#nintoku

[heavensdoorways]

Daisen-Kofun (5th century)

The tomb of Emperor Nintoku, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan,

Emperor Nintoku, also known as Ohosazaki no Sumeramikoto was the 16th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.

The most prevalent and recognizable shape among kofuns is the keyhole design. This design resembles, quite literally, a keyhole when viewed from above. The keyhole-shaped kofuns consist of a circular or rectangular portion at one end and a long, narrow, and elevated section that tapers towards the other end.

These kofuns are known as the “zenpo koen fun.” The square part of the keyhole shape (zenpo-bu) serves as the head section. In contrast, the entombed person occupies the round part (koen-bu).

The hori (or moat) is an evacuated area of earth used to make the mound forming a moat.

The grandeur and size of keyhole-shaped kofuns can be awe-inspiring. Among them, we find some truly colossal examples, such as the renowned Daisen Kofun in Osaka, extending over 400 meters (1,300 feet).

These colossal monuments stand as testaments to the power and prestige of the individuals they were built to honor.

[mamaterasu]

seven - thousand dotted red leaves fall from on high.   each one cascades down unto the paths below,  forked right and left and all around,  spiralling into visions of an autumnal waterfall wherein branches are as white as bleached bone.  long gone are the blinding tundras of yesteryear.  now the wood reigns.  boughs sprout out forth,  ancient and unyielding,  tasting the amber stained skies for rain only to find the breath of sunlight blow over their bodies. 

at last,  she has come. 

below the shrine,  at the foot of the hill,  that is where she stood.  silently,  calmly,  unintrusive.  magnificent,  almost omnipotent light had now fashioned itself through a physical body,  the body of the white - wolf.   claws sprawl outward from her paws,  her dusty - eyed gaze was endless and benevolent,  and from her back did a billion colours bloom and burn.  around  amaterasu - ōmikami the forest itself appeared to bow before her presence,  whispering prayers over and over again.  looking up,  something akin to a smile crosses beast - like lips.

 ...   i remember your face

                           QUIET HOUSES    / @nintoku​.

[moryen]

Ancient tumulus clusters are shown in Osaka Prefecture, including the expansive burial mound of Emperor Nintoku known as Daisen Kofun (top right).(x)

The term kofun means ‘old [ko] tomb [fun]’, and refers to the so-called mounded tombs, or burial mounds, built in Japan from 250 AD to the end of the 7th century, when burial was replaced by cremation with the advent of Buddhism. Some estimates suggest that up to 100,000 such burial mounds were constructed across Japan, from Kyushu to northern Honshu, during these centuries. The largest of these tombs were truly monumental. The great tomb of Daisenyama, considered to be the tomb of the 5th century Emperor Nintoku, is 486 meters long and its front section is roughly 307 meters wide, making it one of the three largest tombs in the world along with the tomb of Qin Shi Huang in China, and the pyramid of King Khufu in Egypt (according to the Japan National Tourism Organization).  The smallest burial mounds measures just a few metres across. The burials in the chamber were often accompanied by grave goods. The size of the mound and the richness of the goods tell us that these were the burials of the social elite of the time

The shape of the mound varies. Some kofun are square (hofun), some circular (empun) and other have a keyhole shape (zempo-koen-fun) with a round mound joined to a square flared section. The mounds were sometimes covered with special cladding stones (fukiishi); either for decoration to prevent the mound from collapsing. Larger keyhole mounds would often have clay figures (haniwa) set up on terraces along the sides of the mound and on top of the mound. This mound type first appeared in the Yamato region in the south-eastern part of the Nara basin.

[amasugiru]

Kofun Period.... Stickers?

I’ve really struggled trying to find a way to marry my academic interests and my artwork. While I have a graphic novel in the works, I really want to do something educational as well. Ages ago, I taught English in Nara prefecture, where I first learned and visited kofun- as well as the early capital. The amount of information in English at the time was abysmal. That has changed in recent years; however, most of the literature is academic and highly specialized. I want to create fun, accessible resources for everyone. I’d greatly appreciate the feedback. I want to do a set for all three periods of Japanese prehistory.  The Kofun period is of particular meaning to me, as I went on to receive a government scholarship to study decorated tombs in northern Kyushu. The period is incredibly complex and diverse, and the study of it is just as complex and fraught with issues, as all approaches to the past are. I would love to share more personal stories as well. 

[shibemuses-a]

@nintoku​ - s.c

She has spent so much time praying in her own home, she wonders if that was why nobody even answered her calls. The girl was so lonely. It had been this way for such a long time. A positive meant she had the freedom to travel, so that was what Robin did.

The forest guided her to places sometimes, easily moving pathways to take her where-ever she wished or needed to be.

This time, it had placed her in a far deeper wood, closer to the mountains. When Robin arrived at the tori gates, she was filled with a sense of hope and serenity. Perhaps the gods would hear her better here...

Tossing whatever coins she had into the box, she followed the common ritual, clapping her hands together three times after ringing the bell. Closing her blues tight, she whispered into the mystic air.

“Please gods, give me a friend. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

[bondofflame]

I FOUND OUR WORLD'S KEYHOLE AND IT IS IN JAPAN

KINGDOM HEARTS IS REAL