Kofun (A.D.3C~late 6th Century)

In China,Goko-Jyurokkoku Period (316~439), many nations from the North battled each other. Because of this warring period, they had less descriptions about Wa (Japan) of 4th century. We can know how Wa jin (Japanese) lived by their Kofun. What is Kofun? It's the grave of the king called Ohkimi or powerful clans called Gozoku . They left paintings and precious things in their graves.

Kofun Daisen Kofun, Osaka

The largest Kofun in Japan is Daisen Kofun in Sakai city, Osaka-Fu, Kinki district. It is said to be the emperor Nintoku's. Around Daisen Kofun, there are some larger ones. They are called 'the group of Nakamozu Kofun.'

 The shapes of Kofun


Zenpoh-Koh-En-Fun; Daisen Kofun etc.,
En-Pun ; popular
Hoh-Fun

The styles of Shisekibo people made in northern Kyusyu at Yayoi Period were from South Korea. But Zenpoh-Koh-En-Fun were Japan's original. The largest Zenpoh-Koh-En-Fun are in Kinki district. Large ones that have the same shapes are Tochigi, Gunma, Okayama, Fukuoka and Miyazaki. Now we think leaders (Gozoku) in each districts might obey Ohkimi in Kinki district.
With wooden shovels of which tops were covered with iron, people made large Kofunfor their leaders.

Brave goods

Iron-sword from Inariyama Kofun,Saitama (Kanto District) late 5C ~early 6C These Kanji can be read like this; " The child named Kasahayo. His son,named Omi of Owake.We have worked as the chief of soldiers.When the Okimi Wakatakeru's government was at Shikino-miya, I joined his government. I had this excellent sword made and wrote about our achievements."

The name 'Okimi Wakatakeru' was also written on the sword from Edayama Kofun in Kumamoto (Kyusyu district).The discovery of this sword from Inariyama Kofun in 1978, made it possible to guess who 'Okimi Wakatakeru' was. He was thought to have reigned 'Wa' from Kanto to Kyusyu then. Now we believe 'Okimi' must be the 'Emperor Yuryaku,' who sent the envoy to 'So 'in 478. He might be 'Wa-Oh Bu ' in a Chinese history book,'So-Syo .'

Haniwa(soldier,dancing people) Magatama, bronze-shoe, bronze-mirror

Takehara Kofun / a dragon(upper),a man with a horse,two funs,wave crests

In ancient China,people believed animal figures represented four gods, one for each direction.East;Seiryu(Blue dragon) West;Byakko(White tiger) South;Suzaku(Bird) North;Genbu(an imaginary animal shaped turtle united with a snake.) In Takehara,Genbu,Seiryu and Suzaku were painted.

How did Buddhism come?
Nihon-Syoki says...
13th year of Kinmei-Tenno's Age (A.D.552)
One winter day in October,Seimei-oh in Kudara sent us an golden image of Buddha and its cover called pataka and some sutra.He wrote,'This is the superior reason we have ever learned.It is not easy to learn nor to understand...' Tenno was very pleased and asked other retainers one by one. 'The face of Buddha lookes graceful and sublime.Should I respect it? ' Soga-no-Iname said, 'People in our neighbor countries believe Buddhism. We should respect it,too.' Mononobe-no-Muraji and Nakatomi-no-Kamako said, ' We already have our own 180 gods around us. We used to pray them each seasons. If we would pray it, other gods in our country should get angry.' Tenno said, ' I will leave this with Soga-no-Iname and let him pray. ' ...

Other historical books say Buddhism came in Japan in 538.
The oledest historical books in Japan are ' Kojiki (A.D.710) ' and ' Nihon-Syoki (A.D.720) . ' ' Nihon-Syoki ' was said to be written by Toneri Shinoh and Oh-no-Yasumaro. They wrote the history from Gods' period to the Jitoh-Tenno's. It is written in Chinese.

Kanji, architecture, hard earthenware called Sue-ki, Confucism and Buddhism were from Korea by Torai-jin in Kofun Period.