日本考古学協会

Fiscal year 2022 was a year in which Japanese archaeology began new research activities, even as the COVID-19 pandemic had not yet been fully contained.
The Japanese Archaeological Association was able to hold its General Meeting at Waseda University and its Autumn Meeting at Kyushu University in 2022, thanks to the efforts and cooperation of the respective executive committees. Both were held in a hybrid format, combining face- to-face and online meetings, and many research presentations and exchanges of opinions took place.
This document is designed to present the research results of Japanese archaeology published in 2022, organized by period, region and field; to showcase current achievements in Japanese archaeology, and to share potential future research pathways.

1. The Paleolithic Period

First half of the late Paleolithic period
The ‘Archaeological Journal’¹ featured an article on the first half of the late Paleolithic period titled "When did modern humans arrive in the Japanese archipelago?". Furthermore, a stone tool group from the early Late Paleolithic Age from the Kōsakayama Site² in Nagano Prefecture attracted attention. The ‘Human Ecology of Paleolithic Society’ focused on a wide range of stone material use and estimates the beginning of the Late Paleolithic Age based on the wide range of obsidian acquisition routes. In addition, 14C dating of existing historical materials is also being attempted.

Second half of the late Paleolithic period
Various research projects were carried out on this period. The age of the buried forest at the Tomizawa Site ³ in Sendai was measured and compared with other sites. Analysis of obsidian sources and stone tool manufacturing techniques were conducted on the stone tool groups excavated from the Shibukawa II Site⁴ and the Yūdachi Site⁵ in Nagano Prefecture. An attempt was made to understand the stone blade stone tools from a "functional-morphological" perspective, and their relationship to environmental changes was discussed in detail. The microblade tool group was examined, including its connection to Northeast Asia. Other publications include "The Pirika Site⁶, an Ice Age Stone Tool Workshop".

Paleolithic - Jomon Transitional Period
"Prehistoric Archaeological Essays: Stone Tools and Prehistoric Culture" ⁷ was published. Topics discussed range from "Northern Microblade Tool Groups", "Honnoki-type Pointed Tool", and "Mikoshiba-type Stone Axe". Materials excavated from the second survey of Fukui Cave in Nagasaki Prefecture were reported. Kurishima Yoshiaki and Yoneda Minoru reported the results of dating carbonized material attached to pottery from the Incipient to Early Jomon Period excavated from Miyanomae Site ⁸ in Gifu Prefecture. The consistency with other materials will be examined in the future.

Palaeoenvironment, Stone Materials, and Interdisciplinary Research
"History of Environmental Adaptation among Paleolithic Hunter-Gatherers" ⁹ was published. Along with examining the chronology and habitat transitions of the Late Paleolithic Period, attempts are being made to reconstruct the paleoenvironment through pollen analysis and other methods.
An international symposium was held at Tohoku University where a global perspective was taken to hold discussions on the latest research results in genetics, archaeology, and paleoanthropology, as well as potential future research directions. In connection with the special exhibition at Iwajuku Museum, "The Research Achievements of Kato Minoru, Pioneer in Research on the Iwajuku Period in the Tōhoku Region"¹⁰ a symposium titled "Tōhoku Shale and he Northern Kantō Region" was held. In addition to evaluating the research achievements of Minoru Kato, the distribution and origin of Tōhoku Shale were examined in conjunction with an understanding of the stone tool groups in the Northern Kantō Region.
The Japanese Society of Paleolithic Archaeology held a symposium titled "Environmental Changes and Human Activities in Southwest Japan at the End of the Pleistocene"¹¹. A variety of topics were discussed, including the results of pollen analysis in the region, typo- chronology, analysis of stone tools, sea level change, and the impact of eruptions. In addition to the symposium, analysis of Gero stone in Gifu Prefecture and analysis of the obsidian source of the Shirataki-type microblade stone tools ¹² in Honshū were also conducted, and stone acquisition and consumption strategies were also mentioned. In relation to analytical methods, it was pointed out that caution is required when analyzing heated stone tools, and methods for classifying obsidian from each source in the Wada-Takayama group ¹³were also discussed.

Human Migration
International Symposium "Beringia: Human Diffusion from Eurasia to America" ¹⁴ centered on the ‘Out of Eurasia’ Project¹⁵. Human migrations from Eurasia to the Americas and other topics were discussed. Archaeology Quarterly published a special issue on "The Early History of Oceanic Expansion”. A special issue on "islands and hominin adaptation" in WORLD ARCHAEOLOGY examined the frequency and direction of migrations in the Tsushima Strait. A symposium on the influx of humans into the Japanese archipelago was held in Ina City, Nagano Prefecture, titled "Verification: The Road to Sapiens in the Japanese Archipelago”. Voyaging experiments, anthropological studies, and the character and positioning of stone tool assemblages from the earliest stages were discussed, including the Hokkaidō route, the Tsushima route, and the Okinawa route. Comparative research with aspects of Russia was also conducted. Based on the results of the re-excavation of the Kakuniyama site¹⁶ in Yamagata Prefecture, it was explained that a group of people with the ‘Yubetsu’ technique ‘Sakkotsu’ type ¹⁷ migrated southward from Hokkaidō to Honshū.

2. The Jomon Period

Jomon research appears to be oriented toward learning about the results of various related sciences and pursuing study on the inner workings of Jomon culture.
In Jomon research this year, the situation of environmental change and adaptation, and the transitional period to the Yayoi period were frequently discussed.

Environmental Adaptation
In Environmental Change and Adaptation, “Adaptation to the Environment and Resource Use in the Jomon Period” ¹⁸ , multidisciplinary and multifaceted studies were conducted on the themes of “Environment and Resources”, “Archaeological Sites and Local Communities”, “Tool Production and Utilization Technology”, and “Groups and Society”. In “Jomon Kaishin [Jomon Holocene glacial retreat]: Sea and Land Changes and People's Adaptation” ¹⁹ , sea-level changes in the Kantō region were empirically reconstructed and the transformation of the Jomon lifestyle in adaptation to changes in the natural environment was discussed, pointing out that the situation in the Bōsō Peninsula during the first half of the Jomon sea-level change and the use of marine resources in the early Jomon period is somewhat different from conventional understanding. The paper examines the actual conditions of the Jomon sea-level rise and shell mound distribution based on shell middens in the Bōsō Peninsula. The paper also discussed the background of the rapid decline in shell mound formation in the Tokyo Bay area from the late Jomon based on changes in sea level and tidal flat stability during the latter half of the Jomon period, and the possibility that the change in habitation in the late middle Jomon period in the inland Chūbu region was oriented toward broad environmental change and access to water.
Several books have been published on the transition to the Yayoi period. “The Late Jomon Period in Western Japan: Pottery Pattern Areas and Sites”²⁰ discusses the conditions of the Late Jomon period in western Japan. It examines the transition from the Jomon to the Yayoi period through a variety of means such as utilizing a macro-scale earthenware chronology, the formation and development of the incised band pottery, and the state of the Yayoi period. In “Northeast Asia during the Period of Acceptance of Rice Cultivation from the Viewpoint of Pottery Production Techniques”²¹ examined the beginning of the Bronze Age in the southern Korean Peninsula, the change from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age in the Liaodong Peninsula, and the beginning of the Yayoi Period in Kyūshū, and the establishment of agricultural society through analysis of pottery making techniques, forms and vessel types. In “Issues on the Beginning of Grain Cultivation in Eastern Japan”²², the origins and subsequent trends of agriculture in eastern Japan were discussed. In addition, a special feature titled “The End of the Jomon Period” was published in Archaeology Quarterly, summarizing the current state of research on the transition from the Jomon to the Yayoi period.
In addition to the above-mentioned environmental change and adaptation and the transition to the Yayoi period, “A Study of Human Remains from Iyai I: Society and Funerary System of the Early Jomon” ²³ synthesized both anthropological and archaeological findings.

Scientific Analysis
In absolute dating, oxygen isotope ratio dendrochronology was used to determine the age of Late Jomon Period wooden pillars, and it was proposed that the Late Jomon period can be narrowed down to approximately 700 years in length, with a lower limit around 470 BC. Consistency with the beginning of the Yayoi Period will be discussed in the future. The origins of artifacts is also being investigated.
17 pieces of pottery excavated from the Dōjitte site²⁴ in Tsunanmachi, Niigata Prefecture, were analyzed using petrographic techniques, and while in many cases a strong local provenance was inferred, in some cases the provenance was inferred to be in a remote area. In addition, Jomon pottery excavated from Tsugaru Dam sites was analyzed using newly developed chemical composition analysis utilizing volcanic glass. In the Ishikari Lowlands of Hokkaidō, petrographic analysis of gravestones indicated that there are differences in the selection and arrangement of stone materials in different basins of the lowland, and the significance of these differences is being pursued.
In addition, studies of the remains of plant and animal impressions have been conducted in various areas, and legume plants are discussed, and their issues are also examined.

Artifacts
A memorial volume in honor of Imafuku Rikei²⁵, “Archaeology of Objects, Structures, and Society” ²⁶ was published, with a relatively large number of discussions related to the Mid-Middle Jomon Period.
The study of large four-handled deep bowls²⁷ distributed in the central highlands to the southwestern Kantō region in the latter half of the Shinmei style²⁸ in the mid to late Middle Period pointed out that there are two types: one is highly uniform and widely distributed, and the other is strongly regional and locally distributed. Among the Shinmei style pottery from the western part of the Tōkai region, the formation of a group of Rittai- Sōshoku style ²⁹ pottery and the evolution of its lineage were discussed, and the act of intentionally incorporating foreign pottery information into local pottery information was pointed out. In the Late- Late Period, the study of spouted vessels stands out.
The morphology and decoration of a similar group of pottery excavated at the Kainohana shell midden site³⁰ in Chiba Prefecture was examined, and it was pointed out that while imitating Tōhoku spouted pottery, the design was modified in a Kantō style, indicating a broad inter-type negotiation in the eastern part of the country. Similarly, a piece of spouted earthenware from the mid to early Late Kantō region was examined, and the relationship between Kantō and Tōhoku was examined. The transition and genealogy of the northern half of the Kyūshū region is also discussed.
In addition to the discussion of the genealogy and distribution of pottery, there are also studies that take a slightly different direction.
The changes in the amount of Jomon pottery excavated from the Kitashirakawa Jomon site³¹ in Kyōto Prefecture are examined, and an attempt has been made to reconstruct the demographics of the period based on the amount of pottery excavated. “Low-skilled earthenware” of the middle Jomon period was also examined, and it was argued that these were made by children imitating the adult potters around them or in the process of learning pottery making. There were also a number of discussions on clay figurines.
Focusing on changes in spatial expression, the changes from early to middle earthenware figurines were discussed, and the nature of clay figurine modeling was discussed.
Refutations from specialized fields were also presented in response to new theories recently proposed concerning clay figurines.
With regard to clay artifacts, the development of human expression in earthenware, clay artifacts, and clay figurines was discussed, focusing on the omission, destruction, and resurrection of body parts, and the social background was also considered.
Several articles on stone tools and stone artifacts were published. Stone jewelry excavated from the Kurawa site³² on Hachijō-jima Island was examined, and it was pointed out that it is linked to the transition of stone jewelry in the late Early Jomon to early Middle Jomon periods in the Japanese archipelago. The method of obtaining obsidian was discussed based on the distribution of obsidian in the Gunma area during the Early to Middle Jomon Period. Stone tools related to the Suzu-Oke technique ³³ excavated from the Shimoyoshida site ³⁴ , Fukuoka Prefecture, were reviewed, and the aspects of their influx were analyzed. The chronology of Late Jomon stone poles mainly from the Ishikari Lowlands of Hokkaidō was presented and their background was discussed. Large stone poles excavated from the Middle to Late Jomon period sites were also examined, and the phenomenon of “intensification” of the use of large stone poles was observed in the Angyō³⁵ 3b and 3c style periods.

Settlements
The influence of the southern Kantō and Kōshin regions on the rise and fall of the Tōchi [overturned] deep bowls³⁶ excavated from the floor of dwellings in Fukushima Prefecture was discussed. The diffusion and reception of information on the ‘outdoor pottery burial’³⁷ sites in the Fukushima Prefecture area from the Late Middle to the Early Late Period were discussed. The timing of the construction of dugout-pillar buildings found in the mid-Holocene settlements was examined. It was pointed out that the dugout- pillar buildings that appeared around the Goryōgaidai style period ³⁸ would soon come to an end and be replaced by ring settlements of the Aramichi ³⁹and Tōnai ⁴⁰ style periods, suggesting a shift from a matrilineal to patrilineal society. An examination of the repeated construction of dwelling sites in the western Kantō and Kōshin regions from the late Jomon Period to the early Late Jomon Period indicated the separation and fixation of residential and grave sites, the subdivision of the settlement structure, and the existence of long-term maintenance and management of space-use. The classification and compilation of stone-lined graves in the Gunma area was conducted, and the changes in the combination of earthen mound graves and stone-lined graves discussed the increasing complexity of post- and late-Jomon society.
Research related to human skeletal remains recovered from tombs was published. A detailed examination of human skeletal remains excavated from Site B202 at Kusakari Shell Mound⁴¹, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, led to a reconstruction of the burial process and characteristics of multiple individual aggregation burials ⁴² . The burial position of the human skeletal remains (No.24), who was killed in a shark attack, from Tsukumo Shell Midden ⁴³ in Okayama Prefecture, showed that the body was folded in two, which is relatively rare, and the existence of a spell to contain the spirits of the deceased was discussed. There are also diverse studies that differ from the above research topics.

Jomon Mythology
The concept of ‘dichotomy’ was derived from an examination of pottery burial remains at the Andoji Temple site⁴⁴ and Kaidōmae C site⁴⁵ in Yamanashi Prefecture, and an attempt was made to decipher the “structure” of Jomon mythology by looking at the relationship between the two groups of artifacts.

Marine Expansion
In the “Archaeology Quarterly” No. 161 (Yuzankaku), a special feature titled “The First History of Marine Expansion” ⁴⁶ was published, which attempted to reconstruct the history of marine expansion in the Jomon period. The same issue of “Did the Jomon Cross the Sea? Exploring the Boundaries of Cultural Areas and Languages” ⁴⁷ also on maritime expansion, examined the reality of transoceanic traffic and discussed the relationship between the two.

History of Scholarship
The book, “Continued Basic Research on the History of Japanese Prehistoric Archaeology: The Studies of Yamanouchi Sugao and the People Around Him” ⁴⁸ as well as “The Cave and the Archaeologist: Footprints and Results of Site Investigations”⁴⁹ were published. In addition, the beginning of obsidian research and the Suwa archaeological site survey are mentioned.
In relation to World Heritage, in “Jomon and World Heritage: Questioning the Universal Value of the Jomon Culture in Human History”⁵⁰, the universal value of the “Jomon culture” in human history is questioned through the “Jomon sites in Hokkaidō and the northern Tōhoku region”.

3. The Yayoi Period

The main theme of this year's Yayoi period research is the identification of dates and their chronological status and significance, including the newly proposed date for the beginning of the Yayoi period.

Dating
A new calibration curve for 14C dating, intcal20, has been published and used to develop chronologies. The results of 14C dating and verification of oxygen isotope dendrochronology were also presented. In addition, a special issue of Archaeology Quarterly titled “The End of the Jomon Period”⁵¹ was published, and a number of articles on this topic have been published this year.

Regional Studies
Research on the state of Yayoi society is continuing in various regions. In northwestern Kyūshū, the start of local irrigated agriculture was considered to be in the 8th-9th century BC. Dating of latent indentation materials in Kagoshima Prefecture has been reported to be close to this date. A record of the symposium “The Reality of
Society in the Late Yayoi Period”⁵², found in the Journal of Ancient Studies⁵³, discussed the status and direction of research focusing on residential remains in the southern Kinki region.
In the Kantō region, a collection of papers under the title, “Yayoi Culture in the Southern Kantō Region” ⁵⁴ was published, examining the agriculturalization of the southern Kantō region from a variety of perspectives, focusing on research related to the Nakazato site⁵⁵ in Odawara City. A model for expanding arable land to cope with population pressure was presented and is considered one of the main points of discussion.
In the Tōhoku region, the Japanese Archaeological Association held a session on “The Reception and Development of Yayoi Agricultural Culture in the Northeastern Archipelago”⁵⁶, during which the state of rice cultivation in the northern Tōhoku region was discussed from various perspectives. The session also examined the composition of rice paddies and farming tools in the southern Tōhoku region. The publication of a book, “Issues in the Early Cultivation of Grains in Eastern Japan”⁵⁷ discussed issues of society and livelihood based on 14C dating of pottery indentations and carbonized grains. A special issue titled “Tōhoku in the Late Yayoi Period” ⁵⁸ was published in The Archaeological Journal⁵⁹, which reviewed Tennōyama-style ⁶⁰ pottery, its spread, genealogy, and Tennōyama-style society.

Settlements
Prominent settlement sites were discussed in depth, and work on upland settlements were also taken up. In the area of settlement research, the 60th anniversary of the Ōnaka site⁶¹ was taken as an opportunity to review the housing and excavated artifacts. In addition, “The Forefront of Makimukugaku”⁶² was published to commemorate the establishment of the Sakurai City Research Center for Makimukugaku⁶³. This large volume of over 700 pages, contained a variety of papers on Yayoi society in general, as well as on the Makimuku site ⁶⁴ . At the Yoshinogari site ⁶⁵ , the internal structure of the village was analyzed, and the influence of the continent was discussed. At the Karako-Kagi site⁶⁶, a study was published on the estimation of the function of the moat encircling the site based on a re-examination of the moat encircling it.
In terms of upland settlements, a special issue of the “Ancient Culture” ⁶⁷ magazine, “Reconsidering Yayoi Period Upland Settlements (1 & 2)” ⁶⁸ was published, in which upland settlements were reexamined from a current perspective, including views from GIS.
There has also been progress in the study of artifacts in each theme.

Pottery Research
The chronologies of earthenware research were introduced in various regions. In addition to the examination of the academic history of Sugu- style pottery⁶⁹, a new chronology was proposed. Mikawa Archaeology ⁷⁰ published a special issue on the Yayoi earthenware dating of the Mikawa area from a current perspective and published a model for the transmission of pottery types. Apart from chronologies, other studies on pottery include quantitative analysis of Yayoi pottery forms using three-dimensional data, and the genealogy and chronology of Konoha-style patterns⁷¹. Other areas of research being pursued include academic history, pottery genealogy, and exchange.

Stone Tool Research
The Niigata Prefecture Archaeological Society's Fall Symposium, “The Yayoi Period in Niigata from the Perspective of Lithic and Iron Artifacts”⁷² was held to analyze the emergence of an agricultural society in the Niigata Prefecture area. Some individual studies have investigated the genealogy of angular stone axes, the distribution of stone knives, and the existence of village structures and production groups.

Bronze Goods
The symposium “Reviewing Yayoi Period Society through Dōtaku (bronze bells)”⁷³ was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Dōtaku mold at the Higashi-Nara site⁷⁴, confirmed the progress of Dōtaku research and discussed the process of Dōtaku formation. The symposium also included examples of Dōtaku- shaped clay artifacts, and an attempt to reconstruct Dōtaku depicted on illustrated maps using CAD.

Iron Goods
At a symposium in Niigata Prefecture (see above), iron artifacts were discussed along with stone tools, an analysis of grinding stones, the understanding of the influx of iron artifacts, and comparisons with adjacent sites were made. Archaeology Quarterly featured a special issue on “The Archaeology of Iron and Novel Research Trends” ⁷⁵ which attempted to analyze the relationship between the organization of iron tools and the processing process, and the production and distribution of iron tools in northwestern Kyūshū.
The Archaeological Journal ⁷⁶ also published a special feature, “Yayoi Period Trade in the Sea of Japan seen through Iron” ⁷⁷ . The relationship between wooden handles and iron products at the edge of blades, traces remaining on bone horn vessels, and analysis of grinding stones were examined for their dissemination and use. In “A Study of the Early Iron Age in East Asia”⁷⁸, the development of blacksmithing techniques and iron production in northern Kyūshū was analyzed from an East Asian perspective. There is also a review of the oldest evidence of blacksmithing in the Kantō region. Other publications include “Ancient Swords and State Formation”⁷⁹ and “Swords: Weapons and Ancient Society”⁸⁰.

Wooden Artifacts
“The Archaeology of Woodworking”⁸¹ was published, showcasing the transformation of woodworking techniques from the Jomon period to ancient times. In addition, “Timber Linking Yayoi Society” ⁸² , the acquisition of timber to the distribution of products was discussed, and an image of Yayoi society in the Kinki region was expanded on. The resource management of deciduous hardwoods was also discussed.

Beads
In the study of beads, the state of long-term bead possession, production and distribution of bead objects, and their formalization was discussed. The distribution and production of beads in the Hokuriku and Tōhoku regions was also discussed.

Yayoi people as seen through Ancient Human Skeletal Remains
“Research Report of the National Museum of Japanese History” ⁸³ published the results of “Elucidating the History of the ‘Yaponesian’ People Using Archaeological Data”⁸⁴. The process of formation of the Yayoi people was pursued based on archaeological data, dating, DNA analysis, and nitrogen isotope ratios. The diet of the Yayoi people was also studied based on dental disease, and research related to traits of the Yayoi people is also underway.

Epi-Jomon Period, Kaizuka Period
The book “Resource Use in the Continental Jomon Culture”⁸⁵ was published, and the society of the Continental Jomon culture was studied in terms of various factors such as the use of plant resources. The book also discusses the spread of the Continental Jomon culture to the northern part of Honshu and other regions. The distribution and evolution of shell accumulation sites in the supply areas were also discussed.

Yayoi Culture in East Asia
The Society of Ancient Arms⁸⁶ featured a special edition on foreign weapons and armors and examined the genealogy and acceptance of metal weapons. The process of influx and establishment of bronze artifacts from the Korean Peninsula was also discussed at the “Japan-Korea Joint Academic Symposium: Bronze Production Technology of the Korean Peninsula and Ancient Mirrors in East Asia II” ⁸⁷ . At the 2022 Fukuoka conference of the Japanese Archaeological Association, a session on “Similarities and Differences in Culture and Society Across the Strait” ⁸⁸ was organized to discuss Japan-Korea relations through the catalyst of the Yayoi period.

Diverse Research Developments
Facial expressions and clay doll artifacts were compiled and reexamined, and the background of clay artifacts in the shape of weights ⁸⁹ was pursued. In painting research, regional characteristics in pottery painting in the Kinki region were discussed based on motifs and drawing methods, and new examples from the San'in region were also introduced. In the study of mercury vermilion, “Yayoi People Fascinated with Vermilion: The Wakasugiyama Cinnabar Mining Site”⁹⁰ was published. It was also discussed that offerings of stone pestles and mortars spread from various locations along the Japan Sea coast during the latter half of the Yayoi period. In the analysis of animal remains, the arrival of chickens and its background were introduced, and the relationship between domestication and infectious diseases was discussed based on perforations and arrangements of wild boar mandibles. “The Archaeology of Scales and Weights”⁹¹ discussed scales and weights from the Yayoi period to the Medieval Period. There is also a study that looks into the decimal system of the Yayoi period. Practices related to the recognition of the Yayoi calendar are being conducted. The Itaishi inkstone⁹², which is related to the use of writing, has been the focus of attention and controversy recently.
In terms of research on the scholarship itself, the “Yayoi Culture Museum Research Report”⁹³ has published a number of summaries of Yayoi culture research from the 1990s to the present from various points of view.

