Until the 3th C. AD➡Until the 7th C. AD➡From the 8th C. AD onwards

According to the ancient Chinese historical book, Wei Zhi Wajin Den, during the Yayoi period (3rd century BC to mid-3rd century AD), the Japanese archipelago was divided into around 100 small countries. A powerful force in the Japanese archipelago, where many small countries gather, was a kingdom based in the San'in region.

The kingdom in the San'in region (hereafter referred to as the Ancient San'in Kingdom) developed a unique culture not seen in later eras. Symbolic of this are the four corner protruding mound tomb, which are common in Sanin. Due to its size, this tomb is said to be the resting place of the royal family of the ancient San'in Kingdom. Most of them are located in San'in, but there are also a few in other regions. Looking at the distribution of these tombs, we can see how the ancient San'in Kingdom had influence over a wide area.

In addition, the ancient San'in Kingdom had its own unique architectural techniques. Taisha-zukuri shrine architecture, which was established in San'in during the Yayoi period, is one of the oldest architectural styles in Japan. Shrines built in this architectural style remain unchanged to this day throughout San'in.

Furthermore, it is known that the ancient San'in Kingdom had considerable economic power. The number of bronzewares excavated in San'in is one of the largest in Japan, suggesting the region's great financial power. In addition, many settlements have been excavated, including the remains of one of the largest settlements in Japan, and it is known that many people lived there.

The image of the ancient Izumo Kingdom looks like this:

In other words, the San'in region is one of the few precious areas in Japan where traces of an ancient kingdom that flourished during the Yayoi period can be seen through various elements such as tombs, architectural styles, bronze implements, and settlement remains.

Until the 3th C. AD➡Until the 7th C. AD➡From the 8th C. AD onwards

As time went on, the San'in region, like other areas, came under the control of the Yamato government (present-day Japan). Kofun (ancient tombs) such as keyhole-shaped tumuli began to be built throughout the country as proof of domination and submission, and the San'in region was one of the areas in Japan where many of the largest numbers of kofun were built.

In the 6th century, Buddhism was introduced from the continent. This marked the beginning of a shift in the symbol of the Yamato government's rule from burial mounds to Buddhist temples. Many Buddhist temples were also built in the San'in region by powerful clans.

In fact, it is known that the ancient tombs and Buddhist temples in the San'in region have designs and structures that can only be found in the San'in region. In other words, these cultural assets reveal the actions of powerful clans that submitted to the Yamato government but tried to maintain their own power. There is another factor supporting this action: the development of new industries. During this period, many new industries began operations in the San'in region, most notably magatama and tatara ironworks, both of which were recognized as major brands in ancient Japan. The remains of these new industries show that the search for economic independence was also ongoing.

In other words, up until the 7th century, the San'in region was subject to the Yamato government, but it was also a time when it continued to seek to maintain its own independent power.

Until the 3th C. AD➡Until the 7th C. AD➡From the 8th C. AD onwards

In the 8th century, the first centralized state in Japanese history was established. At the same time, the era of local clans came to an end, and local rule by provincial governors dispatched from the central government began. It can be said that this was a time when the position of rulers changed dramatically, while the residents and industries remained the same.

When ordered to take up post in the San'in region, provincial governors traveled there via the San'in Road (ancient official road). They then went to various provincial offices(Kokuhu) and carried out local governance in place of the traditional local feudal lords.

This type of local governance was practiced throughout Japan, but it is extremely rare for the remains of both an official road and a provincial capital to be preserved together in the same area. The San'in region is an extremely rare area. The San'in region has the most remaining cultural assets relating to local governance by a centralized state from the 8th century onwards.

Summarizing the above three points, we can see that San'in is home to a wealth of cultural assets that convey the political process leading up to the unification of ancient Japan.

In other words, the abundant cultural assets remaining in the San'in region tell us the story of the transition of ancient Japan, from a time when numerous independent kingdoms arose to a gradual transformation of its political system into a centralized state.

Until the 3th C. AD➡Until the 7th C. AD➡From the 8th C. AD onwards

In ancient Japan, there was a primitive Shinto religion that differs from the current Shinto religion that is centered around the Emperor, and many remains of this religion can be found in the San'in region. The objects of worship are thought to have been diverse, including nature, bronze ritual implements, and ancestral graves.

