A glimpse of research work methods & approach, which are supposed to be based on the ordinary protocol, is another merit of this site. I wonder if AI could become a potential tool for deciphering conundrums of ancient texts (surely expensive, a matter of budget). This occurred to me while the video walk me through a potential significance of "shoso". Basic work, digitizing documents, would predictably tedious, time-consuming process, but with intelligent algorithm & super fast computer would surely contribute much. Meanwhile, rely on human power!
A stunning revealing to the public, concisely & accessibly presented. Another surprise, even shocking, is how this kind of research specifically on the ancient Japanese how it might be stays way away from the public eye! The ministry of education etc., should review curriculum overall. WWII not over yet in Japan otherwise! In that sense, it's a great pleasure to watch progresses backed by intensive research works like this! Thank you very much!
Comments & questions. 1. Missing record of "shoso". An exquisite explanation is given here, but in hind sight, yet skepticism remains. In retrospect, a sheer speculation by a layman goes: before finishing the report (Fudoki), then editorial board might have time to refer to or to aggregate the missing data in those 3 in order to better coordinate others "Guns" in specifications. The term "shoso" might not be applied in the earlier reports, but an equivalent is supposed to be in place. No reference to it? In the text, as pointed out here, "items in the warehouse likewise ...", that indicates its existence! Given the importance/emergence then, total omission looks bizarre & curious, to say the least. 2. In Izumo & Oki. Probably due to of timetable restriction, that of Oki was not referred to, although its profiles would be similar. 3. Establishment & relinquishment of warehouse of special purpose. Narrative there is very convincing & robust. Unlike ordinary, already set, warehouses, its scale may be a telltale sign of unusual situation at the time. International diplomacy pointed out appears some prowess of the researchers. Additionally, reliance on the local powerful influence would suggest a delicate power balance between the central & local regimes. 4. Blank space for signature. No more than a personal curiosity though, no name seen in the document is extraneous. It's a responsibility & at the same time kind of privilege. Is there any counterpart with names on it? Overall a fascinating research work to us all Japanese! Yes, "shoso" is a crucial key word. There would be more like that. Expectations, in that sense, can't be higher, given the inkling of further progress along with time! PS. The text goes about a catalogue of contents/items "it's likewise that of xxx Gun". Is that really written in such a way when the original report was presented or of an editorial work after reviewing the handed over reports? For the purpose of saving time & space. Also, here 2 gun names cited. Does that mean the presence of local variations?
The take of this report would be there're alternatives to access to Fudoki. As a register of policy making, stunning scenes are revealed. That's mind blowing, providing a glimpse of the ancient governing systems which are, to our (naive) view, highly sophisticated, e.g., infrastructure. A discovery of "shoso" remaining may suggest levels of geographical survey technique of the time was very advanced (+/- deviations)! Simply impressive the contents of Fudoki, as well as a great deal of research study with which unearthed otherwise unnoticed events were brought to light. Honestly, without any knowledge on Fudoki, this advanced level of information appears overwhelming! There some other videos edited more briefly, but the importance of this grade of study should be properly appreciated. Walking through historical accounts never fails in inspiring our curiosity. It's a great pleasure to know this is a stepping stone, more to come! Good luck & thank you very much for the informative, entertaining presentation concisely!
Before entering the main point, this site is gorgeous & fascinating intellectually! This is exactly what has been expected. An academic approach. I've already gone through some other interesting webpages worth of their own merit. As many others, only an ambiguous image is conceived - regional folklores & myths. An introductory narrative is very intriguing to overturn such an image. According to the explanation given here, that it assumed political, potentially military, objectives sounds quite convincing. A question is if the new interpretation was derived from an intention that it was time to take a distinct, more modern look at it or renewed attempt to scrutinize it lead to the mentioned conclusion without any preconceived notion. Another curious point is a mismatched figure in the measurements of distance. There's no way to prove it, but there could be 2 separate works (for some reason), or 2 different routes. This means there could be a change, either a wrong pathway was taken or a shorter one was taken, somewhere in the midway. Eventually, when the report was presented, there was a mistake or confusion. A sheer pastime by a layman. As noted earlier, the presentation is excellently & elegantly done, depicting a precise profile of Izumo Fudoki, which facilitates us viewers an easier access & a great deal of interest. Thorough, long-time & meticulous researches are now seen borne fruits. This is fascinating, intellectual excitement!
