The Hashihaka kofun (箸墓古墳) is a megalithic tomb (kofun) located in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The Hashihaka kofun is considered to be the first large keyhole-shaped kofun constructed in Japan and is associated with the emergence of the Yamato Kingship.[1]
The Imperial Household Agency designates the Hashihaka kofun as the tomb of Princess Yamato Totohi Momoso, the daughter of the legendary Emperor Kōrei. Researchers in 2013 conducted the first-ever on-site survey of the Hashihaka kofun after being granted access by the Imperial Household Agency.[2] The actual burial site is unknown, but the Imperial Household Agency has designated it as the tomb of Oichi no Haka, the seventh Kōrei princess, Princess Yamato Totohi Momoso. Also, since the research of Shinya Kasai, there is a theory that it may be the tomb of Himiko, the queen of Yamatai (Yamataikoku).[3][4] The moat around the site has been designated as a historic site by the government,[5] Part of the pond has been selected as one of the 100 best reservoirs as "Chopenaka Great Pond.[6]
The name Hashihaka translates as "chopstick grave" and refers to a mythical love affair between Princess Yamato Totohi Momoso and the kami of sacred Mount Miwa, which ended with the princess stabbing herself to death with a chopstick.[7][8]