古墳 – 英語で説明するために – 英会話形式で学ぶ

Hey Key, have you ever visited a kofun before? I’ve been reading about them and they sound really interesting.

I’ve always been curious about Japan’s ancient history. The idea that these huge burial mounds, especially the keyhole-shaped ones, were built so long ago is amazing. I heard the Daisen Kofun is one of the biggest tombs in the world?

Wow, I didn’t know it was that big. So, what makes these kofun special besides their size?

That’s interesting. I’ve seen pictures of haniwa, but I didn’t know they had such a deep meaning. What else do they find in these tombs?

That makes sense. I also read that these kofun reflect the social hierarchy of that time. Is that true?

So, it’s kind of like a symbol of power. I can see why it’s such an important part of Japanese history. What’s it like to visit one?

That sounds amazing. I’d love to visit the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group. Are there any other kofun you recommend seeing?

That’s good to know. I think exploring these sites would really help me understand Japan’s ancient culture better.

It sounds like a perfect day trip. I’m definitely going to plan a visit. Thanks for all the info, Key. I feel like I’ve learned a lot about kofun today!

What is a Kofun?
Kofun are ancient burial mounds built in Japan between the 3rd and 7th centuries. These mounds were made for powerful rulers and elites of the time. The most famous kofun are keyhole-shaped, known as zenpo-koen-fun, but there are also round and square types. Kofun are important for understanding the early history of Japan because they reflect the social and political structures of that era.

Haniwa and Burial Goods
Around many kofun, clay figures called haniwa were placed. These figures were shaped like people, animals, and houses, and were used in rituals. Inside the kofun, many burial goods like weapons, mirrors, and jewelry were found. These items show the wealth and power of the buried person.

World Heritage Site
In 2019, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, which includes the famous Daisen Kofun in Osaka, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. This group of tombs represents the best examples of kofun in Japan and attracts many visitors interested in history and archaeology.

Hey Key, have you ever visited a kofun before? I’ve been reading about them and they sound really interesting.

ねえキー、今まで古墳に行ったことある？最近古墳について読んで、すごく興味がわいてきたんだ。

I’ve always been curious about Japan’s ancient history. The idea that these huge burial mounds, especially the keyhole-shaped ones, were built so long ago is amazing. I heard the Daisen Kofun is one of the biggest tombs in the world?

昔から日本の古代史に興味があってね。あんなに大きなお墓、特に鍵穴型のものが何千年も前に作られたっていうのはすごいよね。大仙古墳って、世界でも最大級のお墓って聞いたけど？

Wow, I didn’t know it was that big. So, what makes these kofun special besides their size?

すごい、そんなに大きいなんて知らなかったよ。それにしても、古墳って大きさ以外に何が特別なの？

That’s interesting. I’ve seen pictures of haniwa, but I didn’t know they had such a deep meaning. What else do they find in these tombs?

面白いね。埴輪の写真は見たことあるけど、そんなに深い意味があるとは知らなかったな。他にはどんなものが古墳から見つかるの？

That makes sense. I also read that these kofun reflect the social hierarchy of that time. Is that true?

なるほどね。それに古墳は当時の社会階層を反映しているって読んだんだけど、それも本当？

So, it’s kind of like a symbol of power. I can see why it’s such an important part of Japanese history. What’s it like to visit one?

つまり、権力の象徴ってことだよね。だからこそ、日本の歴史にとって重要なんだね。実際に古墳を訪れるとどんな感じ？

That sounds amazing. I’d love to visit the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group. Are there any other kofun you recommend seeing?

それはすごいね。百舌鳥・古市古墳群にはぜひ行ってみたいな。他におすすめの古墳はある？

That’s good to know. I think exploring these sites would really help me understand Japan’s ancient culture better.

それは良いことを聞いたよ。こういう場所を探索することで、日本の古代文化をもっとよく理解できそうだね。

It sounds like a perfect day trip. I’m definitely going to plan a visit. Thanks for all the info, Key. I feel like I’ve learned a lot about kofun today!