When Buddhism was introduced to Japan, powerful clans began to build Buddhist temples. This meant that during this period, Japan became a society where primitive Shinto and Buddhism were intertwined. It is easy to imagine that this caused a lot of confusion.

This situation continued until a centralized state was established.

Until the 3th C. AD➡Until the 7th C. AD➡From the 8th C. AD onwards

Once Japan became a centralized state, the emperor-centered Shinto religion was established, and at the same time, a decision was made to value both Shinto and Buddhism.

The efforts to place importance on both Shinto and Buddhism can be seen from the actions of the provincial governors. It was customary for a provincial governor appointed to a local area to first visit several important shrines in the area. The provincial governor then built the Buddhist temples Kokubunji and Kokubunji Nunnery (National temples), which were built by order of the Emperor. This proves that the state placed importance on both Shinto and Buddhism and that their ideas had permeated even the local areas.

The San'in region is the only place in Japan where all the cultural assets related to the provincial governors, including the remains of the provincial capital, the shrines that the provincial governors visited, the remains of the provincial temples and provincial nunneries, remain.

The San'in region, which is rich in cultural assets that convey the changes in religion in ancient Japan, is a valuable region that not only conveys the religious roots of modern Japanese people, but also conveys a history of peaceful fusion of religions that is rare even on a global scale.

Until the 3th C. AD➡Until the 7th C. AD➡From the 8th C. AD onwards➡Middle Ages and later

The San'in region is also known as the setting for Japanese mythology, which has its roots in the legends (myths and folk tales) that were passed down in the San'in region up until the 7th century. Legends about existing places and buildings scattered throughout the San'in region have been passed down by the people who live in the region.

Until the 3th C. AD➡Until the 7th C. AD➡From the 8th C. AD onwards➡Middle Ages and later

In the 8th century, the centralized state began to compile history books, and local governments began to compile history and geography books. The San'in region appears as one of the main settings in the "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki", historical books compiled by a centralized state. In the San'in region, the "Izumo no kuni Fudoki", which contains unique tales, was compiled. At the time, such Fudoki were compiled all over Japan, but most of them have been lost. Among these, the only one that remains almost entirely is the "Izumo no Kuni Fudoki." In other words, the San'in region is an extremely valuable region, with a complete collection of historical documents written from the perspectives of both the rulers and the ruled.

Not only that, but it is also important to note that cultural assets related to the story have been passed down to the present day. The San'in region is not just a setting for mythology, but is a globally valuable region where cultural assets that are the basis of the stories passed down by ancient people can still be seen today.

For this reason, the San'in region can be said to be symbolic when it comes to the stories and culture of ancient Japan.

Until the 3th C. AD➡Until the 7th C. AD➡From the 8th C. AD onwards➡Middle Ages and later

These ancient books are not merely documents of ancient Japan, but have had an impact in a variety of fields.

First, art.

The contents of the "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki" have a history of being chosen as subject matter for performances in Japan's leading performing arts, such as "Kabuki", "Noh", and "Bunraku". Furthermore, most of the "Kagura performances" are based on tales from Izumo. San'in tales have also been chosen as subject matter in a variety of fields, including "Yamato-e", "waka poetry", music, and sculpture, contributing to the development of Japanese culture.

Secondly, international cultural exchange.

The "Nihon Shoki" was originally written for China and other Asian countries. It is believed that ancient Asian countries used the Nihon Shoki to understand what kind of country Japan was. There is no doubt that the myths of the San'in region played a major role at that time. In modern times, as exchanges with not only Asian countries but also European countries became more active, Japanese studies began in Europe. Representative figures include Siebold and Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo). The myths of the San'in region clearly appear in the books they wrote. In other words, it is highly likely that the first image of "Japan" that people outside of Japan encounter is the San'in region.

Cultural assets related to the stories of the San'in region not only convey the essence of ancient Japan, but also have a significant impact on future generations.

In other words, the cultural assets remaining in the San'in region are deeply connected to myths and other legends that were created during a period of rapid change in the political system and religion of ancient Japan. It is also important to note that they continued to have a major influence on art and culture in later generations.

The above information can be summarized in the following figure:

The San'in region is home to all of the cultural assets mentioned above. Given the wealth of information available, this is truly a cultural heritage site that we can be proud of around the world!

There are thirty in total.

Tottori Prefectural Mukibanda Historical Park
Izumo Taisha Shrine
Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
Tourist information for Tottori
From Ancient Times to Modern Day SHIMANE