The Use of Water Transportation in Ancient Palace-sites, Local Public Office-sites and Temple-sites

1996 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 07451087
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: 考古学(含先史学)
• Research Institution: Tokyo Gakugei University
• Principal Investigator: KINOSHITA Masashi Tokyo Gakugei University Faculty of Education, Professor, 教育学部, 教授 (70000487)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): KIMURA Sigemitsu Tokyo Gakugei University Faculty of Education, Professor, 教育学部, 教授 (90134759)
• Project Period (FY): 1995 – 1996
• Keywords: Water transportation / Yamato-river systems / "Tabure kokoro no mizo canal" / "Horikawa canal" / River improvementworks / Markets and Ichihime-shrines / Capital city system / Provincial office sites and ports

Research Abstract

We have collected and analyzed many archaeological datas and historical records on the use of water transportation in ancient palace-sites. In Asuka palacesites, it began to utilize the water transportation in the Yamato-River system in many occasions. In Saimei-emperor period, "Tabure Kokoro no Mizo" canal was dug for the purpose of the construction of Asuka-plalace institutions. That canal was bound to Yamato-river system, and the utulization of Yamato-river water transportation were regular.
In Fujiwara-palace period, the utulization of Yamato-river water transportation were more and more regular. The new knowledge of water transportation network was very important for the comprehension of historical character of ancient cities.
In Nara palace, Nagaoka place, and Heian palace, the use of the water transportation in Yodo-river system became to be more important for political, economical, and social activities. River ports, for example, "Kitu", "Yamazakitu", and "Yodotu" were built in Y odo-river side. They had the important position of each capital cities.
The location of markets in capital coties was closely related with the use of the water trensportation. We made clear that canals, Ishihime-shrine or Ishiki-sima-shrine, and Hime-temple were close to eachother in Nara palace site and Heian palace site. In Fujiwara palace site, we cleared the location of the east-market. That location was closely related to Yone-river water transportation. There are Ishikisima-shrine, and temple site near supposed site of east-market.
In local public office sites and temple sites, we have collected and analyzed many archaeological datas and historical records on the use of the water transportation. We made clear that location of provincial office sites, for example, Kokufu-sites and Gunga-sites were closely related to the use of the water transportation. They situated near rivers, and the existence of canals and riverports were made clear in many sites. We made clear concretely that the water transportation was very important factor for the formation of the public office and ancient cities.