Tweet Date: 2/14/18
Article Date: 2/14/18
Article Publisher: Asahi
Article Link: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201802140003.html
Location: Shibushi City, Kagoshima Prefecture
Site Name: No. 3 Harada Chikashiki Yokoanabo (Harada underground tunnel-tomb)
Time Period: Kofun Period apx 1500 yrs ago
Object: Stone Coffin and Armor
Why is this interesting/important? Workers discovered a tunnel tomb dating back to the Kofun Period. Inside were the burial remains from what was likely, “a powerful leader in the local region who was directly connected with the Yamato imperial court.” A very well preserved “tanko” cuirass located inside the tomb as well as a sword and a number of other burial accessories. The level of preservation on the tanko is the main story here, but the discovery of the tomb and the individual inside can help researchers understand some of the power dynamics of the region. How the Imperial Court maintained influence and relationships with other regions is a significant field of study.