noun
A raised mound or heap of earth, stones, or similar material. Often refers to a small natural or artificial rise rather than a large hill.
庭の隅に土の塚ができていた。
A mound of earth had formed in the corner of the garden.
noun
burial mound; tomb; tumulus; gravesite
Used for a mound associated with burial or memorializing the dead. It can refer to an old tumulus, a grave mound, or a small memorial grave site.
村の外れに古い塚が残っている。
An old burial mound remains on the edge of the village.
この塚は、昔の武士の墓だと伝えられている。
This mound is said to be the tomb of an old warrior.
noun
standing stone; stone signpost; roadside stone statue
A less common use for a stone marker or roadside stone object, such as a standing stone, signpost, or small stone statue. Modern readers may understand this mainly from older descriptions or local historical contexts.
古い地誌では、道端の石像を塚と呼ぶことがある。
In old local records, a roadside stone statue is sometimes called a tsuka.
Specifically an ancient burial mound, often archaeological; 塚 is broader and can mean any mound or a smaller grave mound.
The ordinary word for a grave or tomb; 塚 emphasizes a raised mound or memorial mound.
Means a hill or rise in the landscape; 塚 is usually smaller and often artificial or associated with burial or markers.
The historical derivation is not specified. The kanji 塚 is conventionally associated with an earthen mound or grave mound.