Inheritance of sanctuaries–Reuse of Kofuns in Tokyo

Abstract

“Kofuns” are Japanese ancient tombs that were built from the mid-third to seventh centuries. Some of these Kofuns have survived into the present urban tissue despite being reused and showing changes in their form and their meaning. This study investigates panoramically the modes of reuse of ancient tumuli in today’s modern Tokyo by considering the characteristic phenomenon of “inheritance of sanctuaries.” As the base of consideration, I present the historical background of Kofun and its distribution in the Tokyo area. Then I clarify the mode of reuse of Kofuns from seven points as follows: “Reuse as cemeteries,” “Reuse as precincts of temples and shrines,” “Reuse as Fujizuka,” “Reuse as mounds in the garden,” “Reuse as signposts,” “Reuse of soil,” and “Reuse of stone.” By presenting some characteristic cases, such as Matsuchi-yama Shoden, Shiba Maruyama Kofun, and Tomizuka Kofun at Waseda, this study reveals the inheritance of topological meaning as sanctuaries of Kofuns in later periods.