4. The Kofun Period

Kingdoms
Several works have been published on the establishment process of the Yamato kingdom, combined with its characteristics. “Himiko and the Yamato Kingship”⁹⁴ and “The Formation Process of the Ancient State: Theory, Course, and Archaeology” ⁹⁵ discussed the process of the establishment of kingship. In addition, “Regions of Ancient Japan”⁹⁶ was published as a successor to “Ancient Japan” ⁹⁷ , in which “Ancient Keyhole- Shaped Tumulus in Yamato and Kawauchi” and “The Northern Limit of Ancient Keyhole-Shaped Tumuli and the Tumuli of the ‘Emishi’” were published. The 10th-anniversary commemorative volume “The Frontiers of Makimukugaku”⁹⁸ was published, in which the following topics were discussed: “What is a ‘Kofun’ - Structural and Regional Reexamination of its Origin”, “Round and Flat-Topped Tumuli in the Kinai Region during the Establishment of the Yamato Government”, “Is the Middle Kofun Period of the Eastern Kingdom a Nation Phase?”, “Kofun and Haniwa Rituals” among many other papers related to the Kofun period. In the symposium “Reexamination of the Genealogy of the Tombs of the Chiefs” ⁹⁹ , the Society for Ancient Studies of Japan examined the genealogy of the tombs of chiefs from various perspectives, including “The Genealogy of the Tombs of the Chiefs in the Pre- and Middle Kofun Period from the Viewpoint of Burial Goods”.

Regional Studies
“Exploring Tokyo's Kofun Tombs” ¹⁰⁰ and “The Archaeology of Katsuragi: The Forefront of Prehistoric and Ancient Studies”¹⁰¹ were published. Both are ambitious works that carefully explore tombs of the region. A separate volume of Archaeology Quarterly featured kofun tumuli in the Yodo River basin. Included in the volume are the articles “Amamiyayama Kofun and Bentenyama Kofun Tumulus Group”, “The Left Bank of the Yodo River and its Keyhole-shaped Tumuli”, “The Age of Imashirozuka Tumulus”, and “The Kofun Period in the Yodo River Basin”. The “Yubunesaka No. 2 Tumulus Project ¹⁰² Results Report” materials were published, and the study related to the excavated artifacts was made public. In the reports, “Study of the Haizukayama Kofun Tumulus”¹⁰³ and “Study of the Dainichizuka Kofun Tumulus in the City of Namegata, Ibaraki Prefecture: Report of the 2015 Excavation”¹⁰⁴ were published. Also published was “Study of the Teranishi 1 Tumulus, Toyohashi City, Japan” which reported the results of rearrangement of excavated materials.
The special exhibition “Kofun Culture of Izumo, Iwami, and Oki” was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Yakumotatsu Fudoki-no-Oka Museum, and the catalog will include a discussion of the ‘Izumo theory’.

Tumuli & Burials
Involving the standard of keyhole-shaped tumuli, “Distribution Structure of Design Techniques for Keyhole-Shaped Tumuli” and “The Tomb of the Monarch of Wakoku in the Saki Kofun Tumulus Group and Reproduction of Tumuli” were published. The inheritance and spread of tumuli design standards are discussed. In relation to tumuli-building stones, “Specific Aspects of Tumuli Stone Collection in Tsumiishizuka Kofun Tumulus in the Early Kofun Period” discussed the supply relationship of stone materials, with “Genealogy of Tumuli Stone Masonry in the Period of the Establishment of the Keyhole-Shaped Tumuli” discussed the genealogy of tumuli stone masonry.
In relation to the landscape of tumuli, the Makimuku tumulus group was discussed (“Makimuku Tumulus Group and Surrounding Landscape”). The universal applicability of the discussion will be examined in the future. In terms of location and transportation routes, “The Mozu- Furuichi Kofun Tumulus Group from the Perspective of Ancient Transportation Routes” and “Location of Early Kofun Tumuli and Highland Settlements” were discussed.
With regard to pit burials, “Funerary Order and Political Power in the Kofun Period” ¹⁰⁵ showcased structural analysis of pit burial facilities, along with the extraction of commonalities and regional characteristics, and their meanings were discussed. Other topics include “Vertical stone chambers in the Kinai region from the viewpoint of stone materials: regional characteristics and changes in use of stone chamber materials”, “Burial facilities in the early Kofun period: a review of clay burial chambers”, and “Drainage holes in stone coffins” were published.
On the other hand, with regard to horizontal tunnel burials, “Kofun Period Society as Seen from the Horizontal Tunnel Burials” was published in Archaeology Quarterly, and many points of discussion were presented. Other articles include “The Background of Status and Instrumental Succession in the Kofun Period as Seen from Horizontal Tunnel Burials”, “Distribution Patterns of Tsukuba Metamorphic Rocks in the Late Kofun Period”, and “Quantitative Analysis of Horizontal Stone Chambers Based on Three-Dimensional Measurements: Focusing on the Isezuka Tumulus in Gunma Prefecture” were published.
Finally, with regard to tumuli groups, the theme “Kofun Period Tumuli in the Tōkai Region” was taken up at the Tōkai meeting of the Society for Archaeological Research, and the aspects of each region were discussed in detail. The lecture “Considering the Late Kofun Tumuli at the Foot of Mount Ashitaka” was given in connection with the special exhibition “Pioneers in Mount Ashitaka: The Largest Kofun Tumulus Group in the Tōkai Region and Regional Revival” held at the Numazu City Library.

Artifact Research
In artifact research, the Haniwa Research Group¹⁰⁶ held a symposium titled “Classification and Arrangement of Haniwa”¹⁰⁷ and attempted to reorganize Haniwa. In addition, many articles were published in “Haniwa Research”¹⁰⁸ on the theme of Haniwa production among others. In the “Journal of Haniwa Research” ¹⁰⁹ , many articles were published on the theme of Haniwa production in the latter half of Kofun period. Some of these point out the existence of the buried person among the group of Haniwa.
In the study of burial goods, the Chūgoku- Shikoku Association for the Study of Keyhole- Shaped Tumuli¹¹⁰ has continuously pursued middle Kofun period chronologies and has published a collection of related materials.
In the study of bronze mirrors, “Kagami no Kofun Jidai (The Kofun Period of Mirrors)”¹¹¹ was published, discussing the possession and use as burial goods of mirrors. In addition, the issue of long-term possession and transmission was addressed in “Mirror Transmission and Groups”. Other research projects include scientific analysis and the compilation of mirrors from university collections.
In the field of sword research, “Swords: Weapons and Ancient Society” ¹¹² was published, which provides a diachronic overview of sword culture and regional characteristics. “Ancient Swords and the Formation of the State”¹¹³, which adds decorated large swords from the late and terminal periods to the previous findings. The Tenri City Tourism Association’s 65th anniversary lecture “The Furu Site: Before and After the Mononobe Clan,” includes a discussion of swords. “Ancient Swords: The Origins of Japanese Swords” ¹¹⁴ was published, summarizing the transition from straight swords to curved swords. In the “Production and Distribution of Keitō no Tachi” section, a new edition plan was proposed according to the shape of the handle. A discussion on the large sword excavated from the Yubunsaka No. 2 burial mound was published in connection with the debriefing session.
There were many discussions on burial goods consisting of weapons, armors, and horse tack. This discussion included the “Significance of
Kofun Tumuli with Multiple Iron Weapons and Horse Tack” and “Military and Diplomacy in the Kofun Period”, which discussed the large number of burials, their relation to military organization, and their practicality. In the Journal of Ancient Arms Research, “Weapons and Armor as Ritual Armor: The Development of Armor Ritual in the Ancient and Medieval Periods” and “What is Weapon Burial in the Kurozuka Tumulus: Aspects of Weapon Burials in the First Half of the Early Kofun Period” were published. In “Armor, Military Organization, and Warfare in the Kofun Period” the author argues that the name “Tankō”¹¹⁵ should be abolished, objecting to previous reconstructions.
In the study of armor, the Archaeological Journal ¹¹⁶ published a special issue on “The Frontiers of Kofun Period Armor Research”. The following articles were published: “Toward Clarifying Armor Manufacturing and Production Organization in the Kofun Period”, “The Problem of the Concentration of Armor Excavated from Kofun Tombs: The Case of Iida Tumulus Group”, “The Current Status and Possibility of 3D Data Analysis in Armor Research”, “Korean Banded Armor” by Isahaya Naoto¹¹⁷, and “Current Status and Issues in Late Kofun Armor Research” by Yokosuka Tomomichi¹¹⁸.
In the “Society of Ancient Arms” ¹¹⁹ the foreign elements of weapons were examined under the theme of “The Introduction of Imported Weapons and Armor in Ancient Times and Aspects of the Development of Production Technology”. The following articles were published: “People with Bronze Daggers: The Origin of Weapons in the Yayoi Culture”, “Aspects of Yayoi Society as Seen through Imported Weapons”, “Foreign and Japanese Armor of the Kofun Period”, “Expansion of the Production of Decorated Swords and Migrant Producers”, “Comparative Study of Weapons in Ancient Japan”, “Weapons and Armor Production Organization and Imported Technology and Culture from Literature: A Closer Look at the Family Registers”.
In the field of horse tack research, several publications include “Chronology of Horse Tack and External Negotiations in the Middle Kofun Period”, “Study of Horse Tack Excavated in the Hokuriku Region (1): Focusing on Examples from Toyama and Ishikawa Prefectures”, and “Imported Decorated Horse Tack from the Late Kofun Period: Introduction of Gilt Bronze Fittings and Examination of Horse Tack from the Saitama Shōgunyama Tumulus”.
The Archaeological Journal published a special issue on gilt bronze artifacts. It includes “The Rise and Fall of East Asian Dynasties and the Diffusion of Gilt-bronze Products”, “Metal Bow and Arrows of the Kofun Period”, “Aspects of the Reception of Precious Metal Accessories in the Kofun Period”, “The Craft Style of Banded Metal Fittings and Local Chiefs”, and “Decorated Horse Equipment from Daikaya [Gaya confederacy] Influenced by Silla”. Other topics include “Characteristics of Clustered Tumuli: Focusing on the Tsukawara Tumulus Group”, and “Changes in Earrings in the Late Kofun Period and the Late Terminal Period and Their Background: The Hakata Bay Coastal Area and the Central Kinki Region”.
In the field of bead research, “The Road of Glass: Brilliance Linking Ancient Eurasia”¹²⁰ was published. In the discussion, “Beads and Bead Production from the Furu Site”, “Long-Term Possession of Beads from the Yayoi and Kofun Periods”, and “A Study of Small Glass Beads Excavated from Kofun Tombs in Mibu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, based on the Quantities, Manufacturing Techniques, and Chemical Compositions” were among those published.
In the field of stone artifacts and stone model, “Production and chronology of stone ritual bracelets” was published, which presents six levels of chronology. In addition, “Funerals and Rituals by Stone Models: The ‘Honest’ Kofun Group” was published.
In the field of settlement and pottery theory, “Agriculture and Group Structure in the Yayoi and Kofun Periods” ¹²¹ was published. It discusses social structure from the viewpoint of water use and irrigation. The Kyūshū Association for the Study of Keyhole-Shaped Tumuli published “The Dynamics of Settlements and Kofun Period Tumuli III” which pursues in detail the dynamics of settlements in each region and examines their correspondence with Kofun period tumuli. Other topics include “Settlements and Regional Development around Middle Kofun Period Large- sized Keyhole-Shaped Tumuli” and “Kofun Period Settlements in the Main Basin of the Yodo River and the Northern Coast Area”.
In the field of pottery research, the Journal of Kofun Period Pottery Research ¹²² includes a variety of discussions on the chronology, distribution, and imported pottery. Other articles include “Interregional Interaction in the Kai Region in the Early Kofun Period: Based on the Classification of S-shaped Jars Excavated from Settlement Sites and Square Peripheral Tomb Tombs”, “Sue ware Excavated from the Furu Site”, and “Production and Clan Recognition in the Kofun Period: Focusing on Sue ware Production”. Stoves, cooking methods, etc. were also discussed.
Iron production was the subject of a special issue of Archaeology Quarterly, “The Archaeology of Iron: Recent Trends in Research”. The special feature discussed iron import routes, distribution, genealogy, smithing remains, and various other issues. The other topic was “The Transformation of Blacksmithing Techniques at the Beginning of the Kofun Period and its Background”.
In the field of wooden artifacts, “Use of Wood Based on Wood Artifacts Excavated from the Furu Site” and “Use of Bark and Production of Wood Vessels at the Furu Site” discussed the use of wood and bark.
In the study of horse breeding, “Pastoral Landscape Archaeology: Early Kofun Period Horse Breeding and its Surroundings” ¹²³ was published. Another is “Horse Use at the Furu Site from the Perspective of Horse Remains.
As for salt production, “Salt production earthenware and salt use at the Furu site” and “The meaning of salt-making pottery excavated at the Shitomiya-kita site¹²⁴” were published.
In the field of human skeletal remains and kinship, “Kinship and local community in the Kofun period” in the second session of the Fukuoka meeting of the Japanese Archaeological Association is worthy of special mention. The topics discussed included “Prestige goods transfer and kinship in the Kofun period”, “Kinship and ancient state formation in the Kofun period”, “Kinship and rituals in the Kofun period”, and “Regional characteristics of human remains from the Kofun period”.
Studies in other areas include “The Production and Development of Curved Blade Sickles in Ehime Prefecture”, “Production Tools of Red Vermillion Brought to the Tombs of the Yayoi and Kofun Periods”, “The compositional principles of A-type and B-type straight arc patterns in stone carvings”¹²⁵, and “A study on the unit figures of the Kotaimon and Chokkomon ¹²⁶ and their construction methods”. Furthermore, “The Archaeology of the Daijosai” ¹²⁷ was published, which also discussed archaeological findings.

5. Ancient Period

The year 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the special designation of Heijō Palace and the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, and a commemorative collection of essays was published. It also marked the 100th anniversary of the designation of Kokubunji Temple and other historical sites, and commemorative events and symposiums were held. Many essays were published in connection with these events.

Castle Towns
The 70th anniversary of the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties ¹²⁸ , “Advances in the Study of Cultural Properties V”¹²⁹ was published. The papers in the collection cover a wide variety of themes related to cultural properties from the Paleolithic to the Modern Period, but the majority of the papers are related to the Asuka Fujiwara Palace and the Heijō Palace. The papers are from a variety of perspectives, and this collection of papers represents a significant achievement in the study of castle towns. The “Archaeological Journal” ¹³⁰ published a special issue on “Current Research on Fujiwara-kyō and Heijō-kyō which included a discussion of the results of recent research. In addition, the relationship between Heijō-kyō and the Jōri system was discussed at the conference of the ‘Society for the Study of the Jōri System and Ancient Cities’ and in “The Study of the Jōri System and Ancient Cities”¹³¹. Other single publications include “The Ancient Palace Capital of Japan and the Chinese Capital City” ¹³² , “A Study of the Capital City Fujiwara-kyō”¹³³, and “The Ancient Palace Capital and the Construction of Local Offices”¹³⁴.

Provincial Government Offices
“Searching for the Real Image of the Ancient National Government”¹³⁵ was published in Archaeology Quarterly Supplement 37¹³⁶ , which included many papers related to the history of literature and archaeology. The “Historic Site Izumo Provincial Government Site 11” ¹³⁷ was published, reporting the results of the survey of the Izumo Provincial Government. In addition, the results of a study on the Dazaifu outer wall were also published. In eastern Japan, a meeting was held for the first time in three years to study the remains of ancient palisades and public offices, and a feature article was published on the restoration and maintenance of the south gate of the Tagajō Castle Ruins and other areas. In the paper, the actual age of the Tagajō II period, the similarities between the renovation of Tagajō and the Omi provincial government, etc. were discussed. Other papers include discussions and reports on cases from various regions.

Ancient Temples
At the Kayanoki site¹³⁸ in Kyōto Prefecture, a pagoda platform was found, which attracted attention because of its relation to the Tachibana clan. The Miyoshi City Board of Education in Hiroshima Prefecture has published a summary report of the eight investigations of the Teramachi Abandoned Temple, which includes a related paper. Some of the papers include a discussion of the continuity of the temple from the Kofun period, which is noteworthy. A discussion of the relationship with the Kofun period was also published. In the Kantō region, there were many published studies on Kokubunji temples, discussing civil engineering techniques, the period of construction, and the relationship between nunneries and monks' temples. Other topics discussed included the date of Onjō-ji’s establishment, the layout plan of the Yamadadera temple complex, and the location of Takechi Daiji temple. In addition, the “Archaeology of Katsuragi” ¹³⁹ and “Essays on Ancient Sagami II” ¹⁴⁰ contain discussions on ancient temples. “Narabi Kokubun Monks' Temples and Nunneries: Kazusa Kokubunji”¹⁴¹ was also published.

Ancient Mountain Castles
“Kikuchijō Castle and Ancient Society”¹⁴² discussed the roads, villages, warehouses, and excavated Buddhist statues related to Kikuchijō Castle. Symposiums “Dazaifu Shiōin Temple: A Temple of the Idea of a Protectorate State Built in the ‘Western Capital’” and “The Ancient Mountain Castle, Kikuchijō Castle from the Perspective of Ancient Technology” were held and the results were published.
With regards to settlements and residences of the Great Clans, The Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties published a report on the previous year's research meeting, “Structure and Transition of Ancient Settlements 2”. In addition, “Structure and Transition of Ancient Settlements 3” was held, and a collection of materials was published. At the meeting, the structure of ancient settlements, their changes, and their relationship with government offices were analyzed and discussed. A special feature on ancient sites was published in the ‘Rekishi Hyōron’ (Historical Journal) ¹⁴³ , and there were also additional reports from archaeologists. The Archaeological Association of Yamanashi Prefecture organized a special feature, “Ancient Kai Province: Houses and Villages of the Ancient Kai Clan” in which ancient Kai was comprehensively examined, including its literary history. In addition, “The Archaeology of Ancient Kai Province” ¹⁴⁴ was published. In addition, articles on settlements and powerful clans were published in each region.

Transportation, The Jōri System and Land Development
The “Historical Archaeology of Ancient Landscape Reconstruction” ¹⁴⁵ was published, presenting the results of landscape reconstruction of the Nara Basin, including landforms, and official roads. In the Ikaruga region, the layout of palaces and residences based on roads was also examined. The Izumo Journal of Ancient History¹⁴⁶ published a special feature titled “New Developments in Ancient Transportation around the San'in Region”. A report on the survey of ancient roads in the Aoya Plain of Tottori Prefecture and its eastern hills revealed various characteristics of ancient roads. The “Journal of the Yamanashi Prefecture Archaeological Association” featured a special issue on the remains of a Jōri area in Kai Province.

Written Records
The book “Ink-inscribed Pottery and Writing Tiles: A Study of Excavated Writing Materials” ¹⁴⁷ was published, which included a discussion of ink-inscription and line-engraving materials. In addition, “A Collection of Excavated Textual Materials Related to Ancient Tajima Province”¹⁴⁸ was published, and the character of ancient Tajima Province was discussed. In addition, the contents of wooden and ink-inscribed pottery were discussed.

Religion and Rituals
A symposium was held to commemorate the Hamada Seiryō Prize lecture ¹⁴⁹ by Hori Daisuke ¹⁵⁰ of Bukkyo University, and a symposium titled “Considering the Convergence of Shintoism and Buddhism: Its Origins and Spread”. The process of Buddhist integration and Shinto/Buddhist syncretism was also discussed in the area surrounding Ise Jingū Shrine. In ‘Matsuri’ research, “Ancient Matsuri [festivals] and the Gods”¹⁵¹ was published and the transition of rituals was discussed. Various other issues were also discussed, including rituals of armor, the transformation of Okinoshima from ancient rituals to the medieval period, and Ritsuryō rituals.

International Exchange
“The History of Interaction in the Ancient Japan Sea Rim Region” ¹⁵² was published, and aspects of the ancient period were discussed. In “A Study of the Unified Silla Pottery Style” ¹⁵³ , the distribution trends and changes of Silla pottery excavated from the archipelago based on the Silla pottery chronology was clarified. In addition, the background of the Shiretoko excavated Jingo- Kaibō coins from the late Okhotsk Culture¹⁵⁴ was presented. There was also a discussion of the ditch- holed moated pillar buildings, and the arrival of people as indicated by ink-inscribed pottery.

Artifact Research
In the study of earthenware groups, earthenware styles of the late antique period at the Tagajo site¹⁵⁵ and non-wheel-thrown earthenware of the Heian period were discussed. In the study of Sue ware, the interaction between makers, regional chronology, presentation of new materials, and analysis of engravings were discussed. The trends of Sue ware from the Kosai kiln were also discussed based on the results of scientific analysis. Other results include the identification of provenance utilizing X-ray fluorescence analysis. In the field of ceramics, there was a discussion on the formation process of Nara Sansai (Nara tricolored ware).
In roof tile research, the Society for Ancient Roof Tile Research held a symposium on “Roof Tiles from the Late Nara to Early Heian Periods”¹⁵⁶, with presentations on roof tile groups from major temples. Other topics included an analysis of the kilns that supplied tiles to the Fujiwara Palace and the nature of these kilns. The tile production techniques of the kiln supplying roof tiles to the Kōriyama II Site’s ¹⁵⁷ government office, and a comparison with other kilns in the Tōhoku region were also discussed. Other topics included reports on the discovery of new roof tiles from the Fujiwara and Heijō-kyō capitals, research on the same type of roof tile, weight calculations, and production systems, reports on new tile kilns, and discussions of roof tiles from various regions.
In metal artifact research, a discussion based on novel analytical results was published on bronze artifacts: “A Study on the Provenance and Mining of Ancient Bronze Raw Materials Using High-Precision Isotope Ratio Analysis”¹⁵⁸. Other publications include a discussion on Suo coins and a paper on molds.
In the field of iron manufacturing, “A Restorative Study of Ancient Iron Manufacturing Techniques” ¹⁵⁹ was published, in which the differences in production and labor between box- type and vertical ironmaking furnaces through iron manufacturing experiments, as well as the changes in ironmaking furnaces in the southern Tōhoku region were investigated.
In the study of wooden artifacts, “The Archaeology of Woodworking”¹⁶⁰ (Yuzankaku) was published, focusing on the development of techniques and the movements of craftsmen, with an emphasis on unprocessed products. In addition, “The Beginning of Wooden Artifacts: A Collection of Excavated Wooden Artifacts (Kyōto City Edition)” and “Archeology of Geta [traditional Japanese sandals]” ¹⁶¹ were also published. A discussion of textile tools excavated from the Fujiwara palace and capital was also published.
In the study of salt production, “Human History and Salt Production in the Japanese Archipelago” was published in a volume of Archaeology Quarterly, which included a discussion of ancient salt production in various regions. The salt manufacturing system in Wakasa Bay was also discussed.
“The Archaeology of Scales and Weights”¹⁶² discussed scales and weights from the Yayoi period to the Medieval Period. In addition, an attempt was made to reconstruct ancient scales. Engraved grinding wheels and engraved paper scales were also discussed.
In addition, there is a growing interest in ancient foods, and several discussions were presented. In addition, there were also several works on the protection and utilization of cultural properties, with the inclusion of viewpoints of archaeological tourism.

