Abstract
1. Interchange between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago has long been studied in the Northern Kyushu region with an emphasis on imported pottery. In this study the emphasis is placed on the imitation of pottery, and while interchange along the Japan Sea coast over the span from Izumo to Hokkaido was also taken into consideration, relations between Izumo and the Korean peninsula in particular received focus, and interrelations with Kaya in terms of ceramic typologies are summarized in Table 1.
2. In the course of performing this study it was discovered that a type of vessel shape of Shiomachi style pottery has a similar component in the northern Kyongsang-do region, and it was also thought that low-footed vessels and pedestaled dishes on shafts of cylindrical form came from Kaya and spread across the archipelago by way of Izumo. In particular, even though it exhibited pronounced change, the pedestaled dish seen as characteristic of Shonai style pottery probably developed in Yamato from the latter type of vessel.
3. It is only natural that the close interchange seen in the above manner between the Korean peninsula and the archipelago can be expected to have extended to the distribution of iron as well.
4. Based upon the latter premise and reviewing the archaeological data on Izumo, the suspicion deepens that the two extraordinary caches of bronze implements in the region were connected with this trade in iron.
5. From the above four points, and also taking into consideration the discovery in the city of Izumo of the Nishitani No. 3 mounded burial, the conclusion is reached that Himiko of the Wei zhi arose from the Izumo region to be selected as ruler.
