International Center for Folk Culture Studies

■ A Draft Letter of Acknowledgment by Tsuneie Nitta (an archival document of the Koyama Family in Hisagi)　　
■ A View of the Atagi Main Castle from Katsuyama Castle　

　The main focus of this study is the research and examination of archival documents about the Koyama Family in Hisagi, some of which have been found recently. A case study of the family will be conducted to reveal the existence and activities of the Kumano Pirates and the historical importance of the Kii Channel.
　Archival documents on the Koyama Family in Hisagi are rich in quality and quantity, and serve as a core of studies on the Kumano Pirates and the family. In this joint research, original documents on the family will be closely examined, sorted and published to make possible their wider utilization. These activities should enable us to reveal the family’s relationships with other Koyama families in Nibu, Jinguji and Nishimukai, as well as the existence of the entire Koyama Clan, who exerted their power throughout the Kii Peninsula and the Kii Channel. Lately, numerous archaeological studies on the pirate clan bases and distribution system in the region have been carried out. We will look at the archaeology and the history of castles there, building on these past studies and applying an interdisciplinary approach to clarifying the historical significance of the Kii Channel.

PL-Project leader　PM-Project member　

• [Second Term] Joint research projects(regular projects)
  1. Research on the history of maritime areas and people
• An Ethnographical Study of Traditional Female Divers in Taiwan Called Hailu, with the Aim of Developing Research on Traditional Female Divers in East Asia and the Pacific Rim
• Comparison of traditional wooden boat building and sailing techniques of East Asia

• 2. Research on mingu materials
• Fundamental Research on Functional Analysis of Mingu

• 4. Research on folk culture
• Research on the activities of Shibusawa Fisheries History Laboratory in the prewar period

• [Second Term] Joint research projects (grant project)
• Japanese Immigrants in Brazil and Their Lives As Seen through Mingu in Registro, the State of Sao Paulo
• Comprehensive Study of Archival Documents on a Kumano Pirate Clan – the Koyama Family
• Acceptance and Use of Folklore Studies by the Young Generation in the Prewar Showa Period
• Historical Study of Deep Sea Fishing in Oshima, Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture: Focus on Materials Salvaged from Great East Japan Earthquake
• Basic study on the research activities of the Attic Museum —Examination, analysis and folkloristic observations on the Oki research
• Study on Moriharu Kawarada’s application of herbal knowledge in modern industry

• [First Term]
  1. Integrated research on traditional maritime communities
• Comparative Research on Fishing Ground Use
• Integrated Research on the History of Marine Products in the Waters around the Japanese Archipelago
• Comparative Research on Traditional Boat-Building Techniques around the Pacific Rim

• 2. Presentation of folk implements and artifacts as cultural resources
• Basic Research on Nomenclature of Mingu (Folk Implements)
• Comparative Cultural History from the Perspective of East Asian Mingu and Material Culture

• 3. Systematization of nonwritten materials (Ebiki, physical techniques, landscape design)
• Comparative Study of Asian Ritual Performing Arts

• 4. Presentation of film materials as cultural resources
• Objects, Bodies, and Representation in the Attic Films and Photographs

• 5. Development of systems for sharing folk culture materials
• Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology during World War II and the Occupation