Pointed Stone Tools/tongued Points/excavated from Naruka

Prehistoric Treasures from the Banks of the Kuzuryu River

Deep in the heart of Fukui Prefecture, where the mighty Kuzuryu River carves its way through the landscape of Eiheiji Town, an extraordinary collection of stone tools was unearthed during the late Edo period. These remarkably preserved artifacts—designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan—offer an invaluable window into the lives of ancient hunters who roamed the Japanese archipelago during the transition from the Paleolithic to the Jomon era, roughly 12,000 to 15,000 years ago.

The collection comprises one large pointed stone tool (sentōjō sekki), twenty-two tanged points (yūzetsu sentōki), and two stone cores (sekikaku), all discovered together in the Naruka-Sanshika district. This assemblage stands as one of the most significant Paleolithic-era finds in Japan, both for its exceptional state of preservation and the remarkable circumstances of its discovery and survival across more than a century of careful stewardship.

Historical Background and Discovery

The stone tools were discovered in the late Edo period during irrigation construction work along the banks of the Kuzuryu River in the Naruka-Sanshika area of what is now Eiheiji Town. Workers encountered the artifacts buried in an elevated alluvial deposit near the river's middle reaches. The find was first brought to scholarly attention in 1897, when Ono Nobutaro (pen name Ungai) published a report in the Tokyo Anthropological Journal (Issue No. 140), describing them as "a large stone axe and finely crafted arrowheads."

According to Ono's account, the artifacts were arranged in a deliberate configuration: the two stone cores were placed at the base, with the large pointed stone tool laid horizontally across them, and more than thirty tanged points positioned in the space beneath. This intentional arrangement strongly suggests that the tools were not simply lost or discarded, but rather deliberately cached or deposited as part of some purposeful activity—whether for trade storage, ritual purposes, or funerary practice.

At the time of discovery, the true age and significance of these tools could not be fully appreciated. It was not until the 1960s that renewed scholarly investigation and nationwide surveys of tanged points established the collection's importance as a rare assemblage bridging the Paleolithic and Jomon periods. This recognition ultimately led to their designation as an Important Cultural Property in 1997.

Why These Artifacts Are Designated as an Important Cultural Property

The designation of these stone tools as an Important Cultural Property rests on several compelling factors. First, the high degree of unity of the assemblage is exceptionally rare. No comparable example of tanged points found in such a concentrated, deliberately arranged group has been discovered anywhere else in Japan to this day. This makes the collection uniquely valuable for understanding how prehistoric people organized, stored, or ritually deposited their tools.

Second, the artifacts occupy a pivotal position in Japan's archaeological timeline. Tanged points are characteristic of the earliest phase of the Jomon period (the Incipient Jomon or Sōsōki), marking the transition from Paleolithic hunting cultures to the more settled Jomon way of life. These tools represent a technological innovation—spear points with tongue-shaped bases designed for secure attachment to wooden shafts—that reflects the changing hunting strategies of ancient peoples adapting to a warming climate and new prey.

Third, the fact that these artifacts were discovered in the Edo period and carefully preserved for over a century before their true significance was understood adds historical depth to their value. Three pieces were donated to Tokyo University during the Meiji period, and while some dispersal has occurred over the decades, the majority of the collection has survived intact—a testament to the foresight of those who recognized their importance even before the tools could be properly dated.

Highlights and Points of Interest

The Tanged Points (Yūzetsu Sentōki)

The twenty-two tanged points are the centerpiece of the collection. These stone spear tips, typically ranging from 5 to 10 centimeters in length, feature a distinctive tongue-shaped projection (the "tang") at the base, which was designed to be inserted into a wooden or bone shaft. Of the twenty-two specimens, six are complete, while the remaining sixteen show various degrees of damage. Importantly, examination of the broken surfaces reveals weathering patterns indicating that many of these fractures occurred before the tools were deposited—suggesting that broken tools were intentionally included alongside intact ones, a detail that offers tantalizing clues about the purpose of the cache.

The Pointed Stone Tool (Sentōjō Sekki)

The single large pointed stone tool is a striking piece that would have served as a formidable hunting implement. Its size and craftsmanship distinguish it from the smaller tanged points, and its prominent position atop the stone cores in the original deposit suggests it may have held special significance within the assemblage.

The Stone Cores (Sekikaku)

The two stone cores—raw material blocks from which flakes were struck to create tools—provide insight into the lithic technology of the period. Designated as appendages to the main collection, they are considered equally valuable from a scholarly perspective, as they help researchers understand the manufacturing process behind the finished tools.

The Transition from Paleolithic to Jomon

The Naruka-Sanshika stone tools date to one of the most transformative periods in Japanese prehistory. Around 15,000 years ago, as the last Ice Age drew to a close, the Japanese archipelago experienced dramatic environmental changes. Rising temperatures led to the spread of deciduous forests, the retreat of large game animals like Naumann's elephant and giant deer, and the emergence of smaller, faster prey.

In response, the people of the archipelago developed new hunting technologies. The tanged point was one such innovation—a more sophisticated spear tip that could be securely hafted and potentially used with throwing sticks or early bows. This period also saw the emergence of Japan's earliest pottery, making it one of the oldest ceramic traditions in the world. The Naruka-Sanshika collection thus represents a crucial moment in human technological evolution on the Japanese islands.

Visitor Information and Surrounding Area

As this collection is privately owned, it is not on permanent public display. However, visitors interested in Fukui Prefecture's rich archaeological heritage can explore several nearby institutions and sites.

The Fukui Prefectural Museum of Cultural History, located in Fukui City, houses exhibitions on the region's history from prehistoric times through the modern era, including archaeological artifacts from various periods. The museum is accessible by bus from JR Fukui Station.

The discovery site in the Naruka-Sanshika district of Eiheiji Town lies along the Kuzuryu River, one of Fukui's most important waterways. The area is also home to the Naruka Weir (Naruka Ōzeki) and the adjacent Kuzuryu River Naruka Water Museum, where visitors can learn about the river's ecology and the role of water management in the region's history.

Eiheiji Town itself is world-famous as the location of Eiheiji Temple, the head temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, founded in 1244 by the great Zen master Dōgen. The temple, set among towering 700-year-old cedar trees, welcomes visitors for tours of its magnificent seven main halls and even offers overnight Zen meditation retreats. The temple is approximately 30 minutes by direct bus from Fukui Station.

Nearby Attractions

• Eiheiji Temple (Daihozan Eiheiji) — One of Japan's most important Zen temples, offering guided tours and meditation experiences amid centuries-old cedar groves.
• Kuzuryu River Naruka Water Museum — An interactive facility near the Naruka Weir where visitors can learn about river ecosystems and water management through models and exhibits.
• Eshibo-kan — A cultural facility in Eiheiji Town featuring digital art installations inspired by Zen culture and local cuisine experiences.
• Tegakure Castle Mound Tumulus (Tegakure Jōyama Kofun) — The second-largest keyhole-shaped burial mound in the Hokuriku region, providing further insight into the area's ancient past.
• Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum — Located in neighboring Katsuyama City, this world-class museum is one of Japan's top destinations for dinosaur enthusiasts.
• Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins — A nationally designated Special Historic Site preserving the remains of a medieval castle town, about 20 minutes from Eiheiji.