Pilgrimages to Archaeological Sites on Shikoku Island

An exhibition of archaeological objects from the four prefectures of Shikoku titled "Pilgrimages to Archaeological Sites on Shikoku Island" has been traveling throughout Shikoku since 2004. The exhibition is also being held in Tokyo as part of the Tokyo National Museum's archaeological objects exchange loan program.

Long before the four modern prefectures, Shikoku was divided into four provinces: Iyo, Tosa, Sanuki, and Awa. These provinces each developed their own distinct cultures. The Inland Sea and other sea routes enabled the people of Shikoku to actively exchange and trade with the inhabitants of Kyushu and the Chugoku and Kinki regions of the main island, Honshu.

This display features recently excavated objects from Shikoku that date from the Jomon through the Edo period. The items featured include pottery from each historical period, clay figurines from the Jomon period, bronze halberds from the Yayoi period, clay objects from the Kofun period, clay seals from the Heian period, a white porcelain jar from the Kamakura period, and an inscribed wooden tablet from the Edo period. It also includes a section with the theme "Healing and Prayer".