A Visit to the Omori Kaizuka

倧森貝塚Ōmori Kaizuka  (Omori Shell Mound) The other day I wrote about Ōmori and I mentioned that there was a paleolithic trash dump there that was the first archaeological dig in Japan. I had a little free time so I decided to check it out and take some pictures for the site. Actually, it was a lot less interesting than I thought it would be, but I don’t want the pictures to go to waste. Hopefully, there’s some interesting stuff in here for you. . Support Japan This! Follow Japan This! on InstagramJapan This! on FacefookJapan This! on Twitter Donate Support every … Continue reading A Visit to the Omori Kaizuka

What does Tabata mean?

田端Tabata (on the edge of the field) First Let’s Start with the Kanji, Shall We? 田ta rice paddy 端hata edge, boundary, beside, close to This is a place name found all over Japan, with reading variations. It’s also a family name found all over Japan
 yes, also with reading variations[i]. And despite sounding really backwatery to our modern ears, many people with this family name can apparently claim descent from the 源氏 Minamoto-shi/Genji Minamoto clan. So, stuff that in your pipe and smoke it. In the Edo Period, 田端村 Tabata Mura Tabata Village was located on a section of the … Continue reading What does Tabata mean?