Isedotai Jomonkan Museum
(Kita-Akita City, Akita Prefecture)
【En (円)】is the Japanese word of ‘circle’. In Eastern cultures, the ‘En’ is often seen as a symbol of eternity and completeness. The sun’s daily path across the sky and the moon’s waxing and waning phases are emblematic of this unending cycle. 'En' also symbolizes equality, in contrast to rectangles, which may suggest a hierarchical order based on seating arrangements. This shape has been integral to ancient structures around the world, such as Stonehenge in the UK and the Medicine Wheel in the US, often bringing people together for significant events.
In the northern region of Japan, within Akita Prefecture, the Jomon people, who thrived from approximately 13,000 to 400 B.C., crafted stone circles as they subsisted on hunting.
The Isedotai Remains, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to around 2,000 B.C., are a notable example of Jomon prehistoric sites. Here, four stone circles were discovered on an elevated area, providing a stunning view of the snow-capped Shirakami Mountains. This location was likely chosen for its elevation, safe from flooding and offering a spectacular view of the sacred mountains. Remarkably, the Shirakami Mountains are also a UNESCO World Heritage site, making this a unique vantage point where two World Heritage Sites can be viewed simultaneously.
People must have carefully selected and arranged stones, as the site served as both tombs and a sacred space. It is believed that people come here to pay respects their ancestors and to experience a sense of awe in the presence of the majestic mountains that loom before them.
The Jomon era is renowned for its artistic pottery and clay figurines, marking one of the most creative periods in Japanese history. Most of the figurines were found in fragments, suggesting deliberate destruction by ancient peoples.
Remarkably, a unique slab-shaped clay figurine was discovered almost intact from the site. It features a V-shaped body with an elliptical face and, while appearing two-dimensional from the front, is actually three-dimensional. From the side, the neck extends from the back of the head, and the head protrudes forward, reminiscent of an extraterrestrial life form from Star Wars. This creative design highlights the Jomon period’s rich artistic legacy.
A curator of the site suggested that art tends to flourish in times of peace, and the Jomon era was relatively peaceful compared to later times. This tranquility may have fostered the creation of many compelling artifacts that continue to fascinate Jomon enthusiasts to this day.
On this site, there are massive concrete bridge piers of a road. An archaeological site was discovered during the road’s construction. By that time, two piers had already been erected. Rerouting the road would have resulted in significant additional costs. However, recognizing the importance and irreplaceable value of the archaeological find, Akita Prefecture decided to reroute the construction to preserve the site. The road now gracefully winds around the site. This decision eventually contributed to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the bridge piers has been creatively repurposed as part of an event stage, symbolizing a piece of the site’s history.
* There is another location that can be seen two world heritages at once.
* The other Jomon sites, please refer to the articles.
* Official Web Site of the Isedotai Jomonkan Museum
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