HAYASHIBE Hitoshi

National Museum of Japanese History

Professor

I have elucidated the formation process of ancient states by surveying and studying the palaces and royal capitals of the Asuka and Nara periods, namely Asuka Fujiwara kyo and Heijo kyo. After a comparative study with Chinese and East Asian palaces and capitals, I extended my research to identify the characteristics of ancient states based on the respective identity of those in Japan. The National Museum of Japanese History is ready to deepen reflection, from an archaeological perspective, on diversification in regional communities of the ancient Japanese archipelago, especially local communities in the Tohoku region, Kyushu as well as the Japan Sea coastal areas.

In this joint study project, I intend to analyze the palaces and capitals of Japan, China, the Korean Peninsula, and other countries in Northeast Asia from a viewpoint of environmental history and reflect on how the environment influenced regional communities including palaces and capitals.