Chibusan Burial Mound チブサン古墳

Ancient symbols and colors

The burial chamber is built from large slabs of stone, measuring 2.3 meters in length, 0.9 meters in depth, and 1.45 meters in height. The slabs are painted with geometric patterns in vivid red, white, and black. The red color was applied using burnt soil rich in iron oxide, while clay and manganese were used for the white and black colors. Numerous triangular shapes immediately draw the eye; archaeologists believe these may have been intended to ward off evil spirits. Two white circles with black dots are painted in the center of the chamber wall. These shapes have been alternately explained as stars, mirrors, or breasts.

On the adjoining slab to the right is a humanlike figure with outstretched arms and what appears to be a crown on its head. Seven circles are painted in the space above it. Some believe these circles may represent the seven stars of the Big Dipper constellation.

Vestiges of history nearby

No bodies or artifacts are known to have been found in the chamber interior. A stone sculpture of a human figure measuring 150 centimeters high and 80 centimeters wide was discovered nearby, however. It was possibly placed there to protect the tomb. The original statue is held at the Tokyo National Museum, and a replica is displayed at the site of the mound.

The Chibusan Burial Mound is located less than 10 minutes to the west of Yamaga by car. The access road is narrow and large vehicles may not be able to easily reach the area. The outdoor site and an open-air re-creation of the inner chamber’s sarcophagus can be visited at any time. However, advance reservations are required to visit the interior, and the innermost chamber of the mound can only be viewed through a window.

At a separate site nearby, there is a series of 61 chambers dug into a section of rocky hillside. These have been dubbed the Nabeta Caves. They also date to the Kofun period and may have served as tombs. For more about burial mounds, the Kumamoto Prefectural Decorated Tumulus Museum in Yamaga offers detailed information and extensive exhibitions about this cultural practice.