6. Medieval Period

Castle Buildings
A symposium, “Excavated Western
Sengoku Period Mountain Castles” was held online at the Okayama meeting of the Archaeological Institute of Japan ¹⁶³ . Reports were made on mountain castles, and various discussions were held. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the designation of the “Ōtomo Clan Site”¹⁶⁴ as a National Historic Site in Oita City, a symposium titled “Linking with History, Linking with the Future: Reviving the Ōtomo Residence” was held. In Tochigi City, the Nishikata Castle Ruins Symposium “What We Know So Far About the Nishikata Castle Ruins” was held to summarize the results of the research to date, and a summary report is scheduled for publication in preparation for the site being designation as a historic site. In Shizuoka City, a symposium titled “A Close Look at Imagawa-date” was held. There were presentations on the life of the vassals, town buildings, the mansion, and excavated artifacts. Many castle and mansion sites, including national historic sites, have been excavated and investigated with the aim of improving them as historic sites, and many results have been accumulated. A number of books were published, including “Sengoku no Shiro to Ishigaki (Castles and Stone Walls in the Warring States Period)” ¹⁶⁵ and “Sugiyama Shiro Mondai to Sengoku Shi Higashikuni Shirokaku” (Sugiyama Castle Issue and Eastern Japan Castle in the Warring States Period)¹⁶⁶. The Sugiyama Castle issue is related to the users of castles, and, by extension, the methodology used to determine the chronology of castles, with future developments to be closely watched.

Urbanization / Urban Theory
The Society for the Study of Medieval Archaeology in Eastern Japan published “Castle Towns in Eastern Japan during the Warring States Period: The Appearance of the City and Its People,” which addressed various issues related to the city, including the existence of urban planning, town space, the hierarchical structure of castle towns, territory marking, and the role of temple complexes, based on the results of research.

Tombs & Burials
An international symposium was held based on the results of the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) “Reexamination of the Process of Formation of Japanese Technology and Culture in the Middle Ages in the Study of Stone Structures: From the Perspective of the History of East Asian Interaction”. In addition to stone materials and their provenance, historical development, and case studies, there was participation from China and Korea in the form of substitute readings, and comparisons with Korea and China were also discussed. A symposium connected to the exhibition, “Ishinomaki in the Middle Ages as Told by Monuments: 30 Years after the ‘History of Ishinomaki’” was held at the Ishinomaki City Museum. The symposium was based on the results of the reorganization of the city's inscribed stone monuments, including those that were lost in the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami. A debriefing session for the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) “Basic Research on the Centripetal Characteristics of Medieval Temples from the Viewpoint of Stone Structures and Their Ability to Transmit Information” was held, with reports on various issues related to the Kōyasan chōishi-michi pilgrimage route. On the same day, the Kasama History Forum “Stone Pagodas Tell the Story of the Middle Ages: An Approach from Shishidoso-Iwama Kamigo” was also held. In addition, a wooden pagoda with gold leaf from an older period has been discovered in Niigata Prefecture, and its relationship to the stone pagoda is attracting attention.
In addition, a new technique called “Hikari Takuhon”¹⁶⁷ and 3D data are beginning to be used in the study of stone pagodas. It is expected to become popular in the future.

Artifact Research
In the field of artifact research, the medieval roof tile “Eifukuji-style roof tile” has attracted attention and was featured in a special exhibition at the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of History, and a medieval roof tile study group was held on the theme of “Establishment and Development of Eifukuji-style Roof Tiles”. The distribution of Eifukuji-style roof tiles and roof tile groups of the same period were also discussed at the meeting.
In the study of earthenware and ceramics research, the Japan Society for the Study of Oriental Trade Ceramics held a meeting titled “Re- Sharing and Development of ‘That Site’”. Perspectives, methods, and issues in the analysis of trade ceramics and porcelain, as well as the results of important sites, were reconfirmed and verified. In addition, a new edition of “Outline of Medieval Pottery and Ceramics” ¹⁶⁸ was published. It describes the pottery characteristics, earthenware, and ceramics of various regions.
In the area of production and distribution, the ‘Archaeological Journal’ published a special feature titled “Distribution of ceramics in Medieval Japan”. Distribution between the Seto Inland Sea and the Kinai region, domestic pottery from the Tōhoku region, the distribution of ceramics along the Sea of Japan coast, and Bocho-type earthenware were discussed. In addition, a study group on medieval earthenware was held on the theme of distribution under the title “The Inland Sea and the Open Sea in Late Medieval Japan”. Osaka Bay, Hyogo-no-Tsu, eastern Shikoku, the Kii Peninsula on the southern coast, and the eastern coast of Kyūshū were discussed. The Sakai City Museum held a special exhibition, “People and Goods Come and Go in Medieval Sakai: Archaeology of Distribution,” and a related symposium, “Distribution and Sakai in the Middle Ages,” was held. The symposium included lectures on maritime transport, the early medieval period and Ryukyu trade.

Miscellaneous
“Kanayamashū and Mining Technology in the Medieval Period”¹⁶⁹ was published. The book is a collection of writings on mining by the late Hagihara Mitsuo ¹⁷⁰ . The Archaeology Quarterly Journal published a special feature, “Landscape and Archaeology of Eating and Drinking,” which included essays on eating and drinking from ancient to modern times. Other topics discussed include underground mines and lacquerware from the Warring States period.

7. Early Modern Period

Castles and Castle Towns
“Structure and Development of
Oda/Toyotomi Castle Towns (2)” was published. The changes from the Toyotomi period to early modern castles were described in a comprehensive manner, and research results were presented on various issues such as production relations, stonewalls, and roof tile production.
The “Special Feature: Excavated Daimyo Residence” ¹⁷¹ was published in the ‘Archaeological Journal’ ¹⁷² . Under the title of “General Introduction: New Trends in the Study of Daimyo Residences”, the study of daimyo residences, gardens, warehouses, etc. was examined, and the results of individual research projects were reported by the affiliated researchers.
Special research included “The Situation and Remains of Building Foundations after the Yasuhime Court Period” and “Changes in the Boundaries of the Hongo Residence (Shimoyashiki) of the Kaga Domain”.
Villages and Lodgings
With regards to villages, “Yamabukicho Site IV” ¹⁷³ examined the management of arable land and farming methods in a farming village near Edo (present-day Tokyo). In the site report “The Watanuki Harakita Site, Watanuki Hara Site, Watanuki Hara-mae Site, Watanuki Sandanwari Site, and Watanuki Kisorimachi Site” ¹⁷⁴ , the landscape of Watanuki Village in the early modern period was restored by combining survey results, maps, and interviews.
With regards to lodgings, in the site report “Kurihashi-juku West Main Camp I” ¹⁷⁵ the “Fukushima Shimo-cho/Yashishita Site” ¹⁷⁶ , the “Shimonida-kaido Hime-kaido” Fukushimajuku, a back road of Nakasendo, and the “Shinmachi Tozaki Site 2”¹⁷⁷, the Shinmachi Inn of Nakasendo were investigated and their results are reported.

Doboku Gijutsu (Civil Engineering)
A special feature article, “Civil Engineering Archaeology in the Early Modern Period”¹⁷⁸ was published in the “Archaeological Journal”. Under the title of “General Discussion: Perspectives on Civil Engineering Technology in the Early Modern Period” the article discussed the construction of castles in the early modern period, the reclamation of lowlands related to the construction of Edo Castle, and the construction of levees with wooden gutters. In addition, “Historic Site Natural Monument Yashima IV”¹⁷⁹ (Takamatsu City Board of Education) summarized the results of a survey of Yashima, the stone-producing area for the stone walls of the historic site Takamatsu Castle.

Horticulture
The Edo Ruins Research Group took up the theme “Horticulture in Edo” at its conference, and archaeological case studies were reported along with research presentations on documentary history and pictorial materials. At Koishikawa Botanical Garden¹⁸⁰, a survey of the garden was conducted, and archaeological remains were detected.
Excavated Artifacts
Ceramic research continued to be active in FY2022. At the 32nd meeting of the Kansai Society for Early Modern Archaeology ¹⁸¹ , “Ceramic Production and Consumption in the 19th Century” was discussed, and an overview of excavated ceramics in the Kansai consumption areas was presented, revealing aspects of small regional kilns in western Japan. At the Tokyo meeting of the Society of Archaeological Studies, the aspects of the consumption areas were comprehensively discussed under the theme of “Possibilities for the Study of Early Modern Ceramics at Sites of Consumption Areas”¹⁸². The study meeting of the Japan Society for the Study of Trade Ceramics
In “Re-Sharing and Development of ‘That Site’: 40 Years of the Japan Society for the Study of Oriental Trade Ceramics” ¹⁸³ there were presentations on “Trade Ceramics Excavated from Sakai Moat City Site (2): Focusing on the ‘Nanban Trade’ Period,” and “Research on Trade Ceramics Excavated from Edo Sites.
Other presentations on ceramics from various regions included “An Archaeological Study of Early Modern Satsuma Ware”, “A Restorative Study of the Kiln Space in the Early Modern Period: A Report on the Excavation of the Goto Ware Happongi Kiln Site¹⁸⁴ in 2022”, “The Origin of Karatsu Ware: Exploring the Possibility of its Foundation in Tensho 20”, “Early Modern Porcelain and Textiles: With Special Reference to Fuyo-te and Shozui,” and “A Study of the Formation Process of Compra Bottles A Study on the Formation Process of Compra Bottles: A Comparative Study of Flask-shaped Wine Bottles and Compra Bottles¹⁸⁵” and various other articles have been published.
In the area of iron production, there is “Modern Industrialization and Iron at the End of the Edo Period as Seen from Ruins: Japanese Traditional Technology and Western Modern Technology”. In addition, “Report on the Survey to Confirm the Scope and Contents of the Hashino Blast Furnace Site” ¹⁸⁶ was published for the Hashino Blast Furnace Site No. 2 Blast Furnace Area” was published, which is a National Historic Site.
In addition, there is a collection of stone artifacts excavated in Yamanashi Prefecture, including a large number of unexcavated examples of inkstone and inkstone products related to production activities. There is also a discussion of clay figurines.

Food and Drink
Archaeology Quarterly ¹⁸⁷ featured “Food, Drink, Landscape, and Archaeology” ¹⁸⁸ . Among this, “Sake Vessels of the Edo Period”, “Wooden Tableware of Edo”, “Kunimoto's Fish Eating in the Edo Residence: The Uniqueness of Fish-Eating Culture in the Site of Edo Daimyo Residence and Its Background” and “Carnivory and Medicine Eating in the Edo Site” were among the themes discussed. Other articles include “Analysis of the Maeda Residence Visit Records During the Genna & Kan'ei Eras” and “A Study of Teapots from the Late Edo Period Based on Excavated Materials: A Case Study of the Former Site of the Owari Domain's Edo Estate”. In addition, “Salt and Food Culture in Edo from an Archaeological Perspective” was published in Archaeology Quarterly, which discusses salt production.

Tombs & Burials
“Funerary System and Society of Early Modern Daimyo”¹⁸⁹ was published. In addition to a discussion of the tombs of feudal lords, the book includes a number of articles on the tomb systems of the Ryūkyū and Korean royal families and anthropological analysis. In “Stone Cultural Properties”¹⁹⁰ , there were “Early Modern Grave Studies and Contemporary Society”, “Recent Studies on Early Modern Grave Markers”, and “Ancestral Rituals of the Daimyo: Rituals of the Ii, Okubo, and Yamaguchi Clans”. Other articles include “Establishment of Behavioral Patterns of Samurai in the Edo Period as Seen in the Chronological Transition of MSMs”, “Cremation in Early Modern Edo based on Cremated Human Remains” among others. Several excavations of cemetery sites were carried out. A representative example is “Shunchōji Temple Site Excavation Report”¹⁹¹, a report on the Shunchōji Temple area in Tokyo. In addition, a survey of “Ancient Tombs of Kikai Island”¹⁹² in Okinawa is being conducted by the National Research Institute of Science and Technology.

Religion
“Christian Relics at the Ruins of Hiroshima Castle and Castle Town”¹⁹³, “Plaquettes, Medals, and Medallions as Instruments of Piety: Designation and Internationality of Christian Relics”¹⁹⁴ and “Two White Porcelain Statues of the Kannon in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture”¹⁹⁵ were all announced. In Kantō, a survey of mounds that appear to be related to roads was conducted. Buildings that appear to be related to Shugendō lodgings¹⁹⁶ have also been discovered.

Conclusions
This document has summarized the trends in archaeological research in FY2022 by each archaeological period. Unfortunately, the author was unable to ascertain research trends in contemporary archaeology in 2022, so this section was omitted, the author apologizes for this. However, the Japanese Archaeological Association has called for the full preservation of the Takanawa embankment¹⁹⁷, and has made its opinions public, and the Buried Cultural Properties Protection Committee has played a central role in working toward its preservation. However, historic site designation was limited to a partial relocation only. This is truly regrettable, and we would like to make efforts toward the preservation of the 5th and 6th districts in the future.

Translation Acknowledgement:
This document was translated from the original Japanese text, 『2022 年度の日本考古学会(日本考古学研究の動向)』by: Dr. James Frances Loftus
(Associate Professor, Institute of Science Tokyo)

1 考古学ジャーナル誌上
2 香坂山遺跡
3 富沢遺跡
4 渋川Ⅱ遺跡
5 夕立遺跡
6 ピリカ遺跡
7『先史考古学論考─石器と先史文化─』
8 宮ノ前遺跡
9 『旧石器狩猟採集民の環境適応史』
10 「東北地方岩宿時代研究のパイオニア加藤稔の研究業績」
11 「更新世末の西南日本における環境変動と人類活動」
12 白滝型細石刃石器
13 和田鷹山群内
14 「ベーリンジア：ユーラシアからアメリカへの人類の拡散」
15 出ユーラシアプロジェクト
16 角二山遺跡
17 湧別技法札滑型
18 『縄文時代の環境への適応と資源利用』
19 『縄文海進─海と陸の変遷と人々の適応─』
20 『西日本縄文時代晩期の土器型式圏と遺跡群』
21 『土器製作技術からみた稲作受容期の東北アジア』
22 『東日本穀物栽培開始期の諸問題』
23 『居家以人骨の研究Ⅰ─早期縄文人の社会と葬制─』
24 道尻手遺跡
25 今福利恵
26 『モノ・構造・社会の考古学』
27 大型４単位把手付深鉢
28 神明式
29 立体装飾系土器
30 貝の花遺跡
31 北白川縄文遺跡群
32 倉輪遺跡
33 鈴桶刃器技法
34 下吉田遺跡
35 安行式
36 倒置深鉢
37 屋外土器
38 五領ヶ台式期
39 新道式期
40 藤内式期
41 草刈貝塚
42 死体聚合墓
43 雲貝塚
44 安道寺遺跡
45 同県海道前Ｃ遺跡
46 「海洋進出の初源史」
47 『縄文人は海を越えたか？「文化圏と言葉」の境界を探訪する』
48 『続日本先史考古学史の基礎研究─山内清男
の学問とその周辺の人々─』
49 『洞窟と考古学者遺跡調査の足跡と成果』
50 『縄文と世界遺産─人類史における普遍的価値を問う』
51 『縄文時代の終焉』
52 「弥生後期社会の実情」
53 古代学研究
54 『南関東の弥生文化』
55 中里遺跡
56 「列島東北部における弥生農耕文化の受容と展開」
57 『東日本穀物栽培開始期の諸問題』
58 「弥生後期の東北」
59 考古学ジャーナル
60 天王山式
61 大中遺跡
62 『纏向学の最前線』
63 桜井市纒向学研究センター
64 纏向遺跡
65 吉野ヶ里遺跡
66 唐古鍵遺跡
67 古代文化
68 「弥生系高地性集落の再考論（上・下）」
69 須玖式土器
70 三河考古
71 木葉文
72 「石器・鉄器からみた新潟の弥生時代」
73 『銅鐸から弥生時代社会を見直す』
74 東奈良遺跡
75 「鉄の考古学・最新研究の動向」
76 月刊考古学ジャーナル
77 「鉄からみた弥生時代の日本海交易」
78 『東アジア初期鉄器時代の研究』
79 『古代刀剣と国家形成』
80 『刀剣─武器から読み解く古代社会─』
81 『木工の考古学』
82 『木材がつなぐ弥生社会』
83 『国立歴史民俗博物館研究報告』
84 「考古学データによるヤポネシア人の歴史の解明」
85 『続縄文文化の資源利用』
86 古代武器研究会
87 「韓日共同学術シンポジウム韓半島の青銅器製作技術と東アジアの古鏡Ⅱ」
88 「海峡を挟んだ文化・社会の相似と相違」
89 分銅形土製品
90 若杉山辰砂採掘遺跡
91 『秤と錘の考古学』
92 板石硯
93 『弥生文化博物館研究報告』
94 『卑弥呼とヤマト王権』
95 『古代国家形成過程論理論・針路・考古学』
96 『シリーズ地域の古代日本』
97 『古代の日本』
98 『纏向学の最前線』
99 『首長墓系譜の再検討』
100 『東京の古墳を探る』
101 『葛城の考古学─先史・古代研究の最前線─』
102 湯舟坂２号墳プロジェクト
103 『灰塚山古墳の研究』
104 『茨城県行方市大日塚古墳の研究 2015 年発掘調査報告書』
105 『古墳時代の葬制秩序と政治権力』
106 埴輪検討会
107 「埴輪の分類と編年」
108 『埴輪研究』
109 埴輪研究会誌
110 中国四国前方後円墳研究会
111 『鏡の古墳時代』
112 『刀剣武器から読み解く古代社会』
113 『古代刀剣と国家形成』
114 『古代の刀剣─日本刀の流儀』
115 短甲
116 考古学ジャーナル誌上
117 諫早直人
118 横須賀倫達
119 古代武器研究会
120 『ガラスの来た道古代ユーラシアをつなぐ輝き』
121 『弥生・古墳時代の農耕と集団構造』
122 古墳出現期土器研究誌上
123 『牧の景観考古学古墳時代初期馬匹生産とその周辺』
124 蔀屋北遺跡
125 「彫ってわかった石彫Ａ型・Ｂ型直弧文の構図原理」
126 孤帯文・直孤紋
127 『大嘗祭の考古学』
128 奈良文化財研究所 70 周年記念論集
129 『文化財論叢Ⅴ』
130 考古学ジャーナル
131 『条里制・古代都市研究』
132 『日本古代宮都と中国都城』
133 『都城藤原京の研究』
134 『古代宮都と地方官衙の造営』
135 『古代国府の実像を探る』
136 季刊考古学別冊 37
137 『史跡出雲国府跡 11』
138 栢ノ木遺跡
139 『葛城の考古学』
140 『論集古代相模Ⅱ』
141 『ならび建つ国分僧寺・尼寺上総国分寺』
142 『鞠智城と古代社会』
143 『歴史評論』
144 『古代甲斐国の考古学』
145 『歴史考古学による古代景観の復元』
146 『出雲古代史研究』
147 『墨書土器と文字瓦─出土文字史料の研究─』
148 『古代但馬国関係出土文字資料集成』
149 濱田青陵賞受賞記念講演会とシンポジウム
150 堀大介氏
151 『まつりと神々の古代』
152 『古代環日本海地域の交流史』
153 『統一新羅土器様式の研究』
154 オホーツク文化
155 多賀城跡
156 「奈良時代末期〜平安時代初期の軒瓦」
157 郡山遺跡第Ⅱ官衙
158 『高精度同位体比分析法を用いた古代青銅原料の産地と採鉱に関する研究』
159 『古代製鉄技術の復元的研究』
160 『木工の考古学』
161 『下駄の考古学』
162 『秤と錘の考古学』
163 考古学研究会岡山例会でシンポジウム
164 大友氏遺跡
165 『戦国の城と石垣』
166 『杉山城問題と戦国期東国城郭』
167 「ひかり拓本」
168 『新版概説中世の土器・陶磁器』
169 『金山衆と中世の鉱山技術』
170 萩原三雄
171 「特集発掘された大名屋敷」
172 月刊考古学ジャーナル
173 『山吹町遺跡Ⅳ』
174 『綿貫原北遺跡・綿貫原遺跡・綿貫原前遺跡・綿貫三反割遺跡・綿貫反町遺跡』
175 『栗橋宿西本陣跡Ⅰ』
176 『福島下町・屋敷下遺跡』
177 『新町戸崎遺跡２』
178 「近世の土木考古学」
179 『史跡天然記念物屋島Ⅳ』
180 小石川御薬園
181 関西近世考古学研究会第 32 回大会
182 『消費地遺跡における近世陶磁器研究の可能性』
183 『あの遺跡、再びの共有と展開─日本貿易陶磁研究会 40年─』
184 八本木窯跡
185 コンプラ瓶
186 『橋野高炉跡範囲内容確認調査報告書』
187 季刊考古学
188 「飲食の風景と考古学」
189 『近世大名の葬制と社会』
190 『石造文化財』
191 『俊朝寺寺域遺跡発掘調査報告書』
192 『喜界島の古墓』
193 「広島城跡及び城下町跡におけるキリシタン関連遺跡について」
194 「信心具としてのプラケット・メダルそしてメダレット・メダリオンキリシタン遺物の呼称と国際性」
195 「山形県鶴岡市の白磁観音像２体」
196 修験道宿坊
197 高輪築堤

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Overview: Japanese Archaeological Research Trends 2021¹
Tsuji Hideto²

The 2021 fiscal year³ became the year that Japanese archaeology, which had been forced to a standstill by the coronavirus pandemic, began to move towards the revitalization of research activities. Even under the difficult circumstances of a novel coronavirus infection that has yet to subside, there were many research meetings and academic conferences held remotely, new research presentations made and discussions conducted, and progress seen in research.
The Japanese Archaeological Association as well was able to hold its 2021 General Meeting at Senshu University, and its 2021 Autumn Meeting at Kanazawa University, through the efforts and cooperation of the respective executive committee for each event. There were many research presentations for each occasion, with exchanges of opinion conducted online.
The aim of this volume is to record in detail the trends in research for the 2021 fiscal year in each field of research and in each region,⁴ to confirm the current achievements of Japanese archaeology, and to share research issues for the future. What follows will introduce the situation of research for each period in turn.

