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Autum Special Exhibition: Friction and Interchange The Authority of the Ancient State and the Culture of Michinoku. September 30 to November24, 1997 |
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Autum Special Exhibition: Friction and Interchange The Authority of the Ancient State and the Culture of Michinoku. September 30 to November24, 1997 |
During the 7th and 8th centuries, the centralized power of ancient Yamato flourished and branched out to Michinoku, of what is now the Tohoku district of Northeastern Japan. A stronghold of this advance was Taga Castle in Miyagi Prefecture. The castle compound extended about 800 meters in all directions, and the buildings within were roofed with clay tiles.
In both Iwate and Akita Prefectures, castle compounds were enclosed with walls made of timber some 30 cm wide. These compounds were governmental footholds that were used to administer control over an indigenous people called the Emisi.
On the other hand, we've found out through the excavation of ancient grave-sites, that there was cooperation and exchange back then. The obsidian and tin that was found points out that there was exchange between Hokkaido and the Asian continent. And from excavated old coins, belt coppers and stone ornaments we know that there was a specific system of administration and cooperation.@In addition, from a type of sword that was common in Northeastern Japan called gWarabite Tou hwhich had a pommel with a scrolled shape in the form of a fern (bracken) shoot,we know of the existence of a culture distinctive to that region.
Through the civilization that existed in Northeastern Japan during the 7th and 8th centuries, what kind of society would we be able to see ?
