Vaporis-“Digging for Edo”
This article argues for the importance of archaeological methods in
understanding life in Edo, even though archaeology has traditionally been
confined to prehistoric societies. Archeology has dug deeper into the ground than the edo period traditionally in Japan looking for items from pre-tokugawa period where much speculation of the Samurai tradition, etc. took place around the Okinawa area.
The first part talks about how recently (1960s+) archaeology has become a
more accepted practice in the study of more modern societies (generally,
people use it to about 1650-1700). He argues that it can be an effective
method for understanding pre-modern Japan. Although the Edo period is very
well documented, Vaporis argues that artifacts do not lie in the way that
written documents can (although he later says that the interpretation of
objects is difficult).
Because the Edo strata of Tokyo is being crushed by the weight of existing
structures, Vaporis thinks that it is crucial to do as much
digging/preservation as possible now.
Findings. He looks at excavations of areas inhabited by samurai during
the Edo period (although each site goes through many uses).
Archaeology
is interested in looking at objects within a context of the larger space
(layout etc).
Ceramics: finds different kinds of ceramics in many places, indicating
that ceramics were a market commodity that was traded from even the Kansai
region.
Food: indicates that there were lots of different foods being consumed,
even those against traditional Buddhist and Shinto dictates. Animals were
also kept as pets, especially Western ones. Lots of different kinds of
fish.
Space: lots of underground use of space. Used for water storage, food,
additional rooms etc.
Most of this material culture supports Hanley's conclusion that things -
commodities etc - were fairly abundant in certain places in Edo and people
used space etc cleverly.
certain places in Edo and people
used space etc cleverly.