1. Paleolithic period
Two symposia related to the start of the Upper Paleolithic period were held. One was a program of lectures titled “How was modern human culture in Asia formed?,”⁵ which summarized results from the long-term project, “Cultural history of PaleoAsia.” In the lectures, models related to technological changes in the transitional period and the territorial expansion of modern humans in Asia and so forth were presented. The other was the Iwajuku Forum 2021,⁶ which took as its theme the appearance of blade tool assemblages in the Japanese archipelago. Comparisons of blade tool assemblages within the archipelago and internationally, the necessity of assessing the positions of assemblages, changes in their makeup, and so forth were discussed.
In addition, research was published that pursued human behavior through experimental methods. The possibility of the existence of the Early Paleolithic was also discussed.
Debate was exchanged on the period of transition from the end of the Upper Paleolithic to the Jōmon period.
At the symposium, titled “Nature and dynamics of the Upper Paleolithic hunter- gatherers in Hokkaido,”⁷ held at the annual meeting of the Japanese Palaeolithic Research Association, examinations were made of the emergence of microliths and of trends in microlithic technology and social groups in Hokkaido, and the possibility of a parallel existence with the Incipient phase of the Jōmon period was also discussed.
In addition, there was a reexamination of the bifacially worked stone tools recovered from the Mikoshiba⁸ site, and considerations of the composite tools from the Kosegasawa Cave⁹ site from the perspectives of function and the strategic utilization of stone material, and of assemblages of microlithic cores and so forth were made. Also, a monograph was published that comprehensively discusses the transition from the Paleolithic to the Jōmon periods.
In use-wear research, the results of research on the use-wear of microlithic assemblages has been systematically presented. Additionally, examinations of the technology of flaking microliths are being advanced. Further, concrete attempts at reconstructing the methods of making stone blades are being made.
In research on hunting gear, relationships between the cross-sectional morphology and functions of stone tools are being pursued, including through experimental research. As a new trend, future developments of this approach are receiving attention.
Research utilizing scientific analysis is being advanced.
As the source locations of stone tool materials are identified, based on those results there are discussions being held about intergroup exchanges and the social systems of hunter-gatherer groups, etc. At the same time, there are also opinions about the accuracy and reliability of source locality identifications, which will draw further consideration in the future.
In chronological dating, a new calibration curve has been published, and examinations are underway of its reliability and of the differences compared with prior versions. The compatibility with respect to archaeological findings is also being debated.
In regional research, a special collection titled “The development of Paleolithic research involving the Yakuraisanroku site group” was put together in the journal Miyagi kōkogaku,¹⁰ and stone tool chronology, the utilization of stone material, use- wear analysis, behavioral analysis, and so forth, were carried out. Also, there were examinations of the microlithic assemblages and spearhead-shaped projectile points of the Sagamino plateau¹¹ and environs, of Kō-type knife assemblages of eastern Japan, of the earliest partially polished stone axes of the Tōkai region, and so forth. For archaeological features, pit-traps of the first half of the Paleolithic period, and stone heaps of the latter half of the period on the Musashino plateau,¹² were taken up.
Research methodology was also discussed. Whereas the creation of objective type classes and the application of numerical criteria for Pleistocene stone tool assemblages were advocated on the one hand, drawing upon European research results, doubts were also put forth. Finally, I would like to add that there was also discussion on how to identify the value of Paleolithic research as a viable academic system in the modern context.

2. Jōmon period
In Jōmon research, a trend toward elucidating Jōmon society from research on artifacts including Jōmon pottery is visible.
The journal Kikan kōkogaku compiled a special collection of articles titled “The new Jomon society opened up by pottery research,”¹³ and in the midst of approaches to the makers of pottery and their social structure endeavored from typological research and manufacturing technology, there was debate on the dependence on marine resources.
There was an abundance of research published on aspects of every phase of the period.
Regarding the time of emergence of pottery, radiocarbon dating of material adhering to linear relief pottery and stable isotope analysis have been carried out. For the Incipient phase, along with the relationship between dowel-impressed and mumon ¹⁴ pottery, the relationships and trends of co-occurrence of pottery of different lines of derivation were discussed. For the Early phase, the origin of lacquer painting was examined from an analysis of its technology, and the importance was asserted of conducting scientific analysis in conjunction with typological examinations. Also, there was an examination made of a wide-area chronology for the latter half of the Early Jōmon period of Kyushu. Regarding the Middle phase, a research meeting on Sori-style pottery was held by the Yamanashi Prefecture Archaeological Association,¹⁵ and the diversity of Sori-style pottery and the social phenomena in the background were discussed. Also, studies were seen that took as their subject matter the co-occurrence of designs of different lines of derivation, and the interregional relations among pottery. For the Late phase, the Society of Archaeological Studies held its Tokyo Regional Meeting on the theme of “Interregional relations and society of the latter half of the Jōmon period Late phase seen from pottery,”¹⁶ in which examinations were made of changes in pottery assemblages of the Kantō and Tōhoku regions, and of trends in interrgional relations and increasing social complexity. In addition, there was research on changes in aspects of pottery, analysis of lines of derivation for individual vessels, the mechanism and formation of wide-area spheres of pottery distributions, and so forth. Also, stable isotope analysis of Late phase pottery adhesions was conducted nationwide. Regarding the Final phase, the social background of the wide-area distribution was debated for Kamegaoka-style¹⁷ pottery, which has a high degree of uniformity. There was also discussion about the route by which the Kamegaoka- style pottery recovered from the Itoku¹⁸ site in Shikoku was brought from the outside. Additionally, examinations were made of the developmental process of designs of Angyō-style¹⁹ pottery, and of transitions of types of Late phase deep bowls of southern Shikoku.
For the utilization of pottery, research was published pointing out the differential use of deep bowls based on an analysis of isotopes of carbon and nitrogen from material adhering to the pottery, and accordingly asserting that the appearance of new vessel types suggests the diversification of the diet and of the manner of distributing food. At the same time, there were doubts indicated about the uncritical acceptance of the results of scientific analyses such as those involving carbon/ nitrogen isotopes and residual lipids.
Regarding the making of salt using earthenware, the salt making for each period along the coast of Matsushima Bay²⁰ was examined, and it was pointed out that salt making was conducted over a long period using techniques dating back to the Jōmon period.
As baked clay objects, dogū ²¹ (clay figurines) were mainly taken up. Along with the significance of dogū being questioned, there were advancements made in compilations and examinations of sites yielding multiple examples, etc. There were also endeavors at analysis with the silicone replica method and computerized tomography.
In stone tool research, an estimation of the relationships of exchange from a comparative examination of stone tool assemblages, suppositions about the composite utilization of plant materials from the morphological classification and usage marks of flaked stone axes, and of saddle querns and handstones, etc., and an inference about the system of distribution of commodities from actual examples of storage of polished stone axes, and so forth, were published. In addition, there were discussions on the classification of hand axes and the characteristics of chopping tools. Also, many articles on Gero stone²² were published in an issue of the journal Tōkai sekki kenkyū compiled in memory of Saito Motonari.²³
For stone-made objects, a consideration was made of slit-disc earrings, and the possibility of these items being handed down was pointed out. A nationwide examination was made of production sites for jade objects, and their regionality was indicated. Apart from this, a regional compilation and analysis of large jade beads was made. Also, the significance of the oinezumi type of stamp-shaped stone objects²⁴ was considered.
For objects made of bone, antler, teeth, tusks, and shell, a nationwide compilation was made of perforated shell bracelets made of limpet shells,²⁵ and the possibility that they were brought from the Izu Islands²⁶ was pointed out. There were also articles related to a deer antler carving in the shape of a frog, and to revolving detachable harpoon heads.
A symposium on the theme of “Construction of a theory of Jōmon society based on osteoarchaeology” was held by the Anthropological Society of Nippon.²⁷ Comprehensive examinations were carried out based on the results of analyses of chronology, vegetation, osteological traits, pathology, genome parsing, strontium isotopes, and so forth. Additionally, it was pointed out that the contributions of cultivation to the dietary habits in the latter part of the Final phase were limited, on the basis of radiocarbon dating and carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. Also, a reexamination was conducted based on the results of various types of analysis with regard to a Late phase secondary burial of the type known as shūsekibo.²⁸ Further, a special collection titled “Paleopathology and archaeology” was compiled in the journal Kōkogaku jānaru.²⁹
In zooarchaeology, an anthology was published of works by Akira Matsui, who was the leading force in research in this field.³⁰ From an analysis of faunal remains unearthed from the Sannō-Gakoi³¹ site in Miyagi prefecture, which is located inland, deer and wild boar were the main targets for hunting, and the possibility that they were also taken as materials for bone and horn tools was indicated. It is presumed that some system of management existed regarding wild boars for the Noguni³² shell mound in Okinawa, and also that they were bred in captivity for a certain period of time at the Mukaidai³³ shell mound in Chiba prefecture. In addition, a systematic monograph on Jōmon people and dogs was published.
With regard to floral resources, a special collection was compiled in the journal Shokuseishi kenkyū on the theme of “Paleoenvironmental research regarding low wetland sites of the Kantō Plain.”³⁴ The management of forest resources, the beginning of plant cultivation, the formation of artificial ecosystems, and the composition of forests in the Jōmon period were examined. In addition, papers that examined changes in the use of plants in the Jōmon period, the management of floral resources, and related archaeological features were published. In the analysis of impressions of plant remains in pottery, examples of intentionally embedding soybeans were pointed out, and from an investigation of latent impressions in pottery from the end of the Final phase at the Etsuji³⁵ site, there is a report confirming the existence of foxtail millet, rice, and plants of the Lamiaceae (mint) family.
In site research, criticisms were raised with regard to opinions expressed in the report for the Akyū³⁶ site in Nagano prefecture. Also, a reexamination and clarification of the settlement transition was conducted for a group of features at the Hōshōjiri³⁷ site in Fukuoka prefecture, and a reconstruction was endeavored of the process of formation of the Hōryō³⁸ site in Akita prefecture.
In debate over features, an examination was made of indoor standing stones from the Chūbu highlands to the western Kantō region, and the process of emergence of circular stone features was pursued. Apart from this, a consideration was made of the composition of the group of features of the Ōyu³⁹ stone circles of Akita prefecture.
In research on Jōmon society, the social meaning and functions of rituals were discussed. In addition, the social organization of the Jōmon period, social changes from the Middle to the Late phases, and the status of influential people in Jōmon and Epi-Jōmon society were also examined.

3. Yayoi period
In chronology, radiocarbon dating values were reassessed following the release of the new calibration curve. In addition, as new measurements were published, the accuracy of the dated cases was also questioned.
Based on the current situation in which a certain direction has been obtained for the chronological framework of Yayoi period research, trends in Yayoi society were discussed. In particular, in tandem with the progress of paleoenvironmental research using oxygen isotope dendrochronology, the impact of environmental change on society was discussed in detail. Clarification of the relationship between the environment and society is an issue that applies to every period, and will likely become one that needs pursuing in conjunction with even more diverse factors in the future.
Regarding the spread of Yayoi culture, while the establishment of Ongagawa- style⁴⁰ earthenware and settlements in western Japan were discussed, in the Kanto region, changes in the environment, the acceptance of wet-rice agriculture,conditions of iron implements, and so forth were discussed. With regard to exchange, interactions between regions were considered based on lines of derivation of sarcophagi, and as it was pointed out on the one hand that the raw material for stone tools recovered from the Shimohieda⁴¹ site in Fukuoka prefecture was from Korea, while there was also an opinion that influence from the ancient Chinese state of Yan is visible in the practice of reutilizing pottery for spindle wheels, the field of view for relations of exchange broadened beyond the archipelago. For fishing gear, there were discussions that included relations between the areas of utilization of boats and the changes and regionality of clay and stone net weights, fishing hooks, and so forth.
In relation to the actual state of conflict and combat that arose within Yayoi society, there was an article that detected in changes of flaked stone arrowheads a momentous turning point toward the turmoil of the Late period, and another pointing out that an arrowhead recovered from an injured human skeleton had originated from a different settlement. A similar situation was shown for Epi-Jōmon culture as well. It was also pointed out that scars of injuries extend to women and children, and future investigations into the actualities of conflict are expected.
Highland settlements have been discussed as sites related to conflict in Yayoi society, but there has been a reexamination from new perspectives of their characteristics. Many points of view have been added, such as functions related to acquiring raw materials for the production of wooden implements, the possession of unique copper products, landscapes and viewsheds, and relationships with trends in regional society, and new images of highland settlements are in the process of being drawn.
In research on bronze implements, examinations were advanced of chronology and regional characteristics based on the discovery of clay tools for casting. In addition, there were discussions of the transformation of rituals involving bronze implements, and of the process of formation of Kinai bronze bells (dōtaku ⁴²).
Regarding the raw materials for bronze implements, investigations and analyses have been made of lead isotope ratios. Among these, concrete understanding has been demonstrated regarding the results that show commonalities with items recovered from the Lelang Commandery.⁴³ There are other debates involving lead isotope ratios, and the consistency of understandings is still problematic. Comprehensive consideration will likely be required, including the issue of analytic accuracy.
For economic production, the specialization of craftsmen and the systems of production were discussed with respect to wooden and iron products. The movement of production workers was also under examination.
In pottery research, while detailed chronological studies were advanced regionally, there were also many papers published discussing exchanges and relations of influence based on commonalities between regions in the Late period.
New research methods are being tried in pottery research, such as using three- dimensional measurements and comparing them with scale drawings that are comprised of two-dimensional data. The effectiveness will surely be examined in the future.
In research on stone tools, the production technology for single-edged stone axes, changes in the lines of derivation of stone axes used for felling trees for lumber, and differences in the production sites and circulation of stone harvesting knives were discussed.
In research on beads, the systems of acquisition and circulation of jade, jasper, and green tuff were debated. In addition, the clay paste, the composition and circulation of the products, and so forth were examined for the glass magatama molds excavated from the Uedashi Kita II⁴⁴ site in Shizuoka prefecture. A diachronic study of jade and jasper was also published.
The ritual of offering smashed pottery in relation to the burial system was examined. In addition, compilations were made of basic materials related to the burial system in various regions.

4. Kofun period
In debate over the Kofun period as a whole, a view was published taking the span from the Late Yayoi into the Early Kofun period as an era of transition. From a broader perspective, there was also discussion dealing with the inner portion of the monarchy as well as influential regional groups and chieftains in the fifth and sixth centuries. Regarding periodization, actual conditions in the period referred to as the “Earliest Kofun” and so forth were discussed, along with its significance. In debates over state formation, the construction of monuments, prestige goods, and monetary economy, etc., were taken up, and comparisons made in terms of both global theories and diachronic perspectives on the form of the state. In addition, the characteristics of the Kofun period culture of Wakoku were discussed in terms of iron production and so forth.
Regarding warfare, the conditions and characteristics of war in the Japanese archipelago were debated, and concrete aspects of warfare and its relation with rituals discussed at a symposium held by the National Museum of Japanese History.⁴⁵
In research on tombs, the current status and issues regarding imperial tombs, including those designated as World Heritage, were reviewed, and the need was pointed out for public dissemination of information relevant to the problem. A new perspective was suggested regarding the significance of the base of keyhole-shaped mounds, and discussion was presented finding significance in the shape of the mounds and particularly the relation of the level portion on the top of the mound with the three-dimensional form. Analyses were also made of construction methods of the mound. There was a treatise on mound orientation from the perspective of landscape history.
Regarding stone chambers, there was a study pointing out the existence of a confederacy of powerful clans as background to the adoption of horizontal stone chambers, and the proposal of an “Iki Island-style horizontal stone chamber” based on an examination of the Iki Tomb Group,⁴⁶ a nationally designated Historic Site. In addition, there were points made about the practices of crews of craftsmen who built stone chambers, and a study was published analyzing various lines of derivation of horizontal stone chambers.
In 2021, a variety of research was conducted on artifacts.
Concerning mirrors, a new interpretation was presented on mirrors excavated from the Shikinzan⁴⁷ tomb, and the background to the formation of the triangular- rimmed mirror was discussed. Concerning Early period domestic (imitation) mirrors, there was an investigation of Japanese-made mirrors made through an analysis of the originals that were imitated.
For stone-made objects, a perspective was presented taking the regional expansion of the circulation of material goods and the formation of common economic spheres as background factors to their distribution. There was also a deepening of research on individual items among soft stone imitative articles. For wooden products, the relationship between earthworking tools and the targets for development was discussed. With regard to tools for production, changes in the decorations and blades of point planes were sorted out, and for fishing gear, the regional characteristics of fish hooks and harpoons made of bone and antler were discussed.
As for bodily ornaments, the history of Japanese–Korean exchange, and modes for workshops and products, etc., were depicted as seen through the variety of personal accessories. Also, the image of the occupant of the Eta Funayama⁴⁸ tomb was discussed from a comparison of the gilt-bronze crown excavated from the mound with items of Baekje manufacture. The realities of multi-faceted interactions with Silla were also discussed based on the recoveries of Silla-style gold earrings with pendants. In addition, studies were published that examined the processing and technique of decorating gilt-bronze fish-shaped waist ornaments, and the appearance and lines of derivation of horizontal combs.
A comprehensive anthology on horses and ancient society was published, in which materials related to the initial phase of equestrian culture were compiled and examined. In addition, the current state of research on the distribution and supply of equestrian gear was summarized. In weapons research there were many studies taking up decorated swords. These include topics such as the inscription on an iron sword of the characters 中平,⁴⁹ and the reconstruction of a bulbous-pommeled sword from the Miyajidake tomb.⁵⁰ Also, there was a new proposal for the production system of swords with slanting pommels called keitō.⁵¹ In addition, there were studies published on swords decorated with miwadama,⁵² on craftsmen of Japanese-made ring-pommeled swords, the use of iron arrowheads, and the cuirass excavated from the Inadō⁵³ No. 15 tomb. For armor, discussions were held on trends in immigrant craftsman groups based on the production system of quivers, and on the manner of wearing helmets and changes in their form. In addition, the view was expressed that the meaning of placing armor in burials was politically symbolic.
In research on Haji⁵⁴ ware, in addition to the items named for their resemblance to a “handwarmer”⁵⁵ being taken up, the actualities of interregional exchange were clarified. The relationship of earthenware and rice cooking methods was discussed. In addition, in a research meeting of the Chūgoku Shikoku Keyhole Tomb Research Society there was much discussion about Haji and Sue ware in the Middle Kofun period.⁵⁶ The sequences and transitions for double-rimmed jars were also discussed. For Sueki, the production of Sueki using the rindai ⁵⁷ technique and its application to haniwa ⁵⁸ production were discussed. In addition, the establishment and development of the Higashiyama⁵⁹ kiln and its relationship with the Suemura⁶⁰ kiln were examined. From the study of steaming vessels (koshiki ⁶¹), the process of
the establishment of Sueki production in the Japanese archipelago was described.
In haniwa research, the division of labor among lineages in the Kinai region was described, and there was also a discussion of the clans involved in production. For human figurines, the nature of scenes in which someone is kneeling was discussed.
A reexamination was also conducted of rows of cylindrical haniwa as a means for blocking the view. In addition, an attempt was made to interpret various relationships between chiefs as background for the coexistence of haniwa from different lineages at the same burial mound. Regarding production and supply, differences in supply trends depending on the lineage of haniwa kilns were pointed out. A study was also published interpreting the prevalence of haniwa depicting military figures and government officials in the eastern provinces as attempts to boast the local leaders’ achievements in external activities. In addition, commentaries and general treatises related to haniwa were also published.
In settlement research, the Society for the Ancient Studies of Japan published an anthology that considers social changes based on trends for settlement sites from the Kofun to Asuka periods.⁶² Among individual studies, there was an article linking buildings with verandas on all four sides to chiefly authority, and another looking at the nature of shed-roofed structures as related to rituals and mourning. The transition from the Kofun to the Ancient periods in terms of the measuring scale related to architectural features was examined. A reexamination of the concept of the patriarchal household as collective unit was presented.
With regard to funerary rites, mourning huts (mogariya ⁶³) within the settlement were explored, and changes in mortuary ceremonies for each period were also thoroughly discussed. Concerning tombs, it was pointed out that secondary burial conditions, in which skeletons interred in horizontal stone chambers were not in their original positions, are notable for eastern Japan.
Regarding production, a record of the Society of Archaeological Studies Tōkai Regional Meeting was published, with the results of work sorting out the development of various handicrafts, centering on blacksmithing and the technology of kiln operations. In addition, articles were published that examined various handicrafts related to horses, salt, pottery, and so forth. The relationship between the spread of the breeding and use of horses with related aspects of transportation was examined.
In research on regional society, an attempt was made to reconstruct regional society based on the newest information stemming from the results of field surveys of tombs. There was also an attempt to explore the background to the adoption of keyhole-shaped mounds. An effort to examine the extension of regional control on the part of the Wa monarchy from the perspective of developing water resources was also published. Many books depicting regional images of the Kofun period were published as well. There was also an attempt to interpret burial mounds using a model from Britain. In addition, there was discussion on the relationship between tombs and transportation routes, including debate on the relationship of transportation routes with the earliest horizontal stone stone chambers, and with political ties.
For immigrants and immigrant culture, research was published that examined horses and related materials, and found differences in their aspects in each region. In addition, a view was expressed about the presence of immigrants who came via the Kinki region. There was also a study of steaming vessels derived from the Korean Peninsula that were excavated in the Kantō region.
Regarding international exchange, an encyclopedia summarizing the results of research to date has been published. An article was published asserting that the rulers of various parts of the archipelago conducted diplomacy independently with the Asian continent apart from the state-level diplomacy of Wa. In addition, the view was expressed that in the fifth century diplomacy with Silla, the eastern portion of Izumo would have been the point of contact on the Sea of Japan for negotiations. At the same time, there was an analysis that the nature of negotiations with the peninsula changed before and after the Iwai Rebellion.⁶⁴
The journal Kōkogaku jānaru compiled a collection on “Gender and archeology”⁶⁵ with the aim of writing ancient history from a new perspective. It included discussion of the leadership role of female chieftains. Also, the nature of the kinship group at the Isoma Rock Shelter Site⁶⁶ is discussed based on identifications of gender and consanguineal relations through DNA analysis.
Three-dimensional measurement has spread rapidly in recent years, along with an increase in related research results. The effecacy of three-dimensional measurement was discussed based on practical examples of advances in research on armor, horizontal stone chambers, and defects in molds for producing identical types of mirrors.
In human skeletal research, strontium isotope ratio analysis has been used to discuss the personal histories of individuals closely related to horse breeding groups. In addition, the results of DNA analysis, carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio studies, C14 dating, and so forth have accumulated.

