial chambers for people from Japanese imperial families and other people of higher status in society during those days. The most well-known and generally largest tombs are found around Kyoto and Osaka, but they are found all over Kansai, Kanto, Tohoku etc., and even in other parts of Japan such as Shikoku and Kyushu. Figures vary greatly, but some sources state there are over 160000 thousand of these kofun in Japan. At times you will see haniwa on and around kofun - haniwa are terracotta figures which were made in various shapes, including being formed as people and animals. Have a read of the the Wikipedia article for more information :
I also have a Facebook page where I post these videos. Feel free to contact me via that page if you want to connect regarding anything about kofun, particularly their promotion to tourists to Japan. Ideally I'd like to build a kofun appreciation community of sorts, but that is just a dream right now -
This isn't Pokemon Go, but it is a Japanese Ancient Tomb ! (Yawata) Futagoyama Kofun - 八幡二子塚古墳
6th Century tomb from Takasaki, Gunma (群馬県高崎市).
This was one of the first kofun I filmed, and I'm not really proud of the quality of the filming. I was even too respectful of the little fence around it to not go and climb on the kofun and have a closer look, when I normally would. It was an almost eerily silent neighbourhood around the kofun too, and it gave me the feeling I felt I stood out too much and was being watched by people peeking out from behind their curtains (although I'm sure they weren't).
However, I decided to upload the footage as giving any kofun the chance for exposure is a good thing. It's more than the government seems to have done as there wasn't even an information board provided in the location for the kofun ! So here it is ...
More info (in Japanese) :
*********************************************
Q: What am I watching here ?
A: You are watching footage of a kofun/古墳 - kofun are tombs in Japan that were created during the Kofun Period (roughly between the 3rd and 7th Century AD) - this era was preceded by the Jomon and Yayoi periods, and followed by Asuka, Nara and so on. These tombs were built as burial chambers for people from Japanese imperial families and other people of higher status in society during those days. The most well-known and generally largest tombs are found around Kyoto and Osaka, but they are found all over Kansai, Kanto, Tohoku and even in other parts of Japan such as Shikoku and Kyushu. Figures vary greatly, but some sources state there are over 160000 thousand of these kofun in Japan. At times you will see haniwa on and around kofun - haniwa are terracotta figures which were made in various shapes, including being formed as people and animals. Have a read of the the Wikipedia article for more information :
I also have a Facebook page where I post these videos. Feel free to contact me via that page if you want to connect regarding anything about kofun, particularly their promotion to tourists to Japan. Ideally I'd like to build a kofun appreciation community of sorts, but that is just a dream right now -