Problems surrounding the Theme "People and Mountains" : An Introductory Discussion

Abstract

In order to edit this special issue on "People and Mountains" the editors held a discussion meeting on the subject with the writers and a few other members on November 10, 1957, in Nagoya City. Those who attended were IKEDA Genta, IWATA Keiji, ONUKI Yoshio, CHIBA Tokuji, TUBAKI Kozi, TOMOEDA Hiroyasu, NAKAMURA Takao, MIYAMOTO Tsuneichi, and the editorial staff; KAWAKITA Jiro (chairman), SUZUKI Jiro, TAKAYAMA Ryuzo, and the recorder NAGATA Kazuko. The purpose of the attenders was to discuss freely any topic concerning the subject. The record of this free discussion was summarized by the editorial board. The main problems presented at the meeting were as follows: 1 Whether "hill people" really existed in ancient Japan? 2. The significance of the mountain ethnologically. 3. Ethnic differentiation between the inhabitants of the hills and the plains. 4. Patterns of intercourse between the people of the hills and the plains. 5. Why were temples sometimes built on hilltops? 6. Hills and rice cultivation. 7. Did mountain people make dugouts or not in ancient Japan? 8. Mode of communication in the hilly areas.