5. Ancient period
In research on Ancient capitals, studies were advanced on the palace and capital city of each period. A meeting of the Society for Research on the Capital City System⁶⁷ saw reexaminations of the structure and process of construction of the Fujiwara Palace Imperial Audience Hall, and of the structure and transitions of the Asuka Capital Site Garden Pond.⁶⁸ For the Nara palace,⁶⁹ there was discussion on the remains of kitchen-related features in the East Palace⁷⁰ sector, on the transition and significance of the Daijōkyū,⁷¹ and the actual condition and significance of the Outer Capital.⁷² At the Naniwa⁷³ palace, a study of the construction process of the Former Naniwa palace was made on the basis of a comparison with the Asuka palace. The character of Front Hall of the Dairi⁷⁴ at the Naniwa palace in the reign of Emperor Shōmu⁷⁵ was discussed. The Jōri Field System/Ancient Urban Research Society⁷⁶ examined the urban structure of the Heian⁷⁷ capital in the early Heian period, and the results were summarized in its journal.⁷⁸ In addition, a special collection titled “The archaeological excavation of Japanese ancient capital, Heian- kyo” was compiled in the journal Kōkogaku jānaru.⁷⁹ Among the contents, the structure of the Heian capital, the city wall, the remains of mansions, and so forth were examined.
Although the annual research meeting of the Ancient Fortified Government Office Sites Study Group was canceled, the materials for the meeting on the theme of glazed stoneware recovered from fortified governement office sites were published.⁸⁰ In addition to a general treatment of the topic, the contents included examinations of the Tagajō⁸¹ and Isawa⁸² Castle sites, and of the southern portions of the Ancient provinces of Michinoku⁸³ and Dewa.⁸⁴ In relation to the Tagajō Castle site, there were studies of the Tagajō Stele⁸⁵ and an analysis of links between the founding of Tagajō and Dazaifu.⁸⁶ Apart from this, there were reports of newly identified fortified government office sites. Also, a comprehensive anthology on fortified government office sites was published.
Regarding hill forts of the Ancient period, the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education published a portion of the results of a special research project on the site of Kikuchi⁸⁷ Castle, including research on the relationship between regional society and horse breeding, and a comparison of the water procurement facilities with ancient hill forts of the Korean Peninsula.
The journal Kikan kōkogaku compiled a special collection on the theme of rock- carved Buddhas and stone pagodas surviving at Ancient period mountain temples. ⁸⁸ The variety of cliff-face carved stone Buddhas and stone monuments in every region was discussed from the perspective of elements that make up temples. In research on sacred mountain sites, presentations were made and a symposium held by the Kyushu Sacred Mountain Site Study Group. The results can be seen in a publication of the materials.⁸⁹
For transportation, the actual condition and functions of the Shimotsumichi,⁹⁰ a main road of the Nara basin, were examined. Also, the nature of the Taburegokoro no mizo,⁹¹ a canal of the period of Empress Saimei,⁹² was approached through a reconstruction of its scale and route. In addition, the significance of ancient roads was discussed comprehensively in conjunction with other facilities of the Ancient state.
In research on temples, a comprehensive treatment on ancient nunneries (Grant- in-Aid for Scientific Research report) was published,⁹³ and as a portion of the results of that research, a study was produced of the roof tiles excavated from Chūgūji⁹⁴ temple. There were also multiple publications of research comprehensively discussing the development of Buddhist temples.
In roof tile research, a symposium on the theme of ornamental ridge-end tiles (shibi ⁹⁵ and onigawara ⁹⁶) and was held by the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties Ancient Tile Research Group, and detailed reports were made on the situation at various places.⁹⁷ Also, a record of the previous symposium was published.⁹⁸ Apart from this, the production of roof tiles around the Ōmi Ōtsu⁹⁹ palace, flat eaves tiles with a modified palmette scroll pattern, roof tiles excavated from the southern portion of Shiga prefecture, tiles of Heijō palace derivation that were excavated from the Tsubakiichi¹⁰⁰ abandoned temple site, round eaves tiles with an early simple-lotus petal design excavated from Dazaifu, tile production technology at the Michinoku provincial headquarters, and so forth were discussed. Additionally, a compilation of Ancient period tiles from the province of Harima¹⁰¹ was published.
In site investigations, confirmation of the site of the pagoda at the Idedera¹⁰² site was reported. Also, at the Sugahara¹⁰³ site in Nara Prefecture, a circular building surrounded by a cloister and possibly a roofed earthen wall was discovered. It is said to have been set up in the middle portion of the eighth century, and to have survived until the beginning of the ninth. Its character is currently being debated. In addition, there were reconsiderations of temple layouts, including the pagoda remains at the Takei abandoned temple,¹⁰⁴ and the main hall of Shitennōji¹⁰⁵ temple at Akita castle.
For published works, an anthology dealing with Prince Shōtoku¹⁰⁶ and Shitennōji temple (in Osaka) was published, containing articles from many fields including archeology, history, art, and architecture. In addition, the annual report Tofurō published a special collection marking the 100 years since the designation as a Historic Site of the Chikuzen provincial monastery and tile kiln.¹⁰⁷ Also, monographs were published with the Nara period temples of Daianji,¹⁰⁸ Hōryūji,¹⁰⁹ and Tōdaiji¹¹⁰ as theme.
Regarding research on burial mounds, the procurement of shells in relation to the interment of cinerary urns following cremation was examined. In addition, concerning burials of cremated remains, an analysis of conditions within a particular site, and a compilation of materials within a region, were carried out.
In settlement research, there was a publication from the Ancient Government Offices/Settlements Research Society on the structure and transitions of Ancient period settlements,¹¹¹ which included analyses of the types of settlements, changes in settlement structure within regions, and changes in settlement structure at archaeological sites.
In relation to the production of metal objects, the seventh and eighth century coin minting agencies were examined. Also, there were discussions of archaeological features related to metal casting, iron working, and so forth.
For studies of ceramics, the production and distribution of Sue ware, and of glazed stoneware of the Ancient provinces of Owari¹¹² and Mino¹¹³ were examined. There was also a study of the significance of a Tang sancai glazed ceramic pillow recovered from the Dewa provincial headquarters. In addition, articles were published on the mode of production of green glazed ceramics and the form of operation of Ancient Sue ware manufacture.
Against the background of recent disasters and the spread of the coronavirus infection, disasters and epidemics of the Ancient period were taken up. A study was published homing in on the actualities of the Jōgan¹¹⁴ tsunami through detailed examination of the deposited strata. In addition, concrete images were shown of social unrest stemming from epidemics, including smallpox at the Nara capital.
In addition to the above research, a special collection on wooden tablets was compiled in Kōkogaku jānaru.¹¹⁵ Also, an anthology titled Horses and Ancient society ¹¹⁶ was compiled, in which articles from various perspectives were published. Other topics taken up include the ancient diet, analysis of charred food remains, and food spoilage due to flies.

6. Medieval period
Many excavations were conducted relating to urban and settlement research. These include investigations of Heian–Kamakura period timber-framed wells built in hexagonal pits, settlements composed of embedded-pillar buildings, and settlements inferred to have been where influential people lived. There were also many other sites for which the nature was inferred from the recovered artifacts, such as the Tarumi Hyūga¹¹⁷ site presumed to be related to a Tōdaiji manor from the excavation of large-scale embedded-pillar buildings and a large-scale well, and a large amount of small biscuit ware dishes. In addition, there were examples as well of investigations at production-related sites for which it was pointed out that Muromachi to Edo period rice paddy remains and fifteenth–sixteenth century blacksmithing-related features matched with historical records. In publications, there was a monograph examining the medieval city of Nara, and an article presenting regionally based research on banquets.
For mansions and castles, many sites were investigated such as the nationally designated Historic Sites of Jōjujidate Castle¹¹⁸ and Hiyama Castle.¹¹⁹ In addition, at the Former Matsunami Castle Garden,¹²⁰ a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty, and at the National Historic Site Makabe Castle,¹²¹ and elsewhere, many garden features were investigated. As publications, the realm of Shimotsuke province in the Sengoku and initial Early Modern periods,¹²² and religious beliefs in relation to fortified residences of the Medieval eastern provinces¹²³ were taken up in monographs. In addition, an anthology titled Castle Research and Archeology was compiled, and a variety of research results were presented.¹²⁴ Also, a symposium focused on the Asakura clan hillfort,¹²⁵ and a symposium commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Ne Castle's designation as a Historical Site¹²⁶ were held.
There were many excavations carried out related to the burial system and religion. Attracting attention among these were the Tsumagitaira site,¹²⁷ which is presumed to be a ritual space of the Kamakura period, the Tsujimachi site, ¹²⁸ where many medieval graves were discovered, and a natural cave site in Okinawa which yielded human skeletal remains with noteworthy characteristics from the Gusuku period.
Regarding production and distribution, a large-scale stone piling from the eleventh to twelfth centuries was discovered at the Hakata¹²⁹ site group, together with imported ceramics. Also, nine new level-ground kilns were discovered at the Mantomi Tōdaiji¹³⁰ tile kiln site, a nationally designated Historic Site. Among publications, there was an introduction to the Medieval temple site Shurasan,¹³¹ and an anthology concerning the Okudaidō.¹³² A meeting of the Ancient Transport Research Society was held, and various issues related to traffic and circulation were presented.¹³³
Trade ceramics were taken up as one of the pillars of research on earthenware and high-fired ceramics, and the trade ceramics of each period were examined in the journal Bōeki tōji kenkyū.¹³⁴ In addition, a special feature was organized on pottery with pillar-shaped pedestals in the journal Chūkinsei doki no kiso kenkyū,¹³⁵ with regional situations examined nationwide, and a comprehensive examination made including the issue of the source of this vessel.
As for research meetings, regular meetings were held by the Japan Society for the Study of Oriental Trade Ceramics¹³⁶ and the Society for Medieval Ware Research,¹³⁷ and an international symposium was held by the Iwate University Center for Hiraizumi Studies,¹³⁸ with lively discussions unfolding on the theme of the international circulation of ceramics.

7. Early Modern period
Many excavations at castles were carried out. Because these are large-scale sites, surveys may be limited to only a part, but they can obtain important knowledge providing clues for considering the overall shape of the site. In an excavation at Iwakitaira¹³⁹ Castle in Fukushima Prefecture, an inner moat was discovered at a location corresponding to a historic pictorial map. An excavation of the main tower’s foundation was conducted at Kōriyama¹⁴⁰ Castle in Nara prefecture, yielding significant results, while at the same time a comprehensive survey of the castle clarified changes in the process of construction for each castle facility, etc., and the results have been published. Diverse artifacts and features were unearthed at the Nakagusuku Udun¹⁴¹ palace in Okinawa prefecture, and the true form of Nakagusuku Udun is being clarified.
Apart from castles, the recovery from the ditch of a city rampart in Kyoto of a stamp used to authenticate a minted silver coin, Keichō chōgin,¹⁴² and the results of the investigation of a grave presumed to be that of Miguel Chijiwa, a member of the Tenshō¹⁴³ embassy to Europe, drew attention. In an investigation at Funai¹⁴⁴ Castle in Oita Prefecture, a reconstruction of the residential lot allocation and the identification of the residents is underway.
In investigations of post stations and highways, the excavation of the Kurihashijuku¹⁴⁵ site in Saitama prefecture has been drawing attention. Among the remains of structures standing in a row, districts have been discerned for a variety of facilities such as inns and blacksmith shops, and the image of a post station on the Nikkō Kaidō¹⁴⁶ is coming to light. At the Maehara¹⁴⁷ site in Nagasaki prefecture, a main road called the Hirado Ōkan¹⁴⁸ and a post town lining that road were investigated, and the actual conditions of a post town spanning the Early Modern to Modern periods is being clarified. In addition, Early Modern and Modern remains of the Hokurikudō¹⁴⁹ have been found in Toyama prefecture.
Investigations clarified many aspects of samurai residences, as many discoveries were made including (in Tokyo prefecture) the estate conferred from the mid Edo period upon the hatamoto Shimada¹⁵⁰ family, residences for corps of low-ranking samurai serving as flag bearers, the mansion of the Honda family who served as governors of Bungo,¹⁵¹ the site of the daimyo residence of the Matsudaira family of the Saijō domain of Iyo province¹⁵²; (in Kanagawa prefecture) the residence of the chief retainer in the third enclosure of Odawara Castle¹⁵³; and (in Osaka prefecture) the warehouse site of the Kurume¹⁵⁴ domain.
Surveys of production sites were also carried out. At the Arioka¹⁵⁵ Castle site in Hyōgo Prefecture, features of the Early Modern and Modern periods related to sake brewing and pressing were discovered. Also, at the Sainohara tatara ¹⁵⁶ (bloomery) site in Tottori prefecture, a transition from an old to a new bloomery and the underground structure were clarified. In addition, a stepped multi-chambered climbing kiln was investigated at the Furukameya shimokama¹⁵⁷ kiln site in Saga prefecture. At the Iwami Ginzan¹⁵⁸ Silver Mine, a World Heritage site, an academic excavation was conducted and a large-scale building standing on foundation stones was discovered, suggesting it was possiby a refinery of the latter half of the Edo period.
Large-scale cemetaries were investigated. The graveyard at the former site of the Rinzai sect temple Ryūkōji¹⁵⁹ was excavated in Tokyo, and many stone chamber burials and jar coffin burials were found. The large-scale cemetery called Umedahaka¹⁶⁰ was confirmed in Osaka prefecture, and a large number of graves comprised of direct inhumations were investigated. In Okinawa prefecture, tunnel- style tombs, and mausolea shaped to resemble a tortoise shell¹⁶¹ or having a gabled roof,¹⁶² were investigated in the Shichabaru kobo¹⁶³ (old tomb) group.
In research on artifacts, ceramics, coins, and so forth were taken up. For ceramics, Volumes 14–15 of Chūkinsei tōjiki no kōkogaku ¹⁶⁴ were published, discussing various issues such as distribution, production, and manufacturing technology. In addition, a special collection on characters written on Early Modern ceramics was compiled in Kōkogaku jānaru.¹⁶⁵ As for coins, an examination was made of items excavated from Early Modern cemeteries.
As research on burial mounds, graveyards of daimyo were taken up, and the size and structure of the stone chambers, and the actual conditions of burial, were discussed.
In addition, the Edo Archaeological Site Research Society held a meeting with the unique theme of “The mouths of Edo period people,”¹⁶⁶ presenting research on oral hygiene, medical care, etc. At research meetings, the Kansai Early Modern Archeology Research Society focused on productive activities such as the production and processing of metals, and sake brewing,¹⁶⁷ and the Early Modern Ceramics Research Society concentrated on Nabeshima ware.¹⁶⁸

8. Modern period
In recent years, many investigations and research are seen for the Modern period as well.
In excavations, there were surveys conducted of the remains of a building from the end of the nineteenth century standing atop a mizuka,¹⁶⁹ of the site of a former army hospital, of features at an army facility destroyed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and so forth. Publications included research on fire-resistant bricks, ceramics, and eaves tiles.
What attracted the most attention in 2021 was the discovery and investigation of the Takanawa Chikutei¹⁷⁰ (embankment). The embankment, which was discovered in extremely good condition lying beneath the JR Yamanote line, is a precious archaeological feature telling the story of railway construction as part of Japan's national policy during the Meiji period. Despite a Heritage Alert being issued from ICOMOS, the major portion of the surveyed area was destroyed, with only a small part surviving as a component of a nationally designated Historic Site. The subsequent treatment of the uninvestigated area will likely have a great impact on issues of preservation for Modern era sites in the future.

Conclusion
Unlike the previous year, which was marked by restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, archaeological research in fiscal 2021 was generally active, and many ambitious works were published.
Research is not limited to archaeological materials, but based on advances in scientific analysis, and it can be said that the field of view has expanded as a whole with the addition of a variety of information on the natural environment, climate change, dating methods, isotope analysis, and so forth. However, it is necessary to evaluate in calm fashion the accuracy of natural scientific analysis, and the range and the limits of the significance shown by its data, and use those data in conjunction with the results of archaeological research. With that in mind, we look forward to further achievements in the future.