それはまさに完璧な日帰り旅行になりそうだね。ぜひ訪れる計画を立てるよ。色々教えてくれてありがとう、キー。今日は古墳についてすごく学べた気がするよ！

What is a Kofun?
Kofun are ancient burial mounds built in Japan between the 3rd and 7th centuries. These mounds were made for powerful rulers and elites of the time. The most famous kofun are keyhole-shaped, known as zenpo-koen-fun, but there are also round and square types. Kofun are important for understanding the early history of Japan because they reflect the social and political structures of that era.

古墳は、3世紀から7世紀にかけて日本で作られた古代の埋葬塚です。これらは、当時の強力な支配者やエリートのために造られました。最も有名な古墳は、鍵穴型の前方後円墳ですが、円形や方形の古墳もあります。古墳は、当時の社会構造や政治的な背景を理解するための重要な手がかりとなっています。

Haniwa and Burial Goods
Around many kofun, clay figures called haniwa were placed. These figures were shaped like people, animals, and houses, and were used in rituals. Inside the kofun, many burial goods like weapons, mirrors, and jewelry were found. These items show the wealth and power of the buried person.

多くの古墳の周りには、埴輪と呼ばれる素焼きの像が置かれていました。これらの像は、人や動物、家の形をしており、儀式に使われました。また、古墳の内部には武器や鏡、宝石などの副葬品が見つかっています。これらの品々は、埋葬された人の富や権力を示しています。

World Heritage Site
In 2019, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, which includes the famous Daisen Kofun in Osaka, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. This group of tombs represents the best examples of kofun in Japan and attracts many visitors interested in history and archaeology.

2019年、大阪にある有名な大仙古墳を含む百舌鳥・古市古墳群がユネスコの世界遺産に登録されました。この古墳群は、日本における古墳の代表例であり、歴史や考古学に興味を持つ多くの訪問者を引きつけています。

The Kofun Period in Japan
The Kofun period in Japan lasted from around the 3rd century to the 7th century. This era is named after the large burial mounds, or “kofun,” that were built during this time. These tombs were made for powerful leaders and symbolize the rise of a structured society with clear social ranks. The Kofun period marks the beginning of centralized power in Japan, where leaders could gather resources and labor to build these massive tombs.

日本における古墳時代
日本の古墳時代は、3世紀から7世紀頃まで続きました。この時代の名前は、当時建てられた大型の埋葬塚「古墳」に由来します。これらの墓は強力な指導者のために作られ、明確な社会階層が形成された社会の発展を象徴しています。古墳時代は、日本で権力が集約され、指導者が資源や労働力を集めて巨大な古墳を築くことができるようになった時代です。

Social Hierarchy and Kofun
During the Kofun period, Japan saw the development of a social hierarchy, with elites holding significant power. The size and style of a kofun showed the social rank of the person buried there. Keyhole-shaped kofun were often built for high-ranking individuals, like rulers and nobles, showing their importance and influence.

社会階層と古墳
古墳時代には、日本で明確な社会階層が発展し、エリート層が大きな権力を持つようになりました。古墳の大きさや形は、埋葬された人物の社会的地位を示していました。鍵穴型の古墳は、支配者や貴族など高位の人物のために建てられることが多く、彼らの重要性や影響力を示しています。

Influence from Neighboring Cultures
The Kofun period also saw contact with nearby cultures, such as China and Korea. Through these connections, Japan adopted new technologies, ideas, and religious beliefs, which helped shape the cultural and political structure of early Japan.

周辺文化からの影響
古墳時代には、中国や韓国などの周辺文化との交流もありました。これらの交流を通じて、日本は新しい技術や思想、宗教的信念を取り入れ、初期の日本の文化的・政治的な構造に影響を与えました。

What are Haniwa?
Haniwa are clay figures that were placed around kofun (ancient burial mounds) in Japan. These figures were used during the Kofun period (3rd to 7th centuries) and were made in various shapes, including humans, animals, and houses. Haniwa were usually placed on top of or around the kofun as part of burial rituals. They served a special role in honoring and protecting the person buried inside.

