From Returning to Roots
to Synthesis

Half a century has passed since I first visited the tomb of Gyoki in my hometown of Ikoma, marking the beginning of a long journey into the study of ancient history. Eventually, my interests have come full circle, leading me to a renewed appreciation for the profound depth of regional history and the cultural history of Buddhist temples. My research style—immersing myself in primary sources, conducting fieldwork, and pragmatically employing any available materials or methods—has become entirely second nature to me.
While I was deeply engrossed in the ancient history of the Kinai region and its neighboring provinces, I unexpectedly found myself managing the "Universal and Particular Knowledge Research Project" at Tohoku University. This international collaboration seeks to rethink Japanese history by synthesizing various regional histories from across the archipelago and the history of cultural transformation from the Kofun to the Heian periods, drawing on a vast array of collective expertise and insights.
Just as I felt the evening was approaching, I was spurred on by the remark that "the sun is still high in the sky", leaving me somewhat bewildered. Nevertheless, I have decided to continue this journey a little longer. With Sendai as my new base, I hope to gradually broaden our understanding of the ancient world.