1 [Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research, 2021, is a partial translation of “Nihon kōkogaku kenkyū no dōkō” 日本考古学研究の動向, in Nihon kōkogaku nenpō 74 (2021 nendoban) 日本考古学年報 74（2021 年度版) (Archaeologia Japonica 74 [2021 Fiscal Year Issue]) (Nihon Kōkogaku Kyōkai, 2022),pp. 1–40. This essay appears on pp. 1–6, under the Japanese title “Sōsetsu” 総説. It was translated by Walter Edwards, and published by the Japanese Archaeological Association (Nihon Kōkogaku Kyōkai日本考古学協会) online in 2023. To streamline the text, characters for Japanese names and terms, and bibliographic information have been placed in footnotes. When an English translation of the name of an organization or publication (or symposium, etc.) is supplied by the party responsible, this is used with minimum changes in capitalization etc. to conform to the style followed by Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research. Romanized names of individuals are given with the surname followed by the personal name.]
2 辻秀人
3 The fiscal year begins on April 1 of each calendar year.
4 [Translator’s note: The reference to “this volume” denotes the yearbook, Nihon kōkogaku nenpō 74, of which the current item is the introduction, followed by sections summarizing research trends by archaeological period, and then by prefecture.]
5 “Ajia no shinjin bunka wa dono yō ni keisei sareta ka?” アジアの新人文化はどのように形成されたか? (How was modern human culture in Asia formed?), lecture meeting sponsored by “Pareo Ajia bunka shigaku” パレオアジア文化史学 (Cultural history of PaleoAsia), a project funded under the Ministry of Education Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (held as a Zoom Webinar, 4 December 2021).6 “Nihon rettō ni okeru sekijin sekkigun no shutsugen” 日本列島における石刃石器群の出現 (The appearance of blade tool assemblages in the Japanese Archipelago), Iwajuku Fōramu 2021 岩宿フォーラム 2021 (Iwajuku Forum 2021) (Iwajuku Museum, Midori, Gunma, 7 November 2021).
7 “Hokkaidō no kyūsekki jidai to shūdan” 北海道の旧石器時代と集団 (Nature and dynamics of the Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers in Hokkaido), symposium held at the Nihon Kyūsekki Gakkai Dai 19-kai Taikai 日本旧石器学会第 19 回大会 (19th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Palaeolithic Research Association) (held online by Zoom, 19–20 June 2021).
8 神子柴 (Nagano prefecture)
9 小瀬が沢洞窟 (Niigata prefecture)
10 “Yakuraisanroku isekigun o meguru kyūsekki kenkyū no tenkai” 薬莱山麓遺跡群をめぐる旧石器研究の展開 (The development of Paleolithic research involving the Yakuraisanroku site group), a collection of eight articles in Miyagi kōkogaku 宮城考古学 (The Miyagi Archaeology), no. 23 (2021): 7–134.
11 相模野台地 (Kanagawa prefecture)
12 武蔵野台地 (Tokyo and Saitama prefectures)
13 Abe Yoshirō 阿部芳郎, ed., “Doki kenkyū ga hiraku aratana Jōmon shakai” 土器研究が拓く新たな縄文社会 (The new Jomon society opened up by pottery research), a collection of 13 articles in Kikan kōkogaku 季刊考古学 (Archaeology Quarterly), no. 155 (2021): 5–92.
14 [Translator’s note: 無文土器, mumon doki (literally, undecorated or “plain” pottery). There is grow- ing recognition among Japanese archaeologists of the possibility that undecorated pottery found at the Ōdai Yamamoto I ( 大平山元Ⅰ, Aomori prefecture) site and elsewhere is the oldest ceramic stage in Japan. Despite being represented by the same Chinese characters when written in Japanese, this must be distinguished from the Mumun pottery of the Korean peninsula, chronologically much newer and associated with the spread of intensive agriculture.]
15 “Sorishiki doki to sono shūhen” 曽利式土器とその周辺 (Sori-style pottery and its environs), Yamanashi-ken Kōkogaku Kyōkai 2021 Nendo Kenkyū Shūkai 山梨県考古学協会２０２１年度研究集会 (2021 Research Meeting, Yamanashi Prefecture Archaeological Association) (held online, 20–21 November 2021).
16 “Doki kara mita Jōmon jidai kōki kōhan no chiikikan kankei to shakai” 土器からみた縄文時代後期後半の地域間関係と社会 (Interregional relations and society of the latter half of the Jōmon period Late phase seen from pottery), Dai 54-kai Kōkogaku Kenkyūkai Tōkyō Reikai 第 54 回考古学研究会東京例会 (Society of Archaeological Studies 54th Tokyo Regional Meeting) (held online, 7 July 2021).
17 亀ヶ岡式
18 居徳 (Kōchi prefecture)
19 安行式
20 松島湾 (Miyagi prefecture)
21 土偶
22 下呂石
23 齋藤基生; the articles appeared in issue no. 11 (2021) of Tōkai sekki kenkyū 東海石器研 (Tōkai Stone Tool Research)
24 おいねずみ型石冠, also written 老いねずみ形石冠 [Translator’s note: The term sekkan 石冠 (literally, “stone crown”) is applied to a group of enigmatic stone-made items that are chronologically limited largely to the Late and Final phases of the Jōmon period, and described in English as “stamp-shaped stone objects,” often with a knob-like handle and a flat or concave bottom. One variant, the object of the current discussion, presents as a humped shape that is humorously likened, as the name implies, to an “old rat.”]
25 Specifically, bracelets made from a type of limpet called ōtsutanoha オオツタノハ (Patella optima).
26 伊豆諸島 (Tokyo prefecture)
27 “Kotsu kōkogaku ni yoru Jōmon shakairon no kōchiku” 骨考古学による縄文社会論の構築 (Construc- tion of a theory of Jōmon society based on osteoarchaeology), symposium held in conjunction with the Dai 75-kai Nihon Jinrui Gakkai Taikai 第 75 回日本人類学会大会 (75th Meeting of the Anthropological Society of Nippon) (University of Tokyo, 10 October 2021).
28 集積墓 (also called shūkotsubo 集骨墓)
29 “Kobyōrigaku kenkyū to kōkogaku” 古病理学研究と考古学 (Paleopathology and archaeology), a collection of five articles in Kōkogaku jānaru 考古学ジャーナル (The Archaeological Journal), no. 757 (2021): 3–23.
30 Matsui Akira 松井章, Dōbutsu kōkogakuron 動物考古学論 (Zooarchaeology in Japan) (Shinsensha, 2021).
31 山王囲
32 野国
33 向台
34 “Kantō heiya no teishitchi iseki ni okeru kokankyō kenkyū” 関東平野の低湿地遺跡における古環境研究 (Paleoenvironmental research regarding low wetland sites of the Kantō Plain), a special collection of two articles in Shokuseishi kenkyū 植生史研究 (Japanese Journal of Historical Botany), 30 (2022): 5– 34.
35 江辻 (Fukuoka prefecture)
36 阿久
37 法正尻
38 堀量
39 大湯
40 遠賀川式
41 下稗田
42 銅鐸
43 楽浪郡 (on the Korean Peninsula)
44 植出北Ⅱ
45 “Sensō no randosukēpu to senshi shakai” 戦争のランドスケープと先史社会 (Landscape of warfare in prehistoric society), international symposium held by Kokuritsu Rekishi Minzoku Hakubutsukan 国立歴史民俗博物館 (National Museum of Japanese History) (National Museum of Japanese History and online by Zoom, 20 November 2021).
46 壱岐古墳群 (Nagasaki prefecture)
47 紫金山 (Osaka prefecture)
48 江田船山 (Kagoshima prefecture)
49 [Translator’s note: The reference is to a sword excavated from a fourth-century keyhole tomb, Tōdaijiyama 東大寺山, in Nara prefecture, bearing a 24-charcter inscription that includes the sequence中平. This has been interpreted, though not without controversy, as indicating the Chinese era name Zhongping (184–189).]
50 宮地嶽 (Fukuoka prefecture)
51 圭頭
52 三輪玉 (a gem shaped as three bulges in a row)
53 稲童 (Fukuoka prefecture)
54 土師
55 teaburigata doki 手焙り形土器
56 “Chūki kofun kenkyū no genjō to kadai 5: Kofun jidai chūki no Hajiki/Sueki o megutte” 中期古墳研究の現状と課題 5: 古墳時代中期の土師器・須恵器をめぐって (Current state and issues in Middle Kofun research 5: Concerning Haji and Sue ware of the Middle Kofun period), Dai 24-kai Chūgoku Shikoku Zenpōkōenfun Kenkyūkai Kenkyū Shūkai 第 24 回中国四国前方後円墳研究会研究集会 (24th Research Meeting, Chūgoku Shikoku Keyhole Tomb Research Society) (held online, 27–28 November 2021).
57 輪台 [Translator’s note: This is another term for the Tannowa technique, described in a previous translation of Trends in Archaeological Research (“Kofun Period: Research Trends 2007,” note 100). The purpose of building the vessel up from a ring (of vines, etc.) placed on the wheel or stand was ostensibly to help prevent deformation when moving it to a separate location for drying.]
58 埴輪
59 東山 (Aichi prefecture)
60 陶邑 (Osaka prefecture)
61 甑
62 Kodaigaku kenkyūkai 古代学研究会 (Society for the Ancient Studies of Japan), ed., Kofun jidai kara Asuka jidai e: Shūraku iseki no bunseki kara mita shakai henka 古墳時代から飛鳥時代へ: 集落遺跡の分析からみた社会変化 (From the Kofun to Asuka periods: Social change seen from the analysis of settlement sites), (Rokuichi Shobō, 2021).
63 殯屋
64 磐井の乱 (quelled in 528)
65 “Jendā to kōkogaku” ジェンダーと考古学 (Gender and archaeology), a collection of five articles in Kōkogaku jānaru, no. 762 (2021): 3–22.
66 Isoma iwakage iseki 磯間岩陰遺跡 (Wakayama prefecture; a nationally designated Historic Site)
67 Tojōsei Kenkyūkai 都城制研究会
68 Asukakyōato Enchi 飛鳥京跡苑池 (nationally designated as both a Historic Site and a Place of Scenic Beauty)
69 平城宮 (Nara prefecture)
70 Tōin 東院
71 大嘗宮 (a temporary sanctuary hall built on the palace grounds where the emperor conducts the first ceremony after enthronement to offer newly harvested rice and give thanks to the imperial ancestors and the deities)
72 Gaikyō 外京 (the eastern extension of the Nara capital)
73 難波 (Osaka prefecture)
74 Dairi zenden 内裏前殿
75 聖武 (r. 724–749)
76 Jōrisei/Kodai Toshi Kenkyūkai 条里制・古代都市研究会
77 平安 (Kyoto prefecture)
78 Jōrisei/Kodai Toshi Kenkyū 条里制・古代都市研究 (Annals of the Association for Ancient Rural and Urban Studies), no. 37 (2021).
79 “Heiankyōato chōsa no seika” 平安京跡調査の成果 (The archaeological excavation of Japanese ancient capital, Heian-kyo), a collection of five articles in Kōkogaku jānaru, no. 761 (2021): 3–21.
80 Kodai Jōsaku Kanga Iseki Kentōkai 古代城柵官衙遺跡検討会 (Ancient Fortified Government Office Sites Study Group), Kodai Jōsaku Kanga Iseki Kentōkai: Shiryōshū Dai 48-kai 古代城柵官衙遺跡検討会:資料集第 48 回 (Materials of the 48th Meeting, Ancient Fortified Government Office Sites Study Group) (Executive Committee for the 48th Meeting, 2022).
81 多賀城 (Miyagi prefecture)
82 胆沢 (Iwate prefecture)
83 陸奥 (modern Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, Aomori prefectures, and a portion of Akita prefecture)
84 出羽 (modern Yamagata and Akita prefectures)
85 多賀城碑 Tagajō Stele
86 太宰府 (Fukuoka prefecture)
87 鞠智
88 Sagawa Shin’ichi 狭川真一, ed., “Yamadera to sekizōbutsu kara mita kodai” 山寺と石造物からみた古代 (The Ancient period seen from mountain temples and stone monuments), a collection of 22 articles in Kikan kōkogaku, no. 156 (2021): 14–93.
89 Hōmanzan no kodai sangaku shinkō 宝満山の古代山岳信仰 (The Ancient mountain worship of Mount Hōman), materials from the Dai 11-kai Kyūshū Sangaku Reijō Iseki Kenkyūkai 第 11 回九州山岳霊場遺跡研究会 (11th Meeting, Kyushu Sacred Mountain Site Study Group) (held at Dazaifu Tenmangū Shrine, Fukuoka, 31 October 2021).
90 下ツ道
91 狂心渠
92 斉明 (r. 655-661)
93 Shimizu Akihiro 清水昭博, Nihon kodai amadera no kōkogakuteki kenkyū 日本古代尼寺の考古学的研究 (Archaeological investigations of Buddhist nunneries in Early Japan), MEXT Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research report (project number 17K03221) (Tezukayama University, 2022).
94 中宮寺 (Nara prefecture)
95 鴟尾
96 鬼瓦
97 “Shibi/onigawara no tenkai 2: Onigawara” 鴟尾・鬼瓦の展開 II: 鬼瓦 (The development of shibi and onigawara 2: Onigawara), Nara Bunkazai Kenkyūjo Kodaigawara Kenkyūkai Dai 21-kai Shinpojiumu 奈良文化財研究所古代瓦研究会第 21 回シンポジウム (Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Proper- ties Ancient Roof Tiles Research Group 21st Symposium) (held online, 5 February 2022).
98 Shibi/onigawara no tenkai 1: Shibi 鴟尾・鬼瓦の展開 I: 鴟尾 (The development of shibi and onigawara 1: Shibi), a record of the Nara Bunkazai Kenkyūjo Kodaigawara Kenkyūkai Dai 20-kai Shinpojiumu 奈良文化財研究所古代瓦研究会第 20 回シンポジウム (Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Proper- ties Ancient Roof Tiles Research Group 20th Symposium) (held at Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, 1–2 February 2020).
99 近江大津 (Shiga prefecture)
100 椿市 (Fukuoka prefecture)
101 播磨 (Hyōgo prefecture)
102 井手寺 (Kyoto prefecture)
103 菅原 (Nara prefecture)
104 武井廃寺 (Gunma prefecture)
105 四天王寺 (Akita prefecture)
106 聖徳
107 “Chikuzen kokubunji ato/kokubun gayō ato: Shiseki shitei 100 nen” 筑前国分寺跡・国分瓦窯跡: 史跡指定 100 年 (Chikuzen Kokubunji Site/Kokubu Tile Kiln Site: 100 years as a nationally designated His - toric Site), a special collection in Tofurō 都府楼 (Tofurō), no. 53 (2022).
108 大安寺 (Nara prefecture)
109 法隆寺 (Nara prefecture)
110 東大寺 (Nara prefecture)
111 Nara Bunkazai Kenkyūjo 奈良文化財研究所 (Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Proper- ties) ed., Kodai shūraku no kōzō to hensen 1 古代集落の構造と変遷 1 (Structure and transitions of Ancient settlements), report from the Dai 24-kai Kodai Kanga/Shūraku Kenkyūkai 第 24 回古代官衙·集落研究集会 (24th Research Meeting of the Ancient Government Offices/Settlements Research Society) (Nara Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, 12 December 2020).
112 尾張 (Aichi prefecture)
113 美濃 (Gifu prefecture)
114 貞観 [Translator’s note: The tsunami was caused by an earthquake occurring in the fifth month of the year Jōgan 11 (869), with the epicenter inferred to have been off the Pacific coast of the Tōhoku region, and the magnitude estimated as at least M8.4.]
115 “Nana seiki mokkan” 7 世紀木簡 (The 7th century wooden tablets), a collection of five articles in Kōkogaku jānaru, no. 759 (2021): 3–21.
116 Sasaki Ken’ichi 佐々木虔一, Kawajiri Akio 川尻秋生, Kurozumi Kazuhiko 黒済和彦, eds., Uma to kodai shakai 馬と古代社会 (Horses and Ancient society) (Yagi Shoten, 2021).
117 垂水日向 (Hyōgo prefecture)
118 聖寿寺館 (Aomori prefecture)
119 檜山城 (Akita prefecture)
120 旧松波城庭園 (Ishikawa prefecture)
121 真壁城 (Ibaraki prefecture)
122 Arakawa Yoshio 荒川善夫, Sengoku kinsei shoki no Shimotsuke sekai 戦国・近世初期の下野世界 (The Sengoku/initial Early Modern realm of Shimotsuke) (Tōkyōdō Shuppan, 2021).
123 Saitō Shin’ichi 齋藤慎一, Chūsei Tōgoku no shinkō to jōkan 中世東国の信仰と城館 (Religious beliefs and fortified residences of the Medieval eastern provinces) (Koshi Shoin, 2021).
124 Nakai Hitoshi Sensei Taishoku Kinen Ronshū Kankōkai 中井均先生退職記念論集刊行会 (Committee for Pulication of a Commemorative Anthology for Prof. Nakai Hitoshi’s Retirement), ed., Jōkaku kenkyū to kōkogaku: Nakai Hitoshi sensei taishoku kinen ronshū 城郭研究と考古学: 中井均先生退職記念論集 (Castle research and archaeology: An anthology commemorating Professor Nakai Hitoshi’s retire - ment) (Hikone, Shiga prefecture: Sanraizu Shuppan, 2021).
125 “Shin shiten Asakurashi no yamashiro” 新視点朝倉氏の山城 (New perspective on the Asakura clan hillfort), symposium held by the Fukui Kenritsu Ichijōdani Asakurashi Iseki Shiryōkan 福井県立一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡資料館 (Fukui Prefectural Ichijodani Asakura Family Site Museum) (Fukui, 8 January 2022).
126 “Nejō saikō 2: Sengoku daimyō to kunishū no shiro” 根城・再考Ⅱ: 戦国大名と国衆の城 (Reconsider- ing Ne Castle 2: A castle of Sengoku daimyo and local lords), symposium commemorating the 80th anniversity of designation as a Historic Site (Hachinohe, Aomori prefecture, 28 November 2021).
127 妻木平 (Gifu prefecture)
128 辻町 (Ehime prefecture)
129 博多 (Fukuoka prefecture)
130 万富東大寺 (Okayama prefecture)
131 Egami Tomoe 江上智恵, Hakata shūen no chūsei sanrin jiin: Shurasan iseki 博多周縁の中世山林寺院:首羅山遺跡 (A Medieval mountain temple in the Hakata environs: The Shurasan site) (Shinsensha, 2021).
132 Eda Ikuo 江田郁夫 and Yanagihara Toshiaki 柳原敏昭, Okudaidō: Chūsei no Kantō to Mutsu o musunda michi 奥大道: 中世の関東と陸奥を結んだ道 (Okudaidō: The Medieval road linking Kantō and Mutsu) (Koshi Shoin, 2021).
133 “Kodai/Chūsei ikōki no kōtsū to saishi” 古代・中世移行期の交通と祭祀 (Transport and ritual of the Ancient/Medieval transition period), Kodai Kōtsū Kenkyūkai Dai 21-kai Taikai 古代交通研究会大会第 21 回大会 (Ancient Transport Research Society 21st Meeting) (held online, 26–27 June 2021).
134 貿易陶磁研究 (Trade Ceramics Studies)
135 “Chūjō kōdai doki o kangaeru” 柱状高台土器を考える (Considering pottery with pillar-shaped pedestals), special feature in Chūkinsei doki no kiso kenkyū 中近世土器の基礎研究 (Basic Research on Medieval and Early Modern Ceramics), no. 38 (2021).
136 “Saikin no wadai no iseki/chūmoku sareru kenkyū kara” 最近の話題の遺跡・注目される研究から (Sites of recent interest: From noteworthy research), Dai 41-kai Nihon Bōeki Tōji Onrain Kenkyūkai 第 41 回日本貿易陶磁オンライン研究集会 (41st [Online] Meeting, Japan Society for the Study of Oriental Trade Ceramics) (held online 19 September 2021).
137 “Yunyū tōjiki to kokusan doki/tōjiki: Ruiji to mohō” 輸入陶磁器と国産土器・陶磁器: 類似と模倣 (Imported ceramics and domestically produced wares: Similarities and imitations), Dai 39-kai Chūsei Doki Kenkyūkai 第 39 回中世土器研究会 (39th Meeting of the Society for Medieval Ware Research) (Shiga Kenritsu Daigaku, 4 December 2021).
138 “11–14 seiki ni okeru Chūgoku tōji no seisan to ryūtsū: Nihon/Chūgoku no jirei o chūshin to shite” 11～14 世紀における中国陶磁の生産と流通: 日本・中国の事例を中心として (Production and distribution of Chinese ceramics in the eleventh–fourteenth centuries: Focusing on Japanese and Chinese examples), international symposium held by the Iwate Daigaku Hiraizumi Bunka Kenkyū Sentā 岩手大学平泉文化研究センター (The Iwate University Center for Hiraizumi Studies) (Iwate Daigaku and online, 20 February 2022).
139 磐城平
140 郡山
141 中城御殿
142 慶長丁銀 (minted from 1601)
143 天正 [Translator’s note: The Tenshō embassy comprised four Japanese Christians who left Nagasaki in 1582, the 10th year of the Tenshō era, and traveled to Europe, returning in 1590. Miguel Chijiwa subsequently died in Nagasaki, where the site presumed as his grave is located.]
144 府内
145 栗橋宿
146 日光街道
147 前原
148 平戸往還
149 北陸道
150 嶋田
151 本多豊後守
152 伊予西条藩松平家
153 小田原城三の丸
154 久留米
155 有岡
156 才ノ原たたら
157 古瓶屋下窯
158 石見銀山
159 龍興寺
160 梅田墓
161 kaaminakuubaka 亀甲墓
162 hafuubaka 破風墓
163 下原古墓
164 Sasaki Tatsuo 佐々木達夫, ed., Chūkinsei tōjiki no kōkogaku 中近世陶磁器の考古学 (The archaeology of Medieval and Early Modern ceramics), Vols. 14–15, (Yuzankaku, 2021).
165 “Kinsei tōjiki doki ni kakareta moji” 近世陶磁器土器に書かれた文字 (Characters on Early Modern ceramics and earthenware, and those manufacturers), a collection of five articles in Kōkogaku jānaru, no. 754 (2021): 3–21.
166 “Edojidaijin no kuchi” 江戸時代人の口 (The mouths of Edo period people), Dai 34-kai Edo Iseki Kenkyūkai Taikai 第 34 回江戸遺跡研究会大会 (34th Meeting of the Edo Archaeological Site Research Society) (held online, 29–30 January 2022).
167 “Kinsei toshi no hatten to sangyō” 近世都市の発展と産業 (Development and industry of Early Modern cities), Dai 31-kai Kansai Kinsei Kōkogaku Kenkyūkai Taikai 第 31 回関西近世考古学研究会大会 (31st Meeting of the Kansai Early Modern Archaeology Research Society) (Ōtemae Daigaku and online, 4–5 December 2021).
168 “Edo jidai ni Sagahan ga tokubetsu atsurae shita Nabeshimayaki no tokushitsu” 江戸時代に佐賀藩が特別誂えした鍋島焼の特質 (Unique characteristics of Nabeshima ware specially ordered by the Saga domain in the Edo period), Dai 10-kai Kinsei Tōji Kenkyūkai 第 10 回近世陶磁研究会 (10th Meeting of the Early Modern Ceramics Research Society) (Imari, Saga prefecture, 12–13 February 2022).
169 水塚 [Translator’s note: Also read mizutsuka and mitsuka, this was an elevated building foundation constructed in regions prone to frequent flooding from nearby rivers, atop of which a storehouse was built to serve as a place of refuge when flood waters inundated the area. Typically a two-story structure, the storehouse would have an upper floor for temporary living, with storage space for rice and other valuable commodities below.]
170 高輪築堤 [Translator’s note: A portion of the embankment was added in 2021 to the nationally designated Historic Site of the Former Shimbashi Station, which was then re-designated as the Former Shimbashi Station Site and Takanawa Chikutei Site.]

Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research, 2021
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Overview: Japanese Archaeological Research Trends 2020¹
Tsuji Hideto²

Fiscal³ 2020 was the year when the novel coronavirus infection spread in earnest, with all of Japanese society frightened at its horror, and how to protect society became the greatest issue. A national state of emergency was twice declared, and many social activities were forced to cease or be postponed.
Japanese archaeological research also confronted this crisis situation. The Japanese Archaeological Association was forced to adopt irregular measures such as conducting a vote by mail for the agenda of its 86th General Meeting, which had been scheduled for June, and it could not hold the research presentations. Further, the Association’s 2020 Autumn Meeting scheduled for Kanazwa was postponed. Many other academic associations and research societies were similarly forced to cease or postpone their activities.
Meanwhile, archaeological research on the part of individuals, research groups, and research institutes has been steadily progressing, and producing results. There were also many publications of research monographs delving into those results.
What follows will outline the results of research published in the 2020 fiscal year for each period in turn.

1. Paleolithic period
The existence of a Lower and Middle Paleolithic in the Japanese archipelago was debated. The direct subjects of discussion are materials that were recovered from the Iriguchi⁴ site in Nagasaki prefecture and a stone tool collected from the Hatchōdaira⁵ site in Shizuoka prefecture, with the contents of debate involving the their chronological assessments, technological basis, determinations of authenticity, and so forth. Discussions have proceeded with caution, due to critical reflection following the Paleolithic Hoax that occurred in 2000. The direction of debate remains undetermined at present, and future developments will be carefully watched. It is hoped that a comprehensive understanding may be built up that will encompass other materials discussed thus far, such as those recovered from the Sunabara⁶ site in Tottori and the Kanadori⁷ site in Iwate prefectures.
There is deepening debate over the chronological position of stone tool assemblages assessed as dating from the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic. The main issues are conditions at the start of the Upper Paleolithic, the relations and timing of any derivation from Central Asia, the relationship with the spread of Homo sapiens, and so forth. There are also articles that discuss the possibility of the existence of stone tools belonging to the Middle Paleolithic.
For the period of transition from the Paleolithic to the Jōmon, there was debate on the relationship between the climatic change that has been clarified in recent years and the appearance of earthenware, the form of residence, changes in the form of stone tools, etc. There is also research advancing discussion of exchanges between social groups from the perspective of ceramic petrology and stone tool manufacturing technology, and future developments are anticipated.
The results of long-continuing research on use-wear analysis have also been published. The framework of the research conducted thus far was systematically presented, and the foundations of research put in order. New understandings created from the results of use-wear research are hopefully forthcoming.

2. Jōmon period
For the Jōmon period, a variety of research unfolded on artifacts, and in studies related to settlements and to the Jōmon people.
In ceramics research, the search for the oldest stage of pottery, and interregional relations based on constructions of wide-area chronologies were discussed.
Regarding the oldest Jōmon pottery, questions were raised about mumon ⁸ or plain pottery, which has been assessed as the oldest stage. Also, the age of the appearance of pottery for East Asia as whole was examined, providing a new basis for discussion of the date of the emergence of Jōmon pottery.
There were a number of attempts at creating wide-area chronologies. One of these was constructed for the central portion of Honshu, from the Tōhoku to the Kinki regions, using as its axis the Moroiso⁹ style of assemblages from the latter portion of the Early Jōmon phase. Also, a wide-area chronology was provided for the middle portion of the Late phase, in which differences between the eastern and western portions of the archipelago and their backgrounds were discussed, based on compositions of assemblages, settlement structure, shapes of dwellings and so forth. Further, for the northern Tōhoku region a presentation was made of the transition from the Ōbora A' style to the Nimaibashi style of the Yayoi period, along with an examination of dwellings and the system of trade, and multi-layered social and cultural changes in the period of transition from the Jōmon to the Yayoi were discussed.
These are likely to be important studies that will put the results of chronological research to use in clarifying the actual conditions of Jōmon society.
In discussions regarding pottery utilization, which had been an issue since the Hidabito debate,¹⁰ there is the approach of lipid residue analysis of the contents of pottery. On the one hand, indices for marine fauna were detected in the contents of Umataka¹¹ style pottery from Niigata prefecture, while indices characteristic of millet were found for Final phase Jōmon pottery on the other, pointing to the cultivation of cereals for this period.
These results show that lipid analysis is effective for considering the dietary habits of Jōmon people. It is possible that even greater results can be obtained through comparative examinations with stable isotope analysis, which has become widespread in recent years.
In research on clay figurines, special journal features and collections were published, and the distributions and other attributes of these materials were discussed.
For stone tools, systematic and comprehensive summaries were made of research. Stone tool-making techniques were also discussed.
Regarding stone tool use, ground stone tools and stone plates were examined with use-wear trace analysis, and an inference was made of the mode of utilization of deer antler axes from comparison with folk examples.
Systematic classification was conducted for wooden tools and implements, and examination made of their various uses.
In research on recovered skeletal materials, DNA analysis has become widely used. Also, there is research approaching burial systems through the analysis of skeletal remains.
There were also many examinations made of the relationships between Jōmon people and the natural realm.
The actual conditions of use of the sika (Japanese) deer were discussed, and the relations with cultivation and methods of use were examined based on the identification of excavated legume seeds.
There were many reports of results based on the method of silicone replica studies of impressions in pottery, which has rapidly become widespread in recent years. Using the replica method, from the size of seeds of shiso (genus Perilla), the existence of examples showing characteristics intermediate between pristine shiso and egoma (Perilla frutescens) has been pointed out, and the temporally and regionally biased distributions of pottery with large amounts of these seeds admixed was discussed. Also, it was clarified that many examples of a previously unidentified bulb resemble the Japanese jacinth (Barnardia japonica). Analyses utilizing X-rays are also being advanced.

3. Yayoi period
As the understanding that the beginning of the Yayoi period goes back becomes widespread, research is underway to reconsider what is the Yayoi period and Yayoi culture. In addition, with the adoption of oxygen isotope dendrochronology and spread of the use of AMS radiocarbon dating, it has become possible to know detailed chronologies. As a result, investigations are being made of climate change, settlement dynamics, and so forth based on a fine chronological axis.
In addition, with the increase in data, research is being published that examines trends in specific regions from multiple perspectives such as pottery, stone tools, wooden implements, and settlement dynamics, receiving high praise.
The silicone replica method is being utilized, and concrete conditions of livelihood and agriculture in Yayoi society are being elucidated. The true state of paddy farming in the northern part of the Tōhoku region, and the livelihood of the Middle Yayoi period and so forth are being pursued bit by bit. In addition, a realistic picture of Yayoi agriculture is under examination with the methodology of experimental archaeology. The detailed shape of Yayoi livelihood is gradually coming to light, and further results are anticipated.
In settlement debate, reexamination was made of highland settlements from an analysis of stone tool assemblages. In addition, relationships with the Korean peninsula were pointed out based on the analysis of archaeological features such as the structure of earthen stoves in northern Kyushu. All of these issues will be further examined in the future.
For burials, there was discussion of burial norms, and consequently of relations between and within social groups that maintain cemeteries.
Ritual practices such as the smashing of votive pottery in connection with mortuary rites were taken up, and interregional exchanges were examined. For coffins, a comprehensive typological classification was made for wooden and composite stone coffins, with regional differences etc. discussed. A symposium on the theme of east–west wide-area exchange was jointly held by research groups from eastern and western Japan, and the resulting papers were published.¹² This is drawing attention as an endeavor indicating future research approaches. Also, international relations were discussed based on pottery of Chinese derivation, and further developments are anticipated.
Regarding recovered artifacts, there are examinations being made about the existence of balance beam weights. Also, a search is being carried out for inkstones. Either of these pose significant issues about the nature of Yayoi society, and their confirmation and verification are required.
In ceramics research the period of transition from the Jōmon to Yayoi was taken up, with chronological studies continuing to be conducted.
For research on stone tools, the clarification of relations among items made from the same stone material, relations of the compositions of stone tool assemblages with forest resources and settlements, harvesting tools made of stone, stone axes with projecting spurs, and so forth were discussed. Also, the issue of conversion to iron tools as seen through an analysis of whetstones is being debated, and is drawing attention.
In research on iron objects, the technology of iron tool production in eastern Japan is being pursued. Also, in recent investigations features of iron forging have been ascertained, and along with the concrete conditions of iron tool manufacture being clarified, the work of detecting iron production features in older site reports is being carried out.
In bronze implement research, work was advanced on the analysis of bronze whorl ornaments, on comparative examinations with the Korean peninsula and China, on conditions of bronze implement production, and so forth.
There were also plentiful results of research related to beads. Examinations are being made of the state of bead production and circulation in the Hokuriku region, of the circulation of cylindrical beads of crystalline quartz used as grave goods, of the circulation of cylindrical beads in the Tōhoku region, and of jasper cylindrical beads in northern Tōhoku. There is also research aimed at reading social trends from changes in the circulation of beads between the Yayoi and Kofun periods in western Japan.

