Overview

These artifacts were found in the Benzai Tumulus No. 1, which belongs to the Maki Burial Mounds in Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture. This 5-meter tall, 20-meter long, round tumulus has atop its mound a shrine dedicated to the Buddhist deity Benzaiten (Skt., Saravati). The east side of a stone chamber was excavated by chance in 1955 (Shôwa 30) and artifacts were removed from within. The chamber was of relatively large size at 5.5 meters in length, 1.8 meters in width, and 2 meters in height. Because it was not an official archeological excavation, the exact position of these artifacts when excavated is unclear. They include a mirror with eight ornamental bells, gilt bronze bells, bridle bits, a harness pendant, horse trappings, weapons such as swords, spears, and arrowheads, and sueki ("underglazed earthenware") stem dishes and long-necked jars. Four sets of bridle bits are particularly valuable. The tumulus was constructed around the late 6th or early 7th century, i.e., in the late Kofun period (ca. 250-ca. 600).