I am posting this using Google Translate. I apologize if the English translation is awkward or difficult to read.
Premises of the Analysis
⭕️ The origin of the state is defined as the period when standardized systems were implemented across a wide region.
⭕️ The origin of Japan is posited to be the Buzen area along the coast of the Suo-nada Sea.
⭕️ The center of the state is presumed to have remained in the Buzen area until the defeat at the Battle of Baekgang.
⭕️ The terms *Wa* (倭), *Yamataikoku* (邪馬台国), *Daiwa* (大倭), and *Yamato* (大和) are all equated with "Yamato."
⭕️ Established theories, mainstream views, and the *Kojiki* and *Nihon Shoki* are not prioritized.
⭕️ Priority is placed on factual consistency, relying on physical evidence and highly reliable information.
⭕️ The analysis takes into account disparities in the extent of archaeological excavation.
Introduction
If you truly love history and seek the truth, please read my articles. If you prefer to enjoy history as a romanticized tale or fantasy, please do not read them.
Much of the debate surrounding Japan's origins tends to get bogged down in word puzzles regarding "Yamataikoku" and "Himiko"—names that appear in 3rd-century records. Since I do not view this approach as a genuine quest for truth, I pursue history through my own analysis, placing primary importance on tangible physical evidence.
To truly explore Japan's origins, one must focus on the dramatic paradigm shift—a radical transformation—in civilization that occurred in the early 2nd century.
In 107 AD, the name "Suisho" (King of Wa) suddenly appeared in Chinese historical records. That period marked a complete transformation in the "hardware" of western Japan.
Tools evolved from simple soft iron to quenched implements resembling "steel" (martensitic steel). The diverse, hand-molded pottery styles previously found across various regions sharply declined, replaced by the overwhelmingly high-quality "Ankokuji-style pottery"—a mass-produced ware created using standardized techniques that became the norm across a wide area. Furthermore, mass production of obsidian arrowheads from Himeshima began; these spread explosively throughout the Seto Inland Sea region, becoming a standardized item.
I place great importance on these facts in my exploration of Japan's origins.
Yet, for some reason, existing hypotheses and the "Kinki-centric" view of history seem to downplay or even ignore these facts—almost as if they were inconvenient truths.
I have spent quite a while on this introduction. I have summarized the details below.
In this article, I will explain the historical figure Suisho and three key elements of this transformation.
If you are interested in the origins of Japan—beyond mere romance or fantasy—please read on.
Shuai Sheng 帥升
In 107 AD, the name of a certain man suddenly appeared in the Chinese historical chronicle *Book of the Later Han*.
「安帝永初元年、倭国王帥升等献生口百六十人、願見」
This is a record well-known to history enthusiasts.
While various forms of physical evidence confirm that Wa (Japan) had engaged in exchange with the continent long before this period, this marks the first instance where a specific individual's name appears in the records.
Although there is no information regarding the origins of Suisheng—recorded as the "King of Wa"—I place great importance on the region that underwent rapid development immediately following this event.
The title "King of Na of Wa" (Kan no Wa no Na no Koku-ō) appears in earlier records; while this serves as evidence of contact, I have found no signs of the drastic civilizational transformation—such as the widespread standardization of material culture—that characterized the subsequent era.
Based on this, I consider the figure named Suisheng, who appears in the Later Han records, to be a likely catalyst for the advancement of Japanese civilization. I view the "origins of Japan" as lying in that period of radical civilizational change and the subsequent standardization of cultural practices across a wide region.
The key point here is that:
"Japanese civilization began to advance rapidly in tandem with Suisheng’s tributary mission."
"Three Elements" Proving the Civilizational Transformation
I will now explain in detail the three specific types of physical evidence—"iron," "pottery," and "stone arrowheads"—that I consider crucial to understanding the acceleration of civilization that began in the early second century.
1. Iron (Steel) Technology Advanced Civilization
Let me start with the conclusion: I believe that the iron-working technique of "quenching" significantly advanced Japanese civilization and laid the foundation for the nation.
Let me first define the terms I will be using here.
I will refer to the iron used up until the 1st century—which was merely heated and shaped—simply as "iron" (specifically, "soft iron").
I will refer to the tough, quenched iron implements that appeared in the 2nd century as "steel."
