The Asuka area, south of Nara, is one of the most historically rich in Japan. Whether originating here or due to migration from Kyushu, the Asuka area became the center around which most of Japan united in early centuries of the “Christian Era”. Reliable historical evidence indicates that exchanges between scholars of classic Chinese principles and the more aristocratic members of the Japanese court occurred as early as the mid 6th century. These exchanges not only gave rise to the infusion of technology, religion, and other aspects of Chinese culture, but astronomical calendar reckoning, astrology, and divination as well.

Unlike Kyoto and Nara, most of the towns in the Asuka area are rather small. There are many hills and small mountains with farms and assorted orchards mixed between. Among these, a visitor may find both remains of and intact kofun (tombs) of emperors and noblemen atop hills or high plateaus. From the perspective of archaeoastronomy, one of the most interesting of these is Takamatsu Zuka Kofun. While the exact date of construction is unknown, this tomb (discovered in 1972) provides one of the earliest and most interesting and definitive examples of Chinese/Korean astronomical influence on Japan in the 7th century. Paintings of the 28 sei shuku (moon stations) as well as the celestial Shibien surrounding the north star and remnants of three of the four “gods” of cardinal directions can be seen.

For more information, please visit http://www2.gol.com/users/stever/asukas.htm