The Shura Shura, or Japanese Y-shaped sledge
Two shuras were found in the moat surrounding the the Mitsuzuka
tumulus's burial mounds, in Fujiidera, Osaka prefecture in 1978. They
seem to date back to the 5th century.
Until wooden or metal objects excavated sites are chemically treated,
you cannot say that they have been permanently preserved.
Usually, wooden objects excavated from sites in Japan soggy because of
they have absorbed a large proportion of water. If they are left
untreated, the cracks and distortion that occur as they dry out will
damage or even destroy the objects.
The two shura that were excavated were also in fragile condition.
They have been chemically treated for over 14 years, using advanced
preservation techniques, so that they could finally be exhibited in
this museum.
The big shura measures 8.8m long and weight 3.2 tons. It is made from
a red oak fork. A lever, unearthed at the same time as the shura, is
6.2m long and 0.15m in diameter. It is also made of red oak. The
smaller shura is the standard length for a shura, or 2.8m long. You
can see that a lot of bark remained on the shura and you will note
that it is also made from an oak fork.
In the Kofun period, shura were used to transport heavy loads. Thanks
to modern technology, the two shuras buried underground for about 1500
years have finally been excavated and preserved, so that we can study
them today.
