noun
Refers to a hole or tunnel that goes sideways into a surface, such as a cliff or hillside. Not a vertical pit.
山の斜面に横穴がいくつも見える。
Several caves are visible on the mountainside.
この横穴は防空壕として使われていた。
This tunnel was used as an air-raid shelter.
noun
tunnel tomb; horizontal stone chamber (Kofun period)
Archaeological term for a burial chamber dug horizontally into a mound or hillside, typical of the late Kofun period.
この古墳の横穴式石室から多くの副葬品が出土した。
Many grave goods were excavated from the horizontal stone chamber of this kofun.
Compound of 横 (yoko, 'side, horizontal') and 穴 (ana, 'hole'). The reading おうけつ is the on'yomi but is not used in modern Japanese.