Aritomi Junya

This paper collects earthenware with ink inscription of " 奉" and " 本", and analyses the characteristics of ruins from which the ink writing earthenware was excavated. Earthenware with ink inscription of "本" is often excavated. According to Minami HIRAKAWA's research, this " 本" is an abbreviation of " 奉". Putting these earthenware together and reviewing it, we would come to conclusions below. Firstly, these earthenware is excavated mainly in eastern Japan, but it is also found on a nationwide scale. Secondly, we can basically confirm that these earthenware was made in the late 8th century. And it was used in the Heijokyo Capital, then it spread to various areas. Thirdly, we can see the extensive influence of the earthenware as it has not only been excavated from remains of Kokuhu (provincial capital) and Kokubunji (provincial monastery), but also been found in the ruins of local government offices at township level and common villages. On the other hand, as the same kind of abbreviation can also be seen on the ink writing earthenware that excavated of Silla, we assume that the ritual form of using these earthenware had been brought into Japan from Silla in the 8th century.