---
title: Oni-no-Iwaya Tumulus
author: Jan van der Crabben
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21782/oni-no-iwaya-tumulus/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 2026-05-12
---

# Oni-no-Iwaya Tumulus

_Authored by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/)_

## Image File

[![Oni-no-Iwaya Tumulus](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21782.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21782.jpg)

## Image Caption

Oni-no-Iwaya Tumulus at the Saitobaru [Burial](https://www.worldhistory.org/burial/) Mounds, photograph by Jan van der Crabben, Saitobaru [Kofun](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kofun/) Cluster, Miyazaki Prefecture, [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/), September 2025.

With a height of 7.3 meters (24 ft) and a diameter of 37 meters (121 ft), the Oni-no-Iwaya Tumulus is an imposing structure on the Saitobaru landscape. Built during the [Kofun Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kofun_Period/) (6th century CE), the mound contains one stone chamber inside which iron nails have been discovered during excavations, possibly as part of a coffin. Iron horse-riding equipment and [pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/pottery/) shards were also found within, and it is believed to have been the [grave](https://www.worldhistory.org/burial/) of a local ruler.

The name "Oni-no-Iwaya" comes from a tale in Japanese folklore in which an ogre loved the princess Konohana Sakuya. Upon her [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/), the ogre built the stone chamber for his lost love in one night.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Jan is the Founder & Chairman of World History Encyclopedia and is the organisation's Director of Design & Technology. He holds an MA War Studies from King's College, and he has worked in the field of history-related digital media since 2006.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/janvdc)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Crabben, J. v. d. (2026, May 12). Oni-no-Iwaya Tumulus. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21782/oni-no-iwaya-tumulus/>
### Chicago
Crabben, Jan van der. "Oni-no-Iwaya Tumulus." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 12, 2026. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21782/oni-no-iwaya-tumulus/>.
### MLA
Crabben, Jan van der. "Oni-no-Iwaya Tumulus." *World History Encyclopedia*, 12 May 2026, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21782/oni-no-iwaya-tumulus/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 12 May 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.