Inari-yama Mounded Tomb

(Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture)

【Emperor Yūryaku (雄略天皇)】is the 21st legendary Emperor of Japan in the 5th century. While the legendary emperors have no evidence that proves their existence, Emperor Yūryaku is the first emperor whose existence is confirmed archaeologically with an artifact.

In 1968, archeologists carried out an excavation of Inagiyama mounded tomb at Sakitama Kofun (megalithic tombs) cluster in Saitama Prefecture. A rusted sword was excavated along with other burial accessories. The findings turned out to be an astounding discovery when researches performed X-lay analysis. A gold-inlaid inscription of 115 Chinese characters was inlayed on the both side of the sword.

The inscription contains the year of its inscription imprinted, AD 471, and the name of the 21st legendary emperor, the Emperor Yūryaku. His name was recognized only in The Chronicle of Japan, Nihon-shyoki, written in 8th century that was 300 years later of his reign. The discovery of the sword, as the real time remaining from 5th century, proved the existence of the legendary emperor. Further more, it proved that his power was extended to this area, 380km away from his palace located in southern part of current Nara Prefecture. According to The Chronicle of Japan, the emperor was famous for his brutal character and conquered the eastern and southern Japan to extend emperor influence to entire Japan.

Inscription: “Inscribed in July, the year of Xinhai (AD 471), I am Owake. The first ancestor was Ohohiko. His son was Takarinosukune, his son was Teyokariwake, His son was Takahishiwake, his son was Tasakiwake, His son was Hatehi, His son was Kasahiyo and his son was Owake. For generations, as a chief sword-bearer, my family has served the kings down to the present time. When Great King Wakatakeru (Emperor Yuryaku) presented at the palace of Shiki, I helped the king govern the world. And I ordered this sword, forged 100 times, to be made as a record of my service.”

The inscription describes the name of a person who made this inscription and his family story. The way to describe who he is “son of someone, son of someone” and so on reminds me the Holy Bible.

“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham”

Ancient people might have a same sense whether in the East or the West, when you described who you are.

The sword is designated a national treasure of Japan. You can see the sword at the museum at the Sakitama Kofun Park in a suburb of Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture.

Saitama

National Treasure Sword Inscribed Name of Ancient Emperor