tombs | Ōsaka | travel ◢
In Sakai city of Osaka prefecture, amidst the buildings you will find a large area of trees that looks like a park. This is the mausoleum thought to be that of Emperor Nintoku, and is the largest tomb in Japan. It is considered to be a cultural treasure in Japan, and along with the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty in China and the Great Pyramid in Egypt, it is one of the three largest tombs in the world. The mound that rises majestically among the greenery is 486m in height, tallest among the three. The keyhole-like shape, a distinct symbol of ancient tombs in Japan, is a combination of other round and square shapes of Japanese tombs, and is so large that it can basically only be made out from the air. The large hill of earth is surrounded by a moat, almost as if to keep intruders out, and gives the grounds a very mysterious and somewhat desolate atmosphere of seclusion. Although it is said to be the tomb of Emperor Nintoku, the 16th emperor of Japan (about 5th century AD), the exact identity of the person buried here is actually still a mystery. However, the shape (not to mention size) of the tomb indicates that it is someone who had attained massive amounts of fame and power. Additionally, extremely elegant metalworks including armor have been found inside the tomb. These offerings, which were often buried along with the dead, were so advanced for the time, that it is thought only someone of an Emperor's status could have owned them. Nearly 15,000 clay figures have also been found near 19 smaller tombs that surround the main one, as well as various other items.
