You’ve probably seen it on your map while wandering through the Izumi Settsu region—a strange, keyhole-shaped mound surrounded by torii gates and an eerie silence. It’s the Makino Kofun, or more accurately, the Makino Kurumazuka Kofun, and honestly, it’s a bit of a headache if you don’t know the specific "rules" the game plays by.
Most people stumble upon it as Naoe, try to parkour their way inside, and realize the entrance is literally a wall of solid rock. You can slash at it or throw kunai until you're blue in the face; it won't budge. That's because this isn't just a tomb. It’s a character-specific puzzle box designed to force you out of your stealthy comfort zone.
The Yasuke Requirement
If you are trying to crack this place open with Naoe, stop. You literally can't.
Ubisoft designed the Makino Kofun in AC Shadows to be a Yasuke-only affair. Why? Because the entrance and the internal puzzles rely on raw strength and the ability to lug around heavy, explosive red jars. Naoe might be a lethal shinobi, but she doesn't have the "heavy lifter" mechanics required to move the barricades or haul the literal barrels of gunpowder needed to blast through the limestone.
If you haven't unlocked Yasuke in the main story yet, just mark the spot on your map and keep moving. You’ll only frustrate yourself trying to find a "secret" back door that doesn't exist.
How to Actually Get Inside
Okay, so you've switched to the big guy. Head to the top of the stairs leading down to the tomb entrance (near the Bamboo Cutters Watchtower). You’ll see some red jars.
- Pick up a jar using Yasuke’s interaction button.
- Carry it down to the rubble blocking the doorway.
- Drop it (don't throw it yet, unless you want to blow yourself up).
- Back up. Like, way back.
- Shoot the jar with your teppo or bow.
Boom. The path is clear. Once you’re inside, the real fun—or annoyance—begins.
Navigating the Labyrinth of Izumi Settsu
The Makino Kurumazuka Kofun isn't just a straight line to a chest. It’s a claustrophobic maze of flooded tunnels and movable wooden blocks.
The first major hurdle is a room with two red jars and rubble blocking a path up a small staircase. You have to play a bit of "delivery man" here. You’ll need to place a jar at the rubble, clear it, and then realize there’s another wall behind it that needs a second jar.
The Crate Puzzle That Ruins Everything
Later on, you'll hit a room that looks like a storage unit gone wrong. There are two massive wooden blocks on tracks and a ledge that seems just out of reach.
Basically, you have to pull the first block all the way back into a specific gap in the floor tracks. Then, you slide the second block over to create a tiered staircase. It sounds simple, but the camera angles in these tight corridors can make it feel like you're trying to parallel park a bus in a hallway.
Expert Tip: Watch out for the water. There’s a section where you have to throw an explosive jar across a gap while standing in a flooded cave. If you drop the jar in the water, it’s a dud. You’ll have to backtrack to the previous room to grab a fresh one.
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What’s the Reward?
Is it worth the fifteen minutes of shoving crates around? Probably. The big prize at the end is the Blush of the Earth, a Legendary Bow for Yasuke.
This isn't just a stat stick. It has a specific perk that extends the duration of the Clear Mind skill by five seconds. For players who like using Yasuke’s ranged options, that extra time to line up shots while the world slows down is massive. You also get a Knowledge Point, which is the real currency for anyone trying to max out their skill trees before hitting the late-game provinces.
The Real History Behind the Mound
While Ubisoft takes plenty of liberties, the Makino Kurumazuka Kofun is a real place. In the real world, it’s located in Hirakata City, Osaka.
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Kofun are ancient burial mounds from the 3rd to 7th centuries, built for the elite of the Yamato dynasty. The "keyhole" shape you see on the game map is the zenpo-koen-fun style, which was reserved for the highest-ranking royals and local chieftains. By the time Yasuke and Naoe are running around in the 1580s, these mounds were already a thousand years old—basically ancient ruins even to the people of the Sengoku period.
Actionable Steps for Completion
If you're heading there now, here is your checklist:
- Switch to Yasuke: Don't even try it as Naoe.
- Check your ammo: You need at least 3-4 arrows or bullets to trigger the jars.
- Loot the side chests: There are two "hidden" chests in the flooded side-tunnels that contain high-end crafting materials. Don't just rush for the Legendary Bow.
- Mind the traps: The floor plates in the second chamber will trigger dart launchers. Keep your shield up or just sprint through if you have the health to tank it.
Once you grab the Blush of the Earth, look to the right of the chest. There are more wooden blocks. Move them to reveal the "shortcut" exit so you don't have to navigate the entire maze in reverse.