⑧Teppoyama Kofun

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　With a length of approximately 108 meters, the keyhole-shaped Teppoyama Kofun is the third largest among the Sakitama Kofun Cluster. The excavated earthenware and haniwa sculptures show that it was built during the latter half of the sixth century.

　The name Teppo, or gun, comes from the fact that the mound was used as a shooting range by the Oshi domain around the 19th century at the end of the Edo period. Bullets used in that period were unearthed during excavation.

Excavated gun bullets

　An entrance to a horizontal stone chamber is situated at the east side of the round part of the mound. The stones of the chamber are processed hornblende andesite rocks which were formed when the now dormant Mt. Haruna in Gunma Prefecture erupted. Inside, two jars and six “hajiki” or unglazed, elevated plates, were found and are believed to be offerings to those buried within.

Entrance to the horizontal stone chamber

Sueki pot positioned at the entrance of the stone chamber

Elevated, unglazed “hajiki” plates found at the bottom on the inner moat

To map