Shiroishi Inariyama Tomb

Shiroishi Inariyama Kofun is a 155m long keyhole-shaped tumulus built in the first half of the 5th century. Ground-penetrating radar surveys were conducted in 2019, revealing that the tumulus has a symmetrical shape and three tiers. In 1933, an excavation survey was carried out and two burial facilities were found in the rear mound. Swords, mirrors, and many stone replicas (miniature items made by polishing stone) were unearthed from these. In addition, figurative clay figures depicting armor and houses were excavated from the top of the mound above the burial facilities, and these excavated items are stored and exhibited at the Tokyo Kunitachi Museum. This tumulus was purposely built to abut a steep slope on the edge of a river terrace, to make the mound appear larger and to be visible from any direction. The slope of the mound is covered with stones (fukiishi) and lined with many haniwa clay figures, giving it a spectacular appearance. It shows that people at the time were very conscious of "showing the tumulus to others."