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site in Nara ]] , the tomb of Emperor Nintoku , Sakai 5th Century ]] are megalithic Tombs or Tumuli in Japan , constructed between early 3rd Century and early 7th Century . They gave their name to the Kofun Era (middle 3rd Century - late 6th Century ). Most of the Kofun have the Keyhole-shaped mount (), which was unique to the ancient Japan. TOPOGRAPHY The kofun tumuli have taken various shapes through history. The most common one is a keyhole shape, having one square end and one circular end; there are also circular kofun (), rectangular ones (''zempō-kōhō''), and square ones (). Orientation of kofun is not specified. For example, in the Saki Kofun group, all of circular parts are looking toward the north, but there is no such formation in the Yanagimoto kofun group. Haniwa , Terra Cotta figures were arrayed above and in the surroundings to delimit and protect the sacred area. Kofun range in size from several Meters to over 400m in length. The largest kofun is Daisen Kofun , which has been attributed to be the tomb of the Emperor Nintoku . The funeral chamber was located beneath the round part and consisted of a group of megaliths. In 1972 unlooted Takamatsuzuka Tomb was found in Asuka and some details were revealed. Inside the tightly assembled rocks, white Lime Cement plasters were pasted and drawn colored pictures depicting the court or constellations. Stone coffin was placed in the chamber and accessories, swords and bronze mirrors were laid inside and outside of the coffin. DEVELOPMENT , Asuka 7th century]] The oldest Japanese kofun is said to be Hokenoyama Kofun located in Sakurai, Nara , which dates to later 3rd century. In Makimuku district of Sakurai, earlier keyhole kofun (Hashihaka Kofun, Shibuya Mukaiyama Kofun) were built around early 4th century. The trend of keyhole kofun first spread from Yamato to Kawachi (where gigantic kofun as Daisen Kofun of Emperor Nintoku are built), and then throughout the country (except for the Tōhoku Region ) in 5th century. Later that century, keyhole kofun were also built in Gaya Confederacy in Southern part of Korean peninsula. The spreading of keyhole kofun is generally assumed to be an evidence of Yamato court's expansion in this age. However, some argues that it simply shows the spreading of culture based on progresses in distribution, and has little to do with political breakthrough. Whether keyhole kofun in Gaya was for local chieftains influenced by Japanese culture or for Japanese aristocrat is also argued. Some Korean scholars deny Japanese influences over Gaya, but most of archeologists recognize these keyhole-shaped kofun in Korea as the evidence of the cultural flow from Japan. Keyhole-shaped kofun were disappeared in late 6th century, probably because of the drastic reformation taken place in Yamato court, where '' Nihon Shoki '' records the introduction of Buddhism at this era. IDENTIFICATION OF THE BURIED PEOPLE REFERENCES
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