4. Kofun period
In debate over the monarchy, which aims at the social structure of the Kofun period, there are treatises seeking out the nature of the monarchy through comprehensive analyses of bronze mirrors or the structure of mounded tombs. The debate should be deepened, including through comparative examination of the grounds for argument of existing theories of the monarchy. Also, through reconstructions of images of various regions, their separate conditions and the diversity of their relations with the monarchy are being discussed. This direction should probably be advanced in the future.
In research on tombs, highly precise reports were published, providing a wealth of information. Among these, a comprehensive report on mounded tombs and subterranean horizontal tombs of southern Kyushu, the southernmost extent of Kofun culture, drew attention.
Opinions were exchanged at a symposium on the Higashinomiya tomb in Aichi prefecture,¹³ and an exhibition was held on the occasion of the completion of conservation and preservation work on the Watanuki Kannon’yama tomb in Gunma prefecture, with the results compiled in the catalog.¹⁴
In the Hitachi region, research on regional tombs continues to be advanced, and the results are being summarized.
In the Tōhoku region, preliminary results of investigating the Haizukayama¹⁵ tomb were reported,¹⁶ and opinions were exchanged. The Haizukayama tomb has become basic material for research on the Middle Kofun period as the first example for which the entire scope of the tomb has come to light in the Tōhoku region.
In addition to the above, a variety of studies were carried out in every region, including research on the morphology and planning of mounds, the regional development of tombs, their special characteristics and their grave goods, the process of transition to the ritsuryō era, tombs in the form of piled stone mounds, and immigrants.
In work on horizontal (tunnel) tombs, there was research from the new perspective of approaching the political structure from tunnel tombs. Also, along with discussion of the derivation of house-shaped tunnel tombs, their characteristics were pursued for each region. Papers were also published on practices of reburial, on intergroup relations, and on relations with local topography and geology.
For burial facilities, horizontal stone chambers were mainly taken up, and their regional characteristics, use of space, and the derivation of specialized forms were discussed.
With regard to mortuary practices, multiple burials within a single sarcophagus,acts of burial, and the mortuary process and so forth were discussed.
Many studies of artifacts were also published.
For mirrors, comparative examinations were made of the lead isotope ratios for same-mold triangular rimmed mirrors, and for mirrors that were buried simultaneously in Early Kofun period tombs. In addition, examinations were made of the technology of production and of repair.
In research on weapons and armor, there were discussions such as reexaminations of the derivation of decorative swords, of the problem of bent iron implements,¹⁷ and of leather-sewn triangular iron plate cuirasses.
For personal ornaments, the handing down of comma-shaped beads, and the pattern of decoration of the crown recovered from the Sanmaizuka¹⁸ tomb in Ibaraki prefecture were discussed. For stone objects (of jasper, steatite), there was research on separate types of item, and regional developments were discussed.
In haniwa research, in addition to examinations of individual groups of haniwa, enclosure-shaped haniwa, and the expressions on the faces of human-shaped haniwa were the subjects of research. Also, the production system of haniwa and the meaning of haniwa placements were pursued.
In research on Haji¹⁹ ware, investigations into ceramic conditions at the start of the Kofun period were continued, with debate on the relations in parallel between regions. There were also many studies exploring the utilization of pottery from use- wear traces and vessel capacity, and so forth.
In Sue²⁰ ware research, the conditions of regional pottery productive systems, relations between the chiefdom system and the social division of labor, interregional comparative research, the conditions at the time of appearance of Sue ware per region, the initial stage of Sue ware, and so forth were discussed. Also, the dates of Sue ware, and rituals of offering were examined.
In debate regarding settlements, from the perspective of the supply of iron materials and iron implements at the Hakata site group of northern Kyushu, a systematic understanding, and the relationship with the process of formation of the Yamato monarchy, were discussed. There were also examinations of the development of settlements in each region. The concrete conditions of littoral settlements, which have gathered attention in recent years, and of settlements damaged by the eruption of Mt. Fuji, were also discussed.
Regarding the products of immigrant culture, steaming pots with multiple holes, beads, Korean-style earthenware and so forth were taken up, and their significance considered. In exchange with the Korean peninsula, the parallel relations between northern Kyushu and the Yeongnam region, mounded tombs of Japanese derivation, interregional exchange, and so forth, were discussed by Japanese and Korean researchers.

5. Ancient period
In ancient capitals research, a comprehensive collection of papers centered on the Naniwa palace was published.²¹ Although it is not possible to elaborate on the details, the date of construction of the Former Naniwa palace, relationships with Chinese capitals and with foreign diplomacy, ritual space, the structure of the Latter Naniwa palace, problems regarding the Heijō (Nara) capital and palace, the use of residential land in the capital, the relation between capital construction and mounded tombs, problems involving the Nagaoka capital, and so forth—various issues from the construction of the Naniwa palace to the Heian period are discussed by front-line researchers in archaeology and ancient history. It has become an indispensable collection of papers for research on ancient capitals. In addition, other comprehensive articles have been published, marking one of the high points of achievement in ancient capital research.
Multiple problems regarding the Nagaoka capital were debated in a research meeting held online, due to the coronavirus pandemic, by the Jōri Field System/Ancient Urban Research Society.²² Also included were reports on the Miyataki²³ site, Saikū Historic Site,²⁴ Shigaraki Palace²⁵ site, Dazaifu²⁶ site, and so forth.
For government office sites, features of the Dazifu site, and the characteristics of ninth century fortresses of the Tōhoku region were discussed.
In research on provincial headquarters, research results were summarized by regions (seven circuits),²⁷ clarifying the levels of attainment for various provinces.
In research on district headquarters, aspects of ancient seats of local government and regional society were summarized. The relationship between the establishment of district headquarters and immigrants, reconstructions of large-scale buildings, approaches from documentary materials, and trends in regional society in the Asuka period were discussed. In addition, various issues related to ancient Tago²⁸ district were debated at a symposium concerning the Three Stelae of Kōzuke.²⁹
For transportation there was discussion from the standpoint of documentary history on urban street grids and the jōri field system, the system of post stations and planned roads, water transport and the distributive economy.³⁰ It is necessary to examine the consistency of these observations with the results of archaeology. In addition, discoveries based on excavation of ancient roads were reported. Also, based on high-precision topographical observations the existence of ancient road cuts was pointed out. This is a method that is worth consideration in the future.
In research on temples, based on nationwide examinations of ancient temples, the nature of regional temples as clan temples was debated anew. This theme will probably see further discussion in the future. Also, research results related to Tōdaiji³¹ were systematically summarized, and provided as a basis for subsequent research.³²
Regarding handicraft production, the topics of regional development and Sue ware, and charcoal and salt production were discussed. The perspectives of salt production and distribution and the resettlement of Emishi were also presented. The results of many years of research related to the Kosai³³ kiln group have been summarized and discussed with regard to the social division of labor.
There was wide-ranging research on artifacts. In ceramics studies, there was a special collection on the dishes used for votive lamps, with examples from various locations examined.³⁴ Also, there was a report on glazed pottery from the Taga fort site.³⁵ In tile research, manufacturing technology was pursued, and based on the results, the activities and lines of derivation of the artisans were discussed. In addition, there were discussions of ceramic inkstones, recoveries of wooden tablets, and tiles inscribed with personal names.
In research on migrants, there was comprehensive discussion from the perspectives of both documentary history and archaeology on the establishment of immigrant districts, Kudara-gun³⁶ in the west and Koma-gun³⁷ in the east, the date of establishment of Kudaradera³⁸ temple, developments of the Baekje royal clan, the forced displacement of settled immigrants to the eastern provinces, the establishment of Koma-gun and the development of handicraft production, immigrant settlements, and so forth.³⁹

6. Medieval period
For the Medieval period, many archaeological excavations were conducted.
At the Tokusada A/B⁴⁰ site in Fukushima prefecture, the entire image of the settlement from the Heian into the Kamakura periods has been clarified in terms of embedded-pillar buildings and pit-shaped features, etc., and other settlement- related sites are also being investigated.
For the Muromachi period, diverse artifacts were recovered from the Nagasaki ⁴¹ site in Fukui prefecture, and it is regarded as the residential grounds of a powerful figure. Other long-term settlements spanning the Late Heian to the Muromachi periods have been ascertained.
Trade ceramics were recovered from the Shirayama⁴² site in Hiraizumi,⁴³ and features were found that consist of large-scale embedded-pillar buildings, wells, and fences, thought to be the residence of a powerful person. At the Hakata ⁴⁴ site group, an extremely large piled stone feature yielding great amounts of trade ceramics was detected, and is thought to be a feature related to the harbor. Other features related to cities and settlements have been discovered as well.
There were also many investigations of mansions and castles. Starting with National Historic Sites such as the Shōjujidate Castle,⁴⁵ Kunohe Castle,⁴⁶ and Nanao Castle⁴⁷ sites, investigations at many mansion and castle sites yielded results. Also, in addition to land surveying results, airborne laser (lidar) scanning is being utilized, and new results have been obtained. In addition, the remains of garden ponds have been found at Odawara Castle⁴⁸ and other places.
Articles were published summarizing the status and results of research on castles and fortified mansions. Castles related to the Nanbu clan were examined and summarized from both documentary history and archaeology.⁴⁹ In Mino⁵⁰ and Owari,⁵¹ changes in the spatial structure of cities during the Sengoku period were indicated,⁵² arousing debate. In Kyushu, a compilation was made on the castles of each region with an eye towards conditions of the local environment and the samurai.⁵³
Regarding the burial system and religion, research on stone monuments has been accumulating.
For stone monuments from the late Medieval into the Early Modern period, the stone materials and differences in morphology and so forth from Kyushu to the Tōhoku region were debated. Also, the perspective was offered that influences to stone monuments emerged among exchanges with the East Asian realm. Research is being advanced in each region, and from the analysis of stone stupas distributed from the Tōhoku to the Chūbu regions the diffusion and regional aspects are being debated according to the type of item. In Kyushu, in addition to stone stupas, the conditions of religious belief and temples, and of temple bells and so forth were comprehensively examined, and the special characteristics of Kyushu and its regionality were discussed.
Regarding production and distribution, various issues concerning ceramics were discussed. Multiple routes for the circulation of trade ceramics were posited, and the possibility was touched upon of smuggling with regards to celadons and white porcelain. There was also discussion on the production and circulation in the Hokuriku and Tōhoku regions of ceramics derived from Tokoname⁵⁴ ware.

7. Early Modern period
In settlement research, in conjunction with the construction of the Yanba⁵⁵ Dam, a village that was buried by the Tenmei Mudflow⁵⁶ was excavated, yielding abundant artifacts and features, and providing precious materials for the reconstruction of an Early Modern village.⁵⁷
For burials, the history of research on Early Modern grave markers was summarized, along with their transitions based on a classification according to form.⁵⁸ Also, there was an examination of barrel-style coffins, and their relations with urban characteristics was discussed.
Regarding production, there were examinations made of Imari⁵⁹ ware, Karatsu⁶⁰ ware, Kyō⁶¹ ware, Hizen⁶² porcelain, and Ōborisōma⁶³ ware, and the circulation and influence of Chinese porcelain and so forth were also discussed.
For coins, issues concerning the Kan’ei Tsūhō⁶⁴ were examined. In addition, the utilization of metal, production technology, and so forth, for the Early Modern city of Edo were discussed.

8. Modern period
In an investigation within an area planned by the East Japan Railway Company for redevelopment in conjunction with renovations to the Yamanote rail line, the Takanawa Chikutei⁶⁵ site, where part of Japan’s first railway was laid, was discovered. The site contains an embankment (chikutei) discovered directly beneath the tracks used for the Yamanote line until immediately before the investigation, which was in an extremely good state of preservation. The embankment was built atop a stretch of shallow water, and being extremely important as a symbol of modern Japan from which the technology of the modern period can be clearly read, it has been judged of exceedingly high historical value. The Japanese Archaeological Association is in the midst of ongoing efforts, such as through issuing official proclamations, for its wholesale preservation, in order that its historical value is not degraded.

Conclusion
Archaeological research in the 2020 fiscal year, based on an abundance of accumulated results of individual studies, is being systematized and summarized, and appears to be headed in the direction of making interregional comparative examinations. Also, with the introduction of the replica method, and the evolution of chronological measurement and various other types of analysis, it has become possible to obtain a wealth of information, which combined with archaeological research results is gradually enabling social reconstructions. It is hoped that this will further develop research through sufficient criticism of studies in other fields including documentary history.
Despite the trying conditions of the coronavirus pandemic, which unfortunately render direct exchanges of opinion difficult, I would like to commend the tremendous results that have been produced.
In the future, it is hoped that with increased utilization of newly acquired tools for communication, there will be lively exchanges of opinion, and new images of history will be created.

1 [Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research, 2020, is a partial translation of “Nihon kōkogaku kenkyū no dōkō” 日本考古学研究の動向, in Nihon kōkogaku nenpō 73 (2020 nendoban) 日本考古学年報 73（2020 年度版) (Archaeologia Japonica 73 [2020 Fiscal Year Issue]) (Nihon Kōkogaku Kyōkai, 2021), pp. 1–37. This essay appears on pp. 1–4, under the Japanese title “Sōsetsu” 総説. It was translated by Walter Edwards, and published by the Japanese Archaeological Association (Nihon Kōkogaku Kyōkai日本考古学協会) online in 2023. To streamline the text, characters for Japanese names and terms, and bibliographic information have been placed in footnotes. When an English translation of the name of an organization or publication (or symposium, etc.) is supplied by the party responsible, this is used with minimum changes in capitalization etc. to conform to the style followed by Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research. Romanized names of individuals are given with the surname followed by the personal name.]
2 辻秀人
3 The fiscal year begins on April 1 of each calendar year.
4 入口
5 八丁平
6 砂原
7 金取
8 [Translator’s note: 無文土器, mumon doki (literally, undecorated or “plain” pottery). There is growing recognition among Japanese archaeologists of the possibility that undecorated pottery found at the Ōdai Yamamoto I ( 大平山元Ⅰ, Aomori prefecture) site and elsewhere is the oldest ceramic stage in Japan. Despite being represented by the same Chinese characters when written in Japanese, this must be distinguished from the Mumun pottery of the Korean peninsula, chronologically much newer and associated with the spread of intensive agriculture.]
9 諸磯
10 ひだびと論争 (Hidabito ronsō) [Translator’s note: The Hidabito debate was an exchange, regarding the study of artifacts, which unfolded over the pages of the regional studies journal Hidabito (literally, “Hida [飛騨, the region that is modern Gifu prefecture] folk”) in 1937–38 between archaeologists Kōno Isamu 甲野勇 and Yawata Ichirō 八幡一郎, who prioritized chronological studies of artifacts as the basis for further research, and the proletarian novelist Ema Shū 江馬修, who asserted rather the value of artifacts lay in what they could reveal about economic and social relations through studies of their utilization.]
11 馬高
12 Nishi Sagami Kōkogaku Kenkyūkai 西相模考古学研究会 (Nishi-Sagami Archaeology Research Society) and Hyōgo Kōkogaku Danwakai 兵庫考古学談話会 (Hyōgo Archaeological Discussion Group), eds., Yayoi jidai no tōzai kōryū: Kōikiteki na rendōsei o kangaeru 弥生時代の東西交流: 広域的な連動性を考える (Yayoi period east–west exchange: Considering wide-area interconnections) (Rokuichi Shobō, 2020).
13 “Higashinomiya kofun no kenkyū wa doko made susunda no ka” 東之宮古墳の研究はどこまで進んだのか (How far has research on the Higashinomiya tomb progressed?), Tōkai Kofun Jidai Kenkyūkai Dai 4- kai Kenkyūkai 東海古墳時代研究会第 4 回研究会 (4th Research Meeting, Tōkai Kofun Period Study Group) (Inuyama, Aichi, 7 March 2021).
14 Gunma Kenritsu Rekishi Hakubutsukan 群馬県立歴史博物館 (Gunma Prefectural Museum of History), ed., Watanuki Kannon’yama kofun no subete: Kokuhō kettei kinen Dai 101-kai kikakuten 綿貫観音山古墳のすべて: 国宝決定記念第 101 回企画展 (All about the Kannon’yama tomb: Planned exhibit no. 101 commemorating designation as National Treasure) (catalog of exhibit held 18 July–6 August 2020).
15 灰塚山 (Fukushima prefecture)
16 [Translator’ note: Six articles dealing with aspects of the Haizukayama tomb appeared in a special feature on Middle Kofun period tombs of the southern Tōhoku region, carried in the journal Miyagi kōkogaku 宮城考古学 (The Miyagi Archaeology), no. 22, 2020.]
17 [Translator’s note: The reference is to discoveries from graves of the Late Yayoi through the Early Kofun period of weapons (swords) and tools (knives, spear-planes) that appear to have been intentionally bent in either the blade or tang portions. Similar finds are known from the Korean peninsula and China.]
18    三昧塚
19    土師
20    須恵
21 Nakao Yoshiharu 中尾芳治 ed., Naniwa no miya to kodai tojō 難波宮と古代都城 (Naniwa palace and ancient capitals) (Doseisha, 2020).
22 “Nagaokakyō chōsa kenkyū no saizensen” 長岡京調査研究の最前線 (The front line of Nagaoka capital research), Dai 37-kai Jōrisei/Kodai Toshi Kenkyūkai Taikai 条里制・古代都市研究会第 37 回研究大会 (34th Research Meeting of the Jōri Field System/Ancient Urban Research Society) (held online by Zoom, 6–7 March 2021).
23 宮滝 (Nara prefecture)
24 史跡斎宮跡 (Mie prefecture)
25 紫香楽宮 (Shiga prefecture)
26 大宰府 (Fukuoka prefecture)
27 [Translator’s note: The reference is to a collection of articles featured in Issue No. 152 of Kikan
Kōkogaku (Archaeology Quarterly), July 2020, titled “Kodai kokufu: Saishin kenkyū no dōkō” 古代国府・最新研究の動向 (Ancient provincial headquarters: Trends of recent research). A total of 24 contributions are grouped along the lines of the ancient system of goki shichidō 五畿七道 (the five home provinces of Kinai plus the seven “circuits,” i.e., Tōkaidō, Tōsandō, Hokurikudō, San’indō, San’yōdō, Nankaidō, Saikaidō) by which the ancient provinces were organized.]
28 多胡 (Gunma prefecture)
29 “Kodai Tagogun no jitsuzō: Tago gunke to Kōzuke sanpi” 古代多胡郡の実像: 多胡郡家と上野三碑 (True image of Ancient Tago district: Tago district headquarters and the Three Stelae of Kōzuke), lectures and panel discussion recorded 31 October 2020, and broadcast via the Internet by the city of Takazaki高崎, Gunma.
30 Nakamura Taichi 中村太一, Nihon kodai no tojō to kōtsū 日本古代の都城と交通 (Ancient Japanese capitals and transport) (Yagi Shoten, 2020).
31 東大寺 (Nara prefecture)
32 Tsurumi Yasutoshi 鶴見泰寿, Tōdaiji no kōkogaku: Yomigaeru Tenpyō no daigaran 東大寺の考古学: よみがえる天平の大伽藍 (The archaeology of Tōdaiji: The great temple of the Tenpyō era is resurrected) (Yoshikawa Kōbunkan, 2021).
33 湖西 (Shizuoka prefecture)
34 Nara Bunkazai Kenkyūjo 奈良文化財研究所 (Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties) ed., Tōmyōzara to kanga/shūraku/jiin 灯明皿と官衙・集落・寺院 (Lamp dishes and government offices/settlements/temples), report from the Dai 23-kai Kodai Kanga/Shūraku Kenkyūkai 第 23 回古代官衙· 集落研究集会 (23rd Research Meeting of the Ancient Government Offices/Settlements Researh Society) (Nara Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, 13–14 December 2019).
35 Takahashi Eiichi 高橋栄一 et al., “Tagajō shutsudo seyū tōjiki no kenkyū” 多賀城出土施釉陶磁器の研究 (Research on glazed high-fired ceramics recovered from the Taga fort), Nihon Kōkogaku Kyōkai Dai 86-kai sōkai kenkyū happyō yōshi (Abstracts, JAA 86th General Meeting, 2020).
36 百済郡 (in modern Osaka prefecture)
37 高麗郡 (in modern Saitama prefecture)
38 百済寺 (Nara prefecture)
39 Suda Tsutomu 須田勉 and Arai Hideki 荒井秀規, eds., Kodai Nihon to toraikei imin: Kudara-gun to Koma-gun no seiritsu 古代日本と渡来系移民: 百済郡と高麗郡の成立 (Ancient Japan and foreign immigrants: The establishment of Kudara and Koma districts) (Koshi Shoin, 2021).
40 徳定Ａ・Ｂ
41 長崎
42 志羅山
43 平泉 (Iwate prefecture)
44 博多 (Fukuoka prefecture)
45 聖寿寺館 (Aomori prefecture)
46 九戸城 (Iwate prefecture)
47 七尾城 (Ishikawa prefecture)
48 小田原城 (Kanagawa prefecture)
49 Saitō Toshio 斉藤利男, ed., Sengoku daimyō Nanbushi no ichizoku to jōkan 戦国大名南部氏の一族と城館 (The family and fortresses of the Sengoku daimyo Nanbu clan) (Ebisukosyo, 2021).
50 美濃 (southern Gifu prefecture)
51 尾張 (western Aichi prefecture)
52 Suzuki Masataka 鈴木正貴 and Niki Hiroshi 仁木宏, eds., Tenkabito Nobunaga no kiso kōzō 天下人信長の基礎構造 (The basic structure under Nobunaga, ruler of the realm) (Koshi Shoin, 2021).
53 Ōba Kōji 大庭康時, Saeki Kōji 佐伯弘次, and Tsubone Shin’ya 坪根伸也, eds., Sengoku no shiro to yakata 戦国の城と館 (Sengoku castles and mansions), vol. 3 of Kyūshū no chūsei 九州の中世 (Medieval Kyushu) (Koshi Shoin, 202
54 常滑
55 八ツ場 (Gunma prefecture)
56 Tenmei deiryū 天明泥流
57 [Translator’s note: The Tenmei Mudflow resulted from the volcanic eruption in 1783 (Tenmei 3) of Mt. Asama 浅間山, causing widespread destruction and contributing to a major famine in that year. A brief English summary of the excavation is available (/remains/higashimiya) as one of the “Noteworthy Archaeological Sites” featured on the website of the Japanese Archaeological Association.]
58 Miyoshi Yoshizo 三好義三, Kinsei bohyō 近世墓標 (Early Modern grave markers) (Nyū Saiensusha, 2021).
59 伊万里
60    唐津
61    京
62 肥前
63 大堀相馬
64 寛永通宝
65 高輪築堤 (Tokyo prefecture)

Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research, 2020
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Overview: Japanese Archaeological Research Trends 2019¹
Tsuji Hideto²

The 2019 fiscal year³is worthy of commemoration for the change to the new era name, Reiwa,⁴ as of May 1.
With regards to cultural properties, the “Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan” was inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites, causing a big sensation. As is well known, the Mozu⁵ and Furuichi⁶ tomb groups are in a densely populated region of Osaka prefecture, and their preservation has a history of contention. While designation as a World Heritage Site is a joyous development on the one hand, as indicated in the statement jointly issued with 13 other academic societies titled “Opinion Concerning the Selection of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group for Registration as World Cultural Heritage,” it is desirable that a comprehensive plan be executed for the preservation and utilization of the tomb group including the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, memory is still fresh of the destruction by fire of Shuri Castle⁷ in Okinawa in the early morning hours of October 31. It was a bitter loss not only for the citizens of Okinawa prefecture, but for the Japanese nation as a whole. Examples of damage and loss of cultural properties to natural disasters are numerous. As was learned from the damage by fire to the murals at the Main Hall of Hōryūji,⁸ we must confirm again the need for study and efforts toward the preservation of cultural properties.
In the final portion of the 2019 fiscal year, the novel coronavirus infection spread, and society as a whole was driven into a reduction or cessation of activity. Many research and academic societies unfortunately halted or postponed their activities. Under the COVID-19 crisis, we could say we have been dealt a great challenge as to how we might carry out our research efforts.
Herein I would like to look back on the research trends in Japanese archaeology for the 2019 fiscal year.

