B.Research regarding estimations of production centers of Japanese and Korean bronze products using lead isotope ratio

• HABUTA Yoshiyuki (Senshu University)
• KAMEDA Shuichi (Okayama University of Science)
• SONG, Ŭi-jŏng (National Museum of Korea)
• KANG Hyung-tae (National Museum of Korea)
• FUJIO Shin'ichiro

In basic scientific research carried out with a grant-in-aid during the period 2004–2006", entitled Multilateral Comparative Study on Introduction, Acculturation, and Distribution of Bronze Culture in East Asia," the group examined bronze products mainly of the Bronze-Three Kingdoms periods, found in the Kyongsang-do region in Korea (Old Gaya confederacy and parts of Silla), as well as those found in the Japanese Archipelago, and conducted lead isotope analysis on them. The results revealed that some types of lead considered to have been produced in South China possibly originated in a mine in Chilgok-gun, located near Daegu City, Kyeongsangbuk-do. In addition, the group found that the bronze products containing these groups of lead first appeared and started to increase around the fourth century, concurrent with the expansion of Silla's influence into the Daegu region.

In this research, the group will investigate the situation in the Old Paekche region in the same period. During the first year of the research, 2007, the group examined bronze products owned by the National Museum of Korea (NMK) and some excavated in Japan. This research was part of a project initiated in an international academic exchange agreement between NMK and NMJH and funded by the Leadership Assistance Fund.

From 2008 on, the research proceeded as scientific cooperative research carried out with a grant-in-aid, and the group continued to concentrate on the Three Kingdoms period to jointly examine, with NMK, bronze products from Korea and comparable ones in Japan. In accordance with the original agreement, the research project with NMK ended at the end of 2008. After this, the group has planned to hold discussions with NMK again, and depending on the results, continue the research in agreement with other institutions that own bronze materials of the Old Paekche region.

The group included three researchers from NMK. In Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, and Fukuoka Prefectures, the group conducted cooperative sampling of the materials excavated from old tumuli that were likely to have relations with the Korean Peninsula, as well as mines and casting related materials from around the period when refining works were started in Japan.

The Japanese members of the research team conducted sampling of materials excavated from old tumuli in Gunma Prefecture.

Four Japanese team members visited Korea and examined the results of sampling conducted in July. At Gyeongju National Museum and Pusan National University Museum, the group also conducted sampling of the materials excavated from old tumuli in the Three Kingdoms period.

Four Japanese team members visited NMK and examined the results of research conducted in 2008. The results were generally presented to Korean researchers at an academic seminar held at NMK on February 20.