Nagano has a close connection with Korea and China historically.
A lot of culture and art were introduced from the Asian Continent in the
ancient times and especially various skills were also brought by Korean
people since Kofun Period (tumulus period 4th-6th century). These
facts have been proved with the discovery of many things related to
China and Korea in various places around Japan. For example, we can see
the similar chamber tombs built during the period of Goguryeo(BC.37-AD668)
in Korea. The earthen vessels and ornaments found in such tombs around
Nagano show that Korean people introduced the way of making those vessels
and irons into Japan. Furthermore, a lot of harnesses were also
excavated and it shows that horses were also brought to Japan with
Korean people.
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This chart shows the cultural
relationship between Asian Continent and Japan. Spiritual
cultures like Buddhism as well as techniques or arts were introduced into Japan
from China and Korea. |
| The Asian Continent &
Nagano, Japan |
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This kind of image of horse was one of the ornaments
placed inside the tumuli. |
| Clay Image of a horse |
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This earthenware, painted brown-red with rouge
(iron oxide, Fe2O3), were placed in the tomb of important
people. They were rich and also had strong political power in the village. This
earthenware is named "Hakoshimizu Style Earthenware".
It was firstly found at Hakoshimizu, Nagano, where Nagano
Nishi High School stands. |
| Earthenware |
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This kind of celadon porcelain were originally made
in China.
The way of making this china was also introduced into Korea and
Japan. |
| Celadon Porcelain |
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These comma-shaped beads were used for the ornaments
around neck and collar. They are also used for the articles
buried together with a dead body. The following picture
illustrates that they were introduced into Japan from Korea and
Nagano has close connections with Korea. |
Adornments
Comma-shaped beads |
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This comma-shaped bead is the property of Cheongju
National Museum in Cheongju-city, South Korea. |
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---> Cheongju
National Museum |
| Buckle |
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These buckles are the property of Cheongju National Museum in
Cheongju-city, South Korea. |
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The same buckles were found at Asakawa,
Nagano-city, Japan in 2001. --->
Click here! |
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In the tumulus period(4th-6th
Century), people were breeding horses and the harness were
introduced into Japan by Korean people with the skills of
making iron. The number of tumulus where the harness were found
in Nagano is about 200, which is the
largest number in Japan. |
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This ancient iron sword was found in
Kijimadaira Village and it was brought over to Japan from Korea.
This is the oldest and biggest sword that has ever found in
Japan. This proves that the process in making iron was
introduced to Japan around that time. |
| Sword |
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