Unearthing Ichijodani: A Samurai City's Secrets Revealed
2025-04-14
Excavations in Ichijodani, once one of medieval Japan's largest cities, have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts revealing the opulent lives of its samurai inhabitants and the city's surprising prosperity. Archaeologists have uncovered samurai residences, the remains of the Asakura clan's palace, exquisite ceramics and tea sets, and even the oldest known Japanese flowerbed. Rivaling Kyoto in its heyday, Ichijodani was ultimately destroyed by Oda Nobunaga. Rediscovered after 400 years of obscurity, the site offers unparalleled insight into late medieval Japanese urban life and samurai culture during the tumultuous Warring States period.