The Japanese Style Tombs at Youngsan-river Area

Abstract

Mahan was the main historical body of the ancient Youngsan-river area before it was incorporated into Baekje. The matter of the time when the last power of Mahan in the area drained by the Yeongsan-river was absorbed into Baekje is the major key to the understanding of the ancient culture of Yeongsan-river area. The traditional interpretation of the incorporation of Mahan as the reign of King Geunchogo is in the middle years of the fourth century. But the Key-hole shaped tombs of Japanese style were constructed in the Yeongsan-river region from the latter years of the fifth century to the early years of the sixth century. It raised a question in various arguments about who the person in it was. The Baekje Kingdom did not absorb Mahan into its territory at one time but by three stages. Part of the Mahan people in the absorbed area sought refuge in southern Mahan or in Japan. The Yeongsan-river area was the last territory of Mahan to maintain its independent power from Baekje until the early years of the sixth century. The person of Japanese style tombs at Yeongsan-river area are Japanese who are refugee from Japan, and they have no connection with ‘Imnailbonbu’.