Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

上円下方墳 (jouenkahoufun) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

上じょう円えん下か方ほう墳ふん

じょ

う

え

ん

か

ほ

う

ふ

ん

Meanings

1

burial mound with a square base and a round top

Technical term in Japanese archaeology; refers to a specific type of ancient tomb (kofun) shape.

上じょう円えん下か方ほう墳ふんは、古こ墳ふん時じ代だいの終おわりごろに現あらわれた墓

はか

の

形かたち

です

。

The jōen kahōfun is a tomb shape that appeared toward the end of the Kofun period.

Kanji

上above, up
円circle, yen, round
下below, down, descend
方direction, person, alternative
墳tomb, mound

Related words

前ぜん方ぽう後こう円えん墳ふん
前方後円墳 is the more common keyhole-shaped tomb with a square front and round back, while 上円下方墳 has a square base and a round top, resembling a different architectural style.

Etymology

Compound of 上円 (jōen, 'round top') + 下方 (kahō, 'square bottom') + 墳 (fun, 'tumulus, burial mound'). The term describes the shape of this type of ancient tomb.