Abstract
Based on photo-interpretation and field survey, the site of an ancient highway, the Nankaido, was identified in the former Karita District in west Kagawa Prefecture. The highway was about ten meters in width and excluded from the sections of Jori. It was used as a boundary line of Ri in Jori cadastral system, and also of Go administrative areas through the former Karita District.
There are two possibilities for this arrangement: simultaneous planning for the highway, Jori system and Go areas or successive planning of Jori system and Go areas on the basis of the existing highway. Though a decision between the above possibilities is not easy, it is natural that the highway was established initially and was followed by the allotment of Jori system, and finally, Go areas were delimited with boundary lines on the highway and other Jori allotment.
Judging from the fact that the highway had already been fully equipped at the beginning of the 8th Century, the establishment of Go areas along the highway may be dated back to this time, and the delimitation of Go areas have been scarcely changed since then.
The Minister of the District was supposed to be Karitano-obito whose domicile was in Kii-Go. This means his close contact with the famous Kii-clan. The site of the District Office was perhaps in Sakamoto-Go closer to the sea and rivers and this location was surely based on the consideration of water transportation. Moreover, it should be noted that the Kii-clan excelled in ship-building techniques.
