Kofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Northeast Asia. Kofun were mainly constructed in the Japanese archipelago between the middle of the 3rd century to the early 7th century CE.
Daisen Kofun, the largest of all kofun, one of many tumuli in the Mozu kofungun, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture (5th century)
The stone chamber of Ishibutai Kofun, said to be the tomb of Soga no Umako, Asuka, Nara Prefecture (7th century)
Circular groove tomb at Seta Ruins (Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture)
Panoramic view of Hashinaka Kofun in Sakurai, Nara
The Kofun period is an era in the history of Japan from about 300 to 538 AD, following the Yayoi period. The Kofun and the subsequent Asuka periods are sometimes collectively called the Yamato period. This period is the earliest era of recorded history in Japan, but studies depend heavily on archaeology since the chronology of historical sources tends to be distorted. The word kofun is Japanese for the type of burial mound dating from this era.
Kofun-period jewelry (British Museum)
Iron helmet and armour with gilt bronze decoration, 5th century (Tokyo National Museum)
Gilded sword hilts, late Kofun period, 6th century
Reconstructed Kofun-era warehouse
