The Tsunozuka Kofun is located in the southern portion of the of the
Kitakami River on the
alluvial fan of the
Isawa River. The tomb does not appear in any historical records and the name or rank of the person buried within is unknown. From the style of the mound and
grave goods uncovered within, archaeologists have dated the
kofun to the late 5th or early 6th century AD. The
kofun was excavated in 1935 and 1945, during which time a number of
haniwa in the shapes of animals, people and buildings were discovered. However, it was not until 1947 that archaeologists confirmed that the structure was that of a . The site received protection as an Iwate Prefectural Historic Site in 1957. During further excavations held from 1974-1975, more
haniwa and the
fukiishi stones which originally covered the tomb were uncovered. The site received further protection as a National Historic Site in 1985. • Total length: 43–45 meters • Circular Portion: 2-tier, 28 meter diameter x 4 meter height • Keyway Portion: 10 meter width in the north, tapering out to 15 meters in the south, 1.5 meter height The site is about 15 minutes by car from
JR East Tōhoku Main Line Mizusawa-Esashi Station.The artifacts uncovered in excavations are preserved at the Isawa Local History Museum. ==See also==