Kurihira

Beneath the modern cityscape of Tokyo, whispers of ancient life echo at the Kurihara Ruins. Here in Nerima Ward, a reconstructed pit-house stands as a portal to the past. Kurihara, the name of a former administrative unit, lends its name to this remarkable site. The Kurihara Ruins were unearthed in 1955 during the construction of Rikkyo University’s athletic fields. This discovery unveiled a treasure trove of artifacts. Stone tools crafted from obsidian hinted at Paleolithic inhabitants. Jomon pottery shards and traces of dwellings from the Yayoi to Heian periods (300 BC – 1185 AD) painted a vibrant picture of life across centuries. The replica pit-house you see before you represents a dwelling from the early Nara period (710-794 AD). Designed by Gaijiro Fujishima, a professor at the University of Tokyo, this reconstruction offers a glimpse into the daily lives of Kurihara’s early residents. The original dwelling, dug 50 cm deep, contained four pillar holes and a clay pot to the north. The reconstruction uses Japanese zelkova for the main pillar and Japanese cedar for the beams and girders. While a metal fence prevents entry, imagine the warmth of the fire within, the scent of wood smoke, and the sounds of family life echoing within these walls. The Kurihara Ruins are a testament to the layers of history beneath our feet, a reminder that even in a bustling metropolis, the echoes of the past can still be heard.