1. Paleolithic period
The 2019 fiscal year is a critical juncture as the 20th year since the exposure of the Early/Middle Paleolithic Hoax. Regarding this unprecedented incident, for which the Association organized a special committee to deal with clarification of the problem, a special collection was compiled in Kōkogaku jānaru (The Archaeological Journal).⁹ As a result of inspecting the issue, new research results, methodologies, and perspectives were discussed based on critical reflection.
Following the exposure of the hoax, there has been debate over the timing of the appearance of humankind in the Japanese archipelago. While it is generally believed that humans arrived from the Korean Peninsula via a land bridge during the Last Glacial Period, the possibility of an earlier date is being discussed. The debate will likely deepen in connection with the theory of an early dispersal of modern humans. Thorough discussion including the age and typology of the oldest stone tools is desired. Also, an experimental voyage was conducted over the Okinawa route, a possible migration pathway. It is hoped that comprehensive research will be furthered combining an evaluation of that success with other factors.
Technical studies of stone tool assemblages were also conducted regarding blade technology, and analyses incorporating 3D measurement data appeared as well. In addition, attempts at elucidating trace marks left on stone tools are being carried out through experimental archaeological methods. The approach of comprehensively examining trace marks on stone tools by recognizing that they accumulated over the lifespans of these objects will likely expand the possibilities of future research.
Comparative studies have been conducted over a wide area including East Asia regarding the transition from the Paleolithic to the Jōmon periods, that is, the time of the emergence of pottery, and the factual relations are becoming clear. At the same time, there is debate back and forth as to whether the appearance of pottery per se can be considered as the beginning of the Jōmon period. In addition, the regional nature of the transition to Jōmon culture is being researched, and clarification of the specific character of the period is also an issue for future study. In addition, at the Kitamachi¹⁰ site in Yamagata prefecture, an Incipient settlement and wetland area have been investigated and a variety of artifacts and food remains were recovered, providing valuable data for considering the daily life and environment of the time, the actual conditions of the Incipient phase of the Jōmon period.
In the new area of academic research on the Yaponesian genome, the origin and developmental process of humans of the Japanese archipelago are being pursued by sequencing and comparatively analyzing the genome from the Paleolithic period on. Comparative examinations with archaeological results are greatly anticipated.

2. Jōmon period
In Jōmon research, work is being done in the clarification of Jōmon society through studies of graves, settlements, and artifacts, and in chronological research.
In settlement research, changes in settlement from the Middle into the Late phases were frequently taken up, with circular settlements, changes in settlement locations, regional trends, and so forth being discussed
Regarding mortuary customs and burial systems, a research meeting was held by the Jōmon Period Culture Research Society to sort out issues confronting attempts to elucidate the shape of society based on the conditions of mortuary practice. ¹¹ In addition, there were many treatises discussing the relationship between burial systems, grave goods, and rituals, and many articles pursuing relations between settlements and graves, and the results of these efforts are anticipated. In recent years there have been discoveries of human bone from rock shelter sites, and work is being carried out on information that can be read from such buried skeletal materials.
Chronological research is active for each phase of the period, and along with examinations along the temporal axis the spatial distributions are being thoroughly discussed, and as a result it is anticipated that trends in Jōmon society will be clarified. For stone tools, research is being pursued into the manufacturing technology and into their functions. Regarding the latter, relations between function and the plant diet, and the clarification based on experiment of the method of fixing tools to handles and so forth are drawing attention. In research on clay figurines, there is debate on their functions along with their distribution and transitions, and compilations are being advanced.
Regarding the relationship with the natural environment, the impression replica technique¹² has been widely adopted and is achieving new results. In addition,research results are accumulating related to the flora and fauna.
The results of scientific analysis have been widely incorporated into Jōmon research, and achievements are being published in the dating of human bone, in stable isotope analysis, and in DNA analysis. There is a high possibility that new images of the Jōmon period will emerge through synthesis with research results from archaeology.

3. Yayoi period
In the midst of debate over its absolute chronology, the view that the Yayoi period should be divided into neolithic and early metal age eras has been advanced. That the concept of the Yayoi period encompasses a major division seen in world history is a serious problem, and will likely lead in the end to questions of the basis on which the Yayoi period is divided from others. We should keep an eye on what direction research takes on this issue in the future.
In addition, there were treatises examining the substance of the Yayoi period from the perspective of eastern Japan, while Yayoi society of the Kinki region as a whole was being concretely discussed. What the diversity of Yayoi society across the Japanese archipelago means will likely be a significant issue in the future.
Exchanges with the Korean Peninsula were actively discussed at symposiums and other venues, yielding important results. In research on agriculture, the replica method has become widespread, and the actual conditions of grain cultivation in Yayoi society, including the transition period from the Jōmon, are gradually being clarified, and a compilation systematically summarizing these results has been published. Additionally, nuclear genome analysis has been conducted with recovered skeletal materials, and it has become clear that two genetic lines of Jōmon and immigrant derivation existed in northwestern Kyushu in Yayoi times. This will likely be important information for considerations of Yayoi society. It will be necessary to assess comprehensively whether this is consistent with the results of archaeological examinations.

4. Kofun period
One theme in Kofun period research transcending that age is what was the Yamato monarchy, what manner of function did it bear? Also, indispensable to considerations of this theme is the question of what were the keyhole-shaped mounded tombs?
A variety of issues are debated regarding this broad theme, such as communities of shared interests among the chiefly class, the organization of the military, the rituals of the tombs, and so forth. Differences in the points of view among debaters yield vastly different images drawn of the monarchy. Further developments are anticipated. Also, the colossal size of Middle period tombs was debated at the Japanese Archaeological Association’s 2019 Autumn Meeting¹³ and elsewhere. In opposition to the prevailing view explaining the growth to colossal size in terms of the increased power of the monarchy, new perspectives asserting of the instability of the monarchy or the distribution of wealth and so forth have been indicated.
For burial facilities, the results of comprehensive research on horizontal stone chambers were published. Also, for the relationship between changes in burial facilities and the compositions of social groups, the transitions and uniformity of horizontal stone chambers was debated for each region; further, regarding the stone materials making up the chambers the use of 3D measurement has been introduced, and regional aspects of the relationships between stone processing technology and masonry groups are being examined.
In haniwa research, new understandings of the placements of groups of representational haniwa are being explored, and for cylindrical haniwa, relations between haniwa production and regional development, and how haniwa may have served as emblems of political authority were discussed. For representational haniwa the human figures are being reevaluated, and topics such as how to distinguish single-edged from double-edged swords in haniwa representations, and the relationship between haniwa and wooden funerary items, are being debated.
In research on weapons and armor, the production system for swords was examined, and a need pointed out to reexamine its understanding as a unified system of production and distribution. Also, a detailed examination was made of decorative swords, and the political implications of their distribution were discussed. In connection with equestrian gear Uma no kōkogaku (Archaeology of Horses) was published, in which a variety of perspectives including the system of production and the significance of horses and horse gear were discussed.¹⁴ In settlement research, at symposiums held by the Society of Archaeological Studies Kansai Regional Meeting¹⁵ and the Tōhoku/Kantō Keyhole Tomb Research Society,¹⁶ relationships between trends in settlements and in tomb construction were discussed. In ceramics debate, parallel relations were sorted out among a wide variety of Haji¹⁷ ware assemblages that developed at the time of the appearance of kofun in various regions. In addition, attempts to read social conditions from the nature of pottery assemblages were also carried out. For Sue¹⁸ ware, there were also attempts to decipher regional society from the perspective of ceramics. The topics of changes in vessel types, and the delineation of individual characteristics for production kilns were pursued. In research on wooden implements, there is a trend for discussing the technology of wet-rice cultivation based on the functions of wooden tools. In addition, the development of decorative wooden pedestalled dishes was examined, and the possibility suggested of considering their relationship with the Hokuriku region. Future developments are hoped for in these areas.
Regarding relationships with the Korean peninsula, a comprehensive anthology was compiled by the National Museum of Japanese History and Folklore.¹⁹ Also, in relations with the peninsula as seen in weapons, artifacts of Japanese derivation found on the peninsula and so forth were discussed. There will likely be debate henceforth as to whether the relations seen between the two were based on kingly authority or on regional networks.

5. Ancient period
For the Ancient period, continuing from the previous fiscal year there were investigations of capitals, government office complexes, temples and so forth related to the management of Historic Sites, or aimed at securing Historic Site designations. Additionally, there were investigations carried out of road remains and associated facilities, and production sites, etc. Investigations of large-scale settlements were also conducted.
For capitals, there were excavations to the southeast of the Former Imperial Audience Hall, and in the Eastern Government Office Sector at the Nara palace site. New materials were obtained related to the Western Palace of Retired Emperor Heizei²⁰ and to the Eastern Government Office Sector. In Kyoto, excavations in the capital districts at the Nagaoka²¹ and Heian²² capitals are being continuously conducted, and have been producing results.
At government office sites, investigations are continuing at Tagajō²³ and Dazaifu,²⁴ both Special Historic Sites. The Miyagi Prefectural Research Institute of the Tagajō Site has published a compilation of glazed ceramics²⁵ that have been assembled and examined. At the Saikū²⁶ palace complex in Mie Prefecture, a group of features dating back to the Asuka period have been detected, which is an important discovery for clarifying the initial phase of the site. There were many investigations at temple sites. These include the Saiji²⁷ temple site in Kyoto, and the Teramachi²⁸ abandoned temple site in Hiroshima prefecture.
As for production sites, at the Akasaka D site²⁹ in Fukushima prefecture, the remains were found of kilns for the manufacture of Sue ware, charcoal, and roof tiles for which the locus of production was previously unknown. Apart from this, the Fukada³⁰ kiln site group in Aichi prefecture and the Ishizaka³¹ kiln site group in Fukuoka prefecture and others were investigated. In addition, the iron casting facilities found at the Kurotsuchi³² site in Kusatsu, Shiga prefecture, are drawing attention as precious archaeological features.
In recent years, road features and related facilities have been investigated one after another. In Gunma prefecture, gutters and seismic fissures were confirmed at a site inferred as part of the Tōsandō³³ highway. Features at the Shimookada³⁴ site in Hiroshima prefecture, from their appearance and because they are facing the Ancient San’yōdō³⁵ highway, are thought to have possibly been the Aki³⁶ post station.
For settlements, in Saitama prefecture the remains of a vast settlement straddling three archaeological sites and exceeding 60,000 m2 in area have been confirmed. At the Shimoda Minami³⁷ site in Aichi prefecture, the remains of numerous pit- dwellings and embedded pillar buildings have been ascertained, with many distinctive artifacts being recovered. It is hoped that much will result from the analysis of these materials.
At a symposium on Ancient period fortifications,³⁸ perspectives were presented comparing conditions in eastern and western Japan. This will probably be one of the directions for the future.

6. Medieval, Early Modern, Modern periods
In urban research, the results of recent activities of the Medieval Urban Research Society were published as Kōshin to kenryoku (Ports and Authority).³⁹ In addition, the results of many years of research that have accumulated for Hiraizumi (Iwate prefecture) have been compiled.⁴⁰ Both are efforts that show the level of Medieval urban research. In addition, books were published comprehensively examining the samurai as theme from various perspectives.
Regarding castle research, symposiums were held by active groups such as the Shokuhō Period Castle Research Society,⁴¹ San’in Archaeological Research Meeting,⁴² and Chūgoku/Shikoku Residential Castle Investigations Discussion Meeting.⁴³ Topics such as stone walls, roof tiles, and satellite (branch) castles were taken up. For publications, the Castles Discussion Group compiled a volume on the nature of the castles of the Kinki region from the perspectives of documentary sources, archaeology, and territorial considerations.⁴⁴ In addition, comprehensive research results related to castles of the Sengoku daimyo Takeda clan were also published.⁴⁵
In mortuary research, Sekine Tatsuhito edited a systematic anthology on the themes of funerary customs, graves, and stone stupas, which also clearly demonstrated the significance and methodology of studying gravestones and showed the ultimate goal of research.⁴⁶
Ceramics research was extremely prosperous, with symposiums and study meetings held on a variety of issues by the Society for Medieval Ware Research, ⁴⁷ Japan Society for the Study of Oriental Trade Ceramics,⁴⁸ and the Bizen History Forum.⁴⁹ In addition, Volumes 10 and 11 of Chūkinsei tōjiki no kōkogaku (Archaeology of Medieval and Early Modern Glazed Ceramics) have been published,⁵⁰ with ambitious articles and indications of new research methods included as results showing the current level of research. Also, the monograph Chūsei kawara no kōkogaku (Archaeology of Medieval Roof Tiles),⁵¹ which won the 8th Sumita Ancient Tiles/Archaeology Research Promotion Award, summarizes aspects of Medieval roof tiles in each region.

Conclusion
Above, I have described the research trends of the 2019 fiscal year for each era of the Japanese archipelago. I leave the remainder of this task to the separate descriptions in this volume.⁵²
Research in recent years has focused attention on the beginning of each era and the transition to the next. Typical examples are the appearance of humankind in the archipelago, the relationship between the Paleolithic and the Jōmon periods, and the beginning of the Yayoi period. Topics such as these encompass questions of the substance of each period and the basis for dividing one period from the next. How to answer such questions will be a significant issue for Japanese archaeology.
Also, the silicone replica method, DNA analysis, and various other new research methodologies are gradually becoming widespread. While there is great hope for new research results, at the same time it will be questioned how we should evaluate those results from the standpoint of archaeology, how we can reconstruct their relations with outcomes of archaeological research. Reflecting critically on the Paleolithic Hoax, we will need to take the stance of assimilating such results with views from an archaeological standpoint.

1 [Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research, 2019, is a partial translation of “Nihon kōkogaku kenkyū no dōkō” 日本考古学研究の動向, in Nihon kōkogaku nenpō 72 (2019 nendoban) 日本考古学年報 72（2019 年度版) (Archaeologia Japonica 72 [2019 Fiscal Year Issue]) (Nihon Kōkogaku Kyōkai, 2021), pp. 1–31. This essay appears on pp. 1-3, under the Japanese title “Sōsetsu” 総説. It was translated by Walter Edwards, and published by the Japanese Archaeological Association (Nihon Kōkogaku Kyōkai日本考古学協会) online in 2023. To streamline the text, characters for Japanese names and terms, and bibliographic information have been placed in footnotes. When an English translation of the name of an organization or publication (or symposium, etc.) is supplied by the party responsible, this is used with minimum changes in capitalization etc. to conform to the style followed by Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research. Romanized names of individuals are given with the surname followed by the personal name.]
2 辻秀人
3 The fiscal year begins on April 1 of each calendar year.
4 令和
5 百舌鳥
6 古市
7 首里城
8 法隆寺 (Nara prefecture) [Translator’s note: The reference is to a fire which broke out in January 1949, prompting concerns that led the following year to the promulgation of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.]
9 “Zen/Chūki Kyūsekki Netsuzō kara 20 nen” 前・中期旧石器捏造から 20 年 (20 Years after the Early and Middle Paleolithic Hoax), a collection of six articles in Kōkogaku jānaru 考古学ジャーナル (The Archaeo- logical Journal), no. 730 (2019): 3–23.
10 北町
11 “Jōmon jidai sōbosei kenkyū no gendankai” 縄文時代葬墓制研究の現段階 (The current stage of research on Jōmon period mortuary and burial systems), symposium commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the Jōmon Jidai Bunka Kenkyūkai 縄文時代文化研究会 (Jōmon Period Culture Research Society), Nihon Daigaku, 7–8 December 2019.
12 [Translator’s note: The reference is to the use of silicone replica analysis of impressions in pottery left by organic materials such as starch granules, nuts, and insects.]
13 “Kofun jidai chūki no kyodai kofun” 古墳時代中期の巨大古墳 (Colossal tombs of the Middle Kofun period), session held at the Japanese Archaeological Association 2019 Autumn Meeting (Okayama Daigaku, 26–27 October 2019).
14 Migishima Kazuo 右島和夫, ed., Uma no kōkogaku 馬の考古学 (Archaeology of Horses) (Yūzankaku, 2019).
15 “Chiiki kenkyū ni motozuku Kofun jidai no shūraku kōzō to shakai” 地域研究に基づく古墳時代の集落構造と社会 (Settlement structure and society in the Kofun period based on regional research), Kōkogaku Kenkyūkai Kansai Reikai Shinpojiumu 考古学研究会関西例会シンポジウム (Society of Archaeological Studies Kansai Regional Meeting Symposium), held at Osaka Campus Plaza Kyoto, 2 February 2020.
16 “Kōki no naka no henkaku: 536 nen ibento ni miru kikō hendō to no kakawari” 後期の中の変革: 536年イベントにみる気候変動との関わり (Changes in the Late Kofun: Relationship with climate change attributable to the extreme weather event of 536), symposium held in conjunction with the Dai 25-kai Tōhoku/Kantō Zenpōkōenfun Kenkyūkai Taikai 第 25 回東北・関東前方後円墳研究会大会 (25th Meeting, Tōhoku/Kantō Keyhole Tomb Research Society), Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba, 15–16 February 2020.
17 土師
18 須恵
19 “[Kyōdō kenkyū] Kofun jidai/Sangoku jidai ni okeru Nitchō kankeishi no saikōchiku: Wa to Yonsangan ryūiki no kankei o chūshin ni” [共同研究] 古墳時代・三国時代における日朝関係史の再構築: 倭と栄山江流域の関係を中心に ([Collaborative research] Reconstruction of the History of Japan-Korea Relations in the Kofun Period of Japan and the Three Kingdoms Period of Korea: Focusing on the Relationship between the Country of Wa and the Yeongsan River Basin), a collection of 14 articles in Kokuritsu Rekishi Minzoku Hakubutsukan kenkyū hōkoku 国立歴史民俗博物館研究報告 (Bulletin of the National Museum of Japanese History), no. 217 (2019): 1–346.
20 平城
21 長岡
22 平安
23 多賀城 (Miyagi prefecture)
24 太宰府 (Fukuoka prefecture)
25 Miyagi-ken Tagajō Ato Kenkyūjo 宮城県多賀城跡調査研究所 (Miyagi Prefectural Research Institute of the Tagajo Site), Tagajō seyū tōjiki 多賀城施釉陶磁器 (Tagajō Glazed Ceramics) (Tagajō, Miyagi: Miyagi Prefectural Research Institute of the Tagajo Site, 2020).
26    斎宮
27    西寺
28    寺町
29 赤坂Ｄ遺跡
30    深田
31    石坂
32    黒土
33    東山道
34    下岡田
35    山陽道
36    安芸
37    下田南
38 “Kikuchijō shimpojiumu: Kodai no sanjō to Tōhoku jōsaku” 鞠智城シンポジウム: 古代の山城と東北城柵 (Kikuchi castle symposium: Ancient hilltop castles and Tōhoku fortresses), symposium jointly sponsored by Ryūkoku University and the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education (Kyoto, Ryūkoku University Kyōto Hall, 6 October 2019
39 Chūsei Toshi Kenkyūkai 中世都市研究会 (Medieval Urban Research Society), ed., Kōshin to kenryoku
港津と権力 (Ports and Authority) (Yamakawa Shuppansha, 2019).
40 Yaegashi Tadao 八重樫忠郎, Hiraizumi no kōkogaku 平泉の考古学 (The archaeology of Hiraizumi) (Koshi Shoin, 2019).
41 “Sengoku jidai ni okeru ishigaki gijutsu no kōkogakuteki kenkyū” 戦国時代における石垣技術の考古学的研究 (Archaeological research on stone wall technology of the Sengoku period), 2019 Meeting of the Shokuhōki Jōkaku Kenkyūkai 織豊期城郭研究会 (Shokuhō Period Castle Research Society), Hikone, 7– 8 September 2019.
42 “San’in no jōkaku kawara dōnyū to tenkai” 山陰の城郭瓦導入と展開 (Introduction and development of San’in castle roof tiles), Dai 47-kai San’in Kōkogaku Kenkyū Shūkai 第 47 回山陰考古学研究集会 (47th San’in Archaeological Research Meeting), Tottori, 31 August 2019.
43 “Kōkogaku kara shijōsei o tou” 考古学から支城制を問う (Questioning the satellite castle system from archaeology), Dai 24-kai Chūgoku/Shikoku Chiku Jōkan Chōsa Kentōkai 第 24 回中国・四国地区城館調査検討会 (24th Chūgoku/Shikoku Residential Castle Investigations Discussion Meeting), Naruto, Tokushima prefecture, 28–29 September 2019.
44 Jōkaku Danwakai 城郭談話会 (Castle Discussion Group), ed., Kinki no jōkaku: Bunken, kōko, nawabari kara saguru 近畿の城郭: 文献・考古・縄張りから探る (The castles of Kinki: Exploring from literature, archaeology, territory) (Ebisukōshō Shuppan, 2019).
45 Hagihara Mitsuo 萩原三雄, Sengokuki jōkaku to kōkogaku 戦国期城郭と考古学 (Sengoku Period Castles and Archaeology) (Iwata Shoin, 2019).
46 Sekine Tatsuhito 関根達人 , ed., “Hakaishi no kōkogaku” 墓石の考古学 (The archaeology of gravestones), a collection of 20 articles in Kikan kōkogaku 季刊考古学 (Archaeology Quarterly), no. 149 (2019): 14-99.
47 “Chūjō kōdai doki o kangaeru” 柱状高台土器を考える (Considering pottery with pillar-shaped pedestals), Dai 38-kai Chūsei Doki Kenkyūkai 第 38 回中世土器研究会 (38th Meeting of the Society for Medieval Ware Research), Kyoto, 30 November–1 December 2019.
48 “Minami Kyūshū–Amami guntō no bōeki tōji” 南九州～奄美群島の貿易陶磁 (Trade ceramics of southern Kyushu–Amami Islands), Dai 40-kai Nihon Bōeki Tōji Kenkyūkai 第 40 回日本貿易陶磁研究会 (40th Meeting, Japan Society for the Study of Oriental Trade Ceramics), Kirishima, Kagoshima, 21–22 September 2019.
49 “Bizen yaki kenkyū saizensen III: Tenkabito Hideyoshi kara Bizen miyajishi made” 備前焼研究最前線 III: 天下人秀吉から備前宮獅子まで (The forefront of Bizen yaki research III: From world ruler Hideyoshi to the shrine guardian dog), Bizen Rekishi Fōramu 2019 備前歴史フォーラム 2019 (Bizen History Forum 2019), Bizen, Okayama, 18–19 January 2020.
50 Sasaki Tatsuo 佐々木達夫, ed., Chūkinsei tōjiki no kōkogaku 中近世陶磁器の考古学 (Archaeology of Medieval and Early Modern Glazed Ceramics), vols. 10–11 (Yūzankaku, 2019).
51 Chūsei Kawara Kenkyūkai 中世瓦研究会 (Medieval Roof Tile Research Society), ed., Chūsei kawara no kōkogaku 中世瓦の考古学 (Archaeology of Medieval Roof Tiles) (Koshi Shoin, 2019).
52 [Translator’s note: The reference is to summaries for each era of research trends contained in Nihon kōkogaku nenpō, the same volume as this introductory overview.]

Trends in Japanese Archaeological Research, 2019
© 2023 The Japanese Archaeological Association published
online: April 2023

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