Archaeological culture · c. 250–538 CE
Kofun culture (early Yamato)
The Kofun period is named after the great keyhole-shaped burial mounds built for Japan's rulers from the mid-3rd century, such as Hashihaka and Daisenryō. They mark the rise of the Yamato kingship in the Kinai region, which came to dominate much of Japan.
Chinese histories record Yamato's contacts with China from the late 4th century, and Buddhism and Chinese writing came from Baekje in Korea near the end of the period.
See Kofun culture (early Yamato) on the map in 250
- On the map
- 250–538
How we know
Chinese histories such as the Book of Song mention the kings of Wa, but Japan's own chronicles were written only in the 8th century.
Sites
- Hashihaka Kofun mid-3rd to early 4th century CE (debated)
- Daisenryō Kofun mid-5th century CE