埴輪とは？
埴輪は、日本の古墳（古代の埋葬塚）の周りに置かれていた粘土でできた像です。これらの像は、3世紀から7世紀の古墳時代に使われており、人や動物、家の形などさまざまな形がありました。埴輪は、古墳の上や周囲に置かれ、埋葬儀式の一環として使用されました。埋葬された人を敬い、守る特別な役割を果たしていたのです。

Shapes and Meanings of Haniwa
Haniwa come in many shapes, each with its own meaning. Human-shaped haniwa represented the people or guardians of the time, while animal-shaped haniwa, like horses and birds, symbolized strength and companionship. House-shaped haniwa were believed to provide comfort to the deceased in the afterlife. These figures reflect the culture, beliefs, and daily life of ancient Japan.

埴輪の形と意味
埴輪にはさまざまな形があり、それぞれに意味が込められています。人の形をした埴輪は当時の人々や守護者を表し、馬や鳥などの動物の形をした埴輪は強さや仲間意識を象徴していました。また、家の形をした埴輪は、来世での安らぎを亡くなった人に提供するものと考えられていました。これらの埴輪は、古代日本の文化や信仰、日常生活を反映しています。

Importance of Haniwa Today
Haniwa are important artifacts for archaeologists and historians because they offer insights into ancient Japanese society. Through haniwa, we can learn about the customs, clothing, and values of the Kofun period. Today, many haniwa are displayed in museums and continue to fascinate people interested in Japan’s past.

現代における埴輪の重要性
埴輪は、考古学者や歴史学者にとって重要な遺物であり、古代日本の社会についての洞察を提供します。埴輪を通じて、古墳時代の習慣や服装、価値観を知ることができます。現在、多くの埴輪は博物館に展示されており、日本の歴史に興味を持つ人々を引きつけ続けています。

What are Burial Goods?
Burial goods are items placed inside tombs or burial mounds alongside the deceased. In the Kofun period (3rd to 7th centuries) in Japan, these items often included weapons, armor, mirrors, and jewelry. These goods were meant to accompany the deceased in the afterlife, providing them with protection, status, or comfort. The type and quality of the items reflected the social standing of the person buried in the tomb.

副葬品とは？
副葬品は、亡くなった人と共に墓や古墳に埋められる品々のことです。日本の古墳時代（3世紀から7世紀）には、これらの品として武器や鎧、鏡、宝石などがよく含まれていました。副葬品は、亡くなった人が来世で守られたり、地位や快適さが得られたりするために供えられたものでした。品物の種類や品質は、埋葬された人の社会的地位を反映していました。

Symbols of Power and Wealth
The burial goods found in kofun are seen as symbols of power and wealth. Only the most powerful individuals, such as rulers and elites, were buried with high-quality goods like iron weapons, bronze mirrors, and jade ornaments. These items showed the high status of the individual and helped assert their authority even in death. The variety and richness of these goods also give insights into Japan’s social hierarchy during the Kofun period.

権力と富の象徴
古墳から発見される副葬品は、権力と富の象徴と見なされています。鉄の武器や青銅の鏡、玉の装飾品など、高品質の品は支配者やエリートなどの最も権力のある人物のみが副葬品として埋められていました。これらの品物はその人の高い地位を示し、死後も権威を示す役割を果たしていました。また、副葬品の多様さと豊かさは、古墳時代の日本の社会階層についても洞察を与えてくれます。

Archaeological Importance
For archaeologists, burial goods are valuable artifacts that reveal important details about Japan’s ancient society. They provide information on trade, technology, and cultural values of the time. For example, finding mirrors or ornaments made with materials from other regions suggests that there were connections with other cultures. The study of these goods helps researchers understand the structure and beliefs of the Kofun period.

考古学的な重要性
考古学者にとって、副葬品は日本の古代社会についての重要な情報を提供する貴重な遺物です。これらの品々は、当時の貿易や技術、文化的価値観についての手がかりを与えます。例えば、他の地域の材料で作られた鏡や装飾品が見つかることは、他文化とのつながりを示唆しています。副葬品の研究は、古墳時代の社会構造や信仰を理解する手助けとなっています。