Kojindani

• Japanese: 荒神谷 (Koujin dani)

Kôjindani is an archaeological site in Izumo city, Shimane prefecture, known for its bronze burials.

Some 358 bronze swords were found at Kôjindani, all buried together in four rows, lined up one after another, blades up, like cards in a card catalog. The precise meaning of this arrangement remains unclear, but they seem to have been buried in this fashion intentionally, likely for some ritual purpose. Numerous bronze halberd (hoko) blades were uncovered at the site as well.

References

• Gallery labels, "Izumo and Yamato," special exhibit, Tokyo National Museum, Feb 2020.