Excavated Artifacts

This set of “stone replicas”, including axes, knives, hoes, and other artifacts, are soapstone replacements of the normally iron utensils and representative ritual implements at the last stage of the Early Kofun Period. These articles were dedicated to the dead buried in the tumulus. Other artifacts discovered from this tumulus include jasper and bronze bracelets, covered box, and koto-bridge-shaped stones. The case-knives, including the leather cases, are faithful replicas of the originals and demonstrate artistic workmanship.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.