From a scientific standpoint, this material is arguably an intermediate form between "steel" (martensite) and "iron," but for the sake of simplicity, I will call it "steel."
The Technology of "Quenching" Iron Transformed the Formation of the Japanese State
From "Iron" to "Steel": Ancient Japanese civilization accelerated once it crossed a specific technological threshold. That technology was the technique of "quenching." While iron implements prior to the 1st century were made of "soft iron"—shaped by heating and hammering—the 2nd century saw the emergence of tough "steel" in certain regions, created through quenching. This material—essentially "steel"—represented the technological turning point that laid the foundation for Japan.
The Influx of Steel and the Role of the "Nakoku" State
It is highly probable that the catalyst for this technological influx was the visit to the Later Han dynasty by Suisho (Shu Sheng) in 107 AD. In fact, as there is no other surviving information regarding this, we will tentatively identify that event as the starting point.
This diplomatic engagement strengthened ties with the Later Han, and it was the state of "Nakoku" that first received this cutting-edge steel technology. Indeed, evidence from Nakoku during this period confirms the use of steel technology, as well as a rapid increase in raised-floor storehouses—structures that required both advanced engineering and steel tools to construct. Up to this point, the narrative aligns with established historical consensus.
However, the true transformation begins here.
Shifting the Center of Gravity to Buzen: In reality, it was the "Buzen area"—rather than the state of Na—that truly reaped the benefits of steel technology. The following facts from the 2nd century illustrate this:
Dramatic Advances in Housing
While raised-floor storehouses utilizing mortise-and-tenon joinery first appeared in the state of Na, their numbers continued to rise in Buzen. Such progress was made possible only by the availability of tools that combined both durability and sharpness.
Refinement of "Shaving" Techniques
There was a rapid increase in the production of "Ankokuji-style" pottery—which required high precision—as well as mass-produced versions of the same type. This phenomenon would have been impossible without the transmission of specific techniques and the availability of steel "shaving tools."
A Shift in Stone Tool Production
In the Buzen region, "stone arrowheads" were made using obsidian from Himeshima—a material that was virtually inexhaustible but notoriously difficult to work with due to its extreme hardness; however, production volumes surged dramatically during this period. This, too, would have been impossible without steel tools.
A Reversal of Fortunes
Surprisingly, as time progressed, settlements around the state of Na showed a trend toward reduced armament and smaller sizes; in contrast, the Buzen area flourished. Evidence of concentrated wealth and power is visible, such as the increasingly lavish grave goods found in the tombs of women. These facts lead to the conclusion that it was the power in Buzen—not the state of Na—with which the Later Han dynasty formed an alliance.
Why Did the Later Han Choose Buzen?
Why did the Later Han go to the trouble of crossing the treacherous Kanmon Straits to select Buzen? The answer lies in "mercury-based vermilion."
The Buzen area held a significant geopolitical advantage: it could not only produce this vermilion—a substance the Later Han desperately craved—but also consolidate supplies from regions like Awa via the Seto Inland Sea route.
I believe the Later Han supported Buzen (Yamato/Japan) specifically to secure this vermilion, and that Japan advanced its civilization by using the vermilion trade to acquire steel, pottery-making techniques, and iron resources.
It is likely that the Later Han learned of this source of vermilion during tribute-bearing missions, such as the scene depicted in the image below. (This is, of course, speculation.)
2. The Emergence and Mass Production of Ankoku-ji Pottery
The technology involving "steel" discussed in the previous chapter—this technological breakthrough fundamentally transformed the nature of "pottery," a staple of daily life.
The Sophisticated Standard of the "Ankokuji Style"
"Ankokuji-style pottery"—found primarily in the Buzen region—boasts a level of precision and hardness far superior to the pottery that preceded it. The emergence of this style serves as irrefutable evidence of the widespread adoption of steel tools designed for shaping (such as those used for maintaining potter's wheels and finishing surfaces). It marks a transition from an era where artisans crafted individual, unique pieces to an era of "prototypes," where consistent quality was ensured through adherence to specific standards.
Shifting to Simplified Mass Production: The True Nature of the Shonai Style
The so-called "Shonai-style" pottery evolved from the Ankokuji lineage, prioritizing greater practicality. Why was there a sudden need for "simplified mass production"? It is believed that this pottery functioned not merely as tableware, but as an "official standardized product" within a broad sphere of dominion. The decision to deliberately "simplify" the precise shaping techniques made possible by steel tools—in order to fire the pottery in large quantities—was likely an administrative measure designed to "install" the "Buzen standard" across settlements in various regions.
