THE MAKING OF THE “SHIMA-HATA” LANDSCAPE IN THE “JORI-SYSTEM”

Abstract

In the Osaka Plain, the Nara Basin, the Kyoto Basin, the Ise Plain and the Nobi Plain, cultivated hatake (fields other than rice-fields) called “Shima-Hata” are often found in the rice-fields which are based on the ancient “Jon-System”. The “Shima-Hata” is an island-like or micro-mesa like upland field in each piece of the rice-fields. This paper is to make a historico-geographical research on the process of the changing rural landscape in Japan. The present writer investigated when the “Shima-Hata” land-scape was made and what were the conditions necessary for its appearance. As a result of the investigation, the following conclusions have been found. (1) The first historical document in which the above-mentioned “Shima-Hata” can be clearly recognized appeared at the end of the 14th century. Before the 12th century, however, it is thought that the “Shima-Hata” landscape did not exist. In consequence it is presumed that the “Shima-Hata” landscape was made in the 13th century or the 14th century for the first time. (2) In the ancient “Ritsuryo” period, cultivated hatake other than rice-fields could be owned privately, while the rice-fields were possessed by the State. Hatake were under-valuated in comparison with the rice-fields. In the Medieval Ages, however, difference in official evaluation between hatake and the rice-fields dissolved, and a higher value was attached to hatake according to the advance of intensive utilization. It is in these Medieval Ages that the socially and economically basic conditions for the making of the “Shima-Hata” landscape were fulfilled. Therefore, it is to be said that the “Shima-Hata” land-scape was closely connected with the intensive cultivation in and after the Medieval Ages. This conclusion is consistent with the above-stated (1). (3) The process of making the “Shima-Hata” landscape that the present writer has mentioned in (1) and (2) is also proved by the survey of microgeomorphology and surface geology. (4) There are two ways of making the “Shima-Hata”. A. By digging rice-fields located at the middle of a natural levee in order to obtain well-irrigated rice-fields. B. By piling up mud at one part of each rice-field on a flood plain.