Ota Bun from Awaji Province (April 15, 2nd Year of the Joō

Awaji no Kuni Ōtabumi: A Kamakura-Period Land Register of National Importance

The Awaji no Kuni Ōtabumi (淡路国大田文), dated to the fourth month of Jōō 2 (April 1223), is one of Japan's most precious surviving medieval documents. This original land register of Awaji Province stands as a rare firsthand record of landholding arrangements in early 13th-century Japan, created in the immediate aftermath of the Jōkyū War—one of the most pivotal conflicts in Japanese medieval history. Designated as an Important Cultural Property, this document offers an unparalleled window into the political and economic landscape of Kamakura-period Japan.

Historical Background

In 1221, the Jōkyū War (承久の乱) dramatically reshaped Japan's political order. The conflict arose when Retired Emperor Go-Toba attempted to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate, only to be decisively defeated. In the war's aftermath, the shogunate consolidated its control over western Japan by confiscating lands from those who had supported the imperial cause and installing new military stewards (jitō) across the nation.

It was in this context that the regent (shikken) Hōjō Yasutoki ordered a comprehensive survey of landholdings throughout the provinces. The shugo (military governor) of Awaji Province, Naganuma Munemasa of the powerful Naