Academic Frontier Sub-project 3: “Other cultures within Japan”
1st Joint Research Meeting of 2008

Speakers　　 Kimura, Tetsuro　（Okushiri-to）

Segawa, Takuro（Hokkaido）

Yagi, Mitsunori　 （Iwate Prefecture）

Ito, Hiroyuki （Iwate Prefecture）

Kojima, Yoshitaka　（Ishikawa Prefecture）

Oguchi, Masashi　（Hosei University, Tokyo）

Date　　　　Sunday, 31 August  Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Location　　 Okushiri-to, Hokkaido

　　

 

? The first research meeting of Sub-project 3 was held from 31 August to 2 September in Okushiri-to, Hokkaido. One theory advocates Okushiri-to as a strong contender for the debated locality of “Watarinoshima” that features in ancient records. Okhotsk culture moving south from Sakhalin did not confine itself to its major stronghold of the Okhotsk coast, but also moved southwards towards Okushiri-to. Evidence of related excavated remains indicates this to be a unique location of great importance to research in the history of exchange in the northern territories. We seized the chance to investigate the remains on location, using them as the basis for the theme of our research meeting, which asked how we should interpret ancient Okushiri-to, and place it within the history of the northern territories as well as the history of exchange there. The first day was spent closely examining earthenware excavated on the island, and the second day consisted of alternate research presentations and discussion about the ancient culture of Okushiri-to. Results newly confirmed the distinctive features of Okushiri-to and the Oshima Peninsula region, and reached an important landmark for future understanding of the world of exchange in the northern territories. We aim to clearly explain the island’s place within the sphere of the northern territories at the roundup session next year. After one more survey of the remains on the island on the third day, the research meeting came to a close.

?Report by Oguchi, Masashi (Professor, Faculty of Letters, Hosei University)