History Research Institute

Disseminating the results of laser 3D measurement

With permission, we post 3D laser measurements of various cultural properties taken with cutting-edge equipment on the web. You can freely view the cultural properties from various angles and in great detail on your computer or smartphone.

Survey of Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple

In Harima Province, located in the southwest of Hyogo Prefecture, there was an ancient temple called "Harima Rokkaji" that dates back to ancient and medieval times. It was known that Rokkaji played an important role in the relationship with the local community, but clarifying the specifics of its history had been a challenge.

History Research Institute launched the "Medieval Yamadera and Local Communities" project in 2007 and has been conducting research on Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple in the northwest of Himeji City. Engyo-ji Temple, which was founded in 966, is the head temple of the Harima Rokka-dera Temples and still preserves a wealth of historical and cultural heritage. To date, the project has achieved many results, including the restoration of the temple space using 3D aerial lasers and the comprehensive investigation of excavated artifacts, stonework, ridgepole amulets, documents and scriptures in the temple's collection.

We are currently investigating the documents held by Engyo-ji Temple, and with the help of students, we are photographing each old document and creating a catalogue that includes newly discovered documents. Taking advantage of the characteristics of History Research Institute, which has researchers in fields such as document history, archaeology, geography, and cultural property studies, we aim to continue to shed light on the history of Engyo-ji Temple from multiple angles.

"Study on the Rokkaji Temples of Harima" I, II, III (Research Reports 11, 14, 21 History Research Institute Otemae University 2013, 2015, 2021)

Research on the Murotsu Sea Excavation Documents

A large amount of ceramics collected from Oura Beach in Tatsuno City was organized and classified. Products from 16 production areas, including Hizen ceramics, were identified. We are investigating the role that Murozu, known as a port since ancient times, played in distribution.

"Report on the Investigation into the Salvage of Fish at Murozu and Oura Coasts" (Research Report 20 History Research Institute Otemae University, 2021)

Research on industrial heritage in the Hanshin region

We are conducting research on modern industrial heritage sites, mainly in the coastal areas of the Hanshin region. In recent years, we have been conducting landscape surveys from the viewpoint of the sea, particularly on industrial and port heritage sites in the Osaka Bay coastal industrial zone. In addition to taking photographs and videos, we are also documenting them using laser 3D measurements.

"Osaka Bay Waterfront Industrial Zone Viewed from the Sea" (2018)

- Kobe Steel, Ltd. Kobe Steel Works No. 3 Blast Furnace Investigation Report (2019)

Survey of Buddhist statues at Tatsushinji Temple in Tanba City

Tatsushinji is a Soto Zen temple located in Hikami-cho, Tanba City, and is known for its collection of Buddhist statues with a unique style known as the Tatsushinji style. Some of these statues have been designated as Important Cultural Properties. We conducted a detailed investigation of the 59 main Buddhist statues, taking photographs and measuring them in 3D. We also transcribed records of the sculpture repairs made by the Japan Art Academy and compiled related literature.

"Report on the Investigation of the Buddha Statues at Tatsushinji Temple" 1 and 2 (Research Reports 15 and 18 History Research Institute Otemae University, 2015 and 2019)

Research on the Bundo Tomb in Kami Town

Bundo Tomb is a typical horizontal stone chamber tomb (7th century) in Tajima. It was excavated by local people in 1948 and 1970, and attracted attention due to the luxurious grave goods that were unearthed, including a large sword and gilt bronze products. History Research Institute, in collaboration with the Kami Town Board of Education, organized and investigated the excavated goods, and published a detailed research report.

It is believed to be a circular tumulus, and from inside the large stone chamber, three gilt bronze swords, horse equipment, and many sueki ware wares have been excavated. The tumulus and excavated items have been designated as a historic site, place of scenic beauty, natural monument, and tangible cultural property by Hyogo Prefecture. It is located at a strategic transportation hub leading to the Sea of Japan, and is believed to be the grave of a person with deep ties to the royal authority.

"Bundo Tomb, Muraoka, Kami-cho, Hyogo Prefecture" (Research Report No. 13, History Research Institute Otemae University, 2014)

Research on the Ryushi Mitsuzuka Tomb Group in Tatsuno City

The Ryushi Mitsuzuka Tomb Group is located across Iboshi Town and Ibogawa Town in Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture. This group of tombs has been known for a relatively long time, and is famous for Tomb No. 1 (a keyhole-shaped tomb) from which two triangular-rimmed mirrors bearing divine beasts were excavated in the past.

History Research Institute organized the Ryushi Mitsuzuka Tomb Research Team, which carried out research from 2006 to 2008, and carried out a detailed investigation into the exact shape and size of Tomb No. 1 and 2, as well as the structure of the remaining burial facilities. It was discovered that Tomb No. 1 contained an array of cylindrical vessel pedestals from the San'in region, revealing the image of a regional ruler with ties to Kinai and San'in.

"Research on the Ryushi Mitsuzuka Kofun Group - Survey of the Early Kofun Group in the Harima Ibo River Basin" (Research Report 9 of the Open Research Center, History Research Institute Otemae University, 2010)

Survey of Minamisho Tomb No. 3 in Kita Ward, Kobe City

Minami-Minjo Tomb No. 3 is a late Kofun period burial mound located in Dojo-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. Excavation work was carried out by History Research Institute over a three-year period from 2000 to 2002.

It is a circular tumulus with a diameter of 18m and a height of over 2.5m, and contains two burial facilities: a cave-in stone chamber and a stone sarcophagus. The cave-in stone chamber is an exquisite construction made by stacking relatively small square stones in multiple layers. It is also notable for being a left-sided stone chamber, with a sleeve on the left side when viewed from the back wall.

Grave goods such as weapons, horse equipment, accessories, and pottery were excavated from inside the stone chamber. It is dated to the mid-6th century, making it one of the oldest examples of cave-type stone chambers in the region.

"Minamisho No. 3 Tomb, Dojo-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe" (Research Report No. 8, Open Research Center, History Research Institute Otemae University, 2009)