Location Ishikawa Archaeological Foundation
Tomizu C Site Artifacts: Circular Inkstone with Animal Legs, Green Glaze Pottery
- Display status
- Partial display
- Period
- Early / Middle Heian period (late 9th century to 10th century)
- Form/Type
- Archaeological material
- Location
- Tomizu-machi, Gokuden-machi (Kanazawa City)
Tomizu C Site is located at the mouth of the Ono River (near present-day Kanazawa Port). The site has produced a row of large-scale dug-in pillar buildings, and many high-grade copper green glazed and ash glazed pottery items, indicating that it is likely the port for the capital of ancient Kaga Province.
The circular inkstone with animal legs (photo center) is a large item with a diameter of 23.5 cm. It has a bold design with excellent features including animal-like legs and three animal faces with almond-shaped eyes on the sides. It is a product of the Sue ware kiln of southern Kaga, and the inkstone surface is well worn, so it seems that it was used to create many documents.
The pieces of green glazed pottery, with their beautiful green glaze, are high-quality pieces of ware made to imitate Tang ceramics, goldware and silverware, which were at the cutting edge of fashion at the time, and in rural areas, they have been excavated mainly from government offices and temples. The spittoon (photo left), which has a distinctive large, trumpet-shaped opening, was originally a container for spitting into, however it is unclear whether it was used in that way. Incense burners (photo right) are rare finds in Ishikawa Prefecture. Both products were fired in the Sanage kiln in Aichi Prefecture.
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Opened in 1998 as an open facility for the excavation and organization of excavated artifacts and the publication of reports on buried cultural properties (archaeological sites) that convey the history and culture of Ishikawa prefecture, as well as to hold exhibitions and lectures that make use of the results. The exhibition rooms comprise sections organized by theme and era, where you can see and touch precious earthenware and stone tools discovered from archaeological sites throughout the prefecture. In 2001, they also opened the Ancient Experience Area, where you can enjoy learning about the lives and techniques of ancient people. Both adults and children can learn about local history in an accessible and easy manner, while deepening their interest and understanding of cultural properties.
18-1 Nakatomachi, Kanazawa, 920-1336 Google Maps
TEL 076-229-4477 E-mail daihyou@ishikawa-maibun.or.jp