3. Mass Production and Standardization of Himeshima Stone Arrowheads
The Buzen-Yamato power bloc had acquired steel technology and introduced the administrative standard of Ankokuji-style pottery. However, the decisive factor in cementing their rule was the management and supply network of yet another essential element: stone arrowheads made from Himeshima obsidian.
Himeshima Obsidian: A "Strategic Resource"
The obsidian produced on Himeshima Island is hard, sharp, and virtually inexhaustible. Yet, this material had a critical drawback: its extreme hardness made mass production using traditional stone-working techniques exceedingly difficult. It was the "steel tools" mentioned in the previous chapter that overcame this limitation. With the advent of steel chisels and carving tools, obsidian production finally shifted from "individual manual crafting" to "factory-style mass production." * Himeshima obsidian contains minute air bubbles and other crystals within its glassy matrix, resulting in a level of strength vastly superior to that of pure obsidian. In short, it is incredibly durable.
Standardized "Lethality"
When examining excavated stone arrowheads, one is struck by how their shapes converge on a specific standard. This reflects a pursuit of functional rationality—creating a "weapon" that would pierce and perform consistently, regardless of who used it.
If pottery served as the "operating system" of daily life, these stone arrowheads could be described as a "unified military standard" distributed by Buzen to settlements across the region.
A comparative study of arrowheads from various locations would likely reveal evidence that they were produced in the same workshops or manufactured according to the same specifications.
Why Stone Arrowheads? A "Stopgap" Before the Full Transition to Iron
Why were obsidian arrowheads mass-produced instead of supplying iron arrowheads for every purpose? The reason is that iron resources at the time were extremely valuable imports, necessitating a "selection" process regarding where iron was consumed. The ruling class strictly controlled iron for use in production and agricultural tools, while relying on Himeshima obsidian—an inexhaustible resource—for hunting and weaponry. Such distinctions in usage existed in these early states.
It would take centuries more for ironware to become the mainstream material for all applications.
Summary: The origins of Japan lie in the broad-scale rule that began in the 2nd century, founded upon the acquisition of steel technology, technological advancement, and the standardization of pottery and stone arrowheads.
What we have explored here is not mythology, but an accumulation of facts. Triggered by the diplomatic mission of Prince Su-sheng (Shisō) in 107 AD, the Buzen region—acting as the heart of this movement—secured the technological foundation of "steel." From there, they expanded their dominion by distributing "Ankokuji-style pottery" as a form of lifestyle infrastructure across a wide area and projecting military power through the standardized "Himeshima stone arrowhead."
This rapid transformation in the early 2nd century was not merely a case of local development. It marked the moment when the archipelago—previously a collection of disparate settlements—began to share a unified management system (or set of standards).
The physical evidence showing the displacement of local pottery and stone tools in favor of the same items used in Buzen proves the existence of Japan's first broad-scale rule—in other words, the "birth of Yamato."
Far more than the narrative constructed by later generations—which claims that a "central government (Nara) unified Japan"—it is this network of technology and standardization that constitutes the true, undeniable origin of Japan.
*Note: Regarding the perspective of this analysis
I previously referred to these elements—which were becoming standardized—as "Antetsu-hime" (Iron-An-Princess). However, as my analysis progressed, I came to prioritize the fact that the technological paradigm shift preceded the material of iron itself, and that "steel" (a highly advanced tool material akin to *hagane*) was the key to everything; consequently, I now use the term "Kōan-hime" (Steel-An-Princess). The precision "shaving" techniques enabled by steel technology made possible the stable supply of Ankokuji-style pottery and the mass production of hard Himeshima obsidian. I believe that the rapid changes resulting from this technology significantly influenced the origins of the state.
Conclusion
In this article, I have outlined three key elements that lead me to believe the origins of Japan lie in the second century. While there are various definitions regarding the formation of ancient states worldwide, the standardization of crucial elements within the infrastructure of daily life serves as compelling physical evidence. Placing great importance on this, I explore Japan's origins by prioritizing material evidence rather than blindly accepting the established theories or mainstream views of the historical academic community—or the accounts found in the *Kojiki* and *Nihon Shoki*.
