The artifacts were thought to have been reburied in the Daisen Kofun burial mound after they were first discovered in 1872, but instead they've been in a private collection for 150 years.

Until recently, access to the Daisen Kofun burial mound — the apparent tomb of Japanese Emperor Nintoku — had been severely limited. But back in March, representatives from 17 academic history and archaeology organizations were invited to visit the keyhole-shaped mound.

Escorted by officials from the Imperial Household Agency, it was the first time since the end of the Second World War that scholars had been allowed to visit the sacred site. They did not enter the tomb itself, nor did they bring back any artifacts. Still, it marked a monumental occasion, as the burial mound had been effectively inaccess

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