Korekawa Site
Korekawa Jomon Settlement · Korekawa Iseki
Middle to Late Jomon 3500–1700 BCE·Middle–Late Jomon (Hachinohe region)·🇯🇵 Aomori Prefecture, Hachinohe City, Korekawa plateau (Nii River terrace), Japan
About
About Korekawa Site
Middle–Late Jomon lacquer production village (c.3500–1700 BCE) on the Nii River terrace at Hachinohe, Aomori — 3 ha with 80+ pit dwellings, large midden, and lacquer-ware workshop that produced 400+ Urushi (Japanese lacquer) vessels, bows and combs. Excavated 1920–2015, Korekawa houses the Korekawa Jomon Kan museum and the Goggle-eyed dogū (National Treasure) found in 1979; lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum) cultivation evidence shows Jomon arboriculture. UNESCO Jomon component (1632-017).
Why it mattersEarliest lacquer industry in Japan (400+ vessels); Goggle-eyed dogū National Treasure type-site; Jomon arboriculture proof.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Was Urushi tree cultivation Jomon's earliest arboriculture?
Theories
- 01Jomon lacquer as prestige exchange; forest management model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3500 BCE Middle Jomon; lacquer peak 2500–1700 BCE
- Period
- Middle to Late Jomon 3500–1700 BCE
- Culture
- Middle–Late Jomon (Hachinohe region)
- Builders
- Jomon lacquer artisans and fisher-farmers
- Purpose
- Permanent village and Japan's earliest lacquer industry center
- Abandoned
- c.1000 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1920 Mori discovery; 2000–15 systematic excavation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.3500 BCE
Middle Jomon pit village with early lacquer bowls
c.2500–1700 BCE
Peak: 400+ lacquer vessels, Goggle-eyed dogū deposited
2021
UNESCO Jomon Prehistoric Sites 1632-017 inscription
On the ground
Structures & features
40.4737° N · 141.4910° E · 35 m · 2 mapped features
Lacquer workshop pits
workshopPits with Urushi sap residues and lacquer vessel wasters
40.4739° N · 141.4912° EPit-dwelling cluster with Goggle-eyed dogū findspot
settlement40 pit houses with central hearths; Goggle-eyed dogū pit
40.4735° N · 141.4908° E
Gallery