Here lies Japan’s rice farming origin. The Itazuke Site stands before us. This archaeological site whispers tales from the late Jōmon to late Yayoi periods. It is located in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
The Itazuke Site together with the Nabatake Site marks the oldest known rice-growing village in Japan. It also features the oldest moated settlement discovered to date. Designated as a National Historic Site in 1976, the protected area has been expanded over time.
Imagine this area during the Yayoi period. The Itazuke Site reveals a moated village. It sits almost in Fukuoka plain’s center. The village is on a plateau 7 to 9 meters high, located on the Mikasa River’s west bank.
Discovered in 1916, the site yielded tombs. They dated back to the early to middle Yayoi period. These tombs contained bronze swords and halberds. Archaeological digs have been ongoing almost continuously since 1951.
Traces of rice paddies and a cemetery spread across the surrounding land. The village ruins feature an egg-shaped moat. It measures 110 meters long and up to five meters wide. Within, archaeologists found pit dwellings, storage holes, and wells. Paddy field remains from the late Jōmon period challenge previous beliefs. It was once thought that wet rice cultivation came to Japan only in the Yayoi period.
Irrigation facilities were found like a weir in an irrigation canal. The rice fields were about 400 meters each. Pottery finds date it to the Yayoi culture’s start. Bronze spears and swords were unearthed from a tomb. This marked the first discovery of Yayoi pottery alongside metal utensils. A bronze spear mold was also found. Most bronze weapons from this time were thought to be imported from Korea. Pre-Yayoi pottery, human footprints, carbonized rice, stone knives, and wooden tools were also unearthed.
Now, the Itazuke Site is preserved as an archaeological park. Recreations of pit-style dwellings and rice fields dot the landscape. A museum adds to the experience. The site is about 2.1 kilometers east of Takeshita Station.
Just a short distance from Fukuoka Airport, the Itazuke Ruins mark a key moment. It is a crucial point in Japan’s civilization. It is the birth of rice farming.
During the Jomon Period, people lived in semi-permanent pit dwellings. In the Yayoi Period, they began living in permanent homes and communities. Agriculture, especially rice farming, allowed these communities to thrive.
Pottery also changed between these periods. Jomon pottery was fragile and had a rope pattern. Yayoi people used kilns for more durable earthenware. Some Jomon pottery was found at the Itazuke Site. This suggests rice farming might have begun in the late Jomon Period.
The Itazuke Ruins Park opened in 1995. It features the Itazuke settlement, rice fields, and a museum. The restored rice fields show Yayoi rice farming. Ridges neatly divide the fields. The irrigation system drew water from the river.
The Itazuke settlement is surrounded by V-shaped moats. Their purpose is unknown. Some think they were for protection but no weapons were found nearby. Perhaps they kept out wild animals.
The graveyard lies just outside the moat. The dead were put in earthenware burial jars. These jars are called Kamekan. The bones inside gave information about their lives and deaths.
So, let’s appreciate what we see here at the Itazuke Site. It is a window into Japan’s ancient past. It demonstrates the ingenuity and innovation of early settlers. It is a vital piece of Japan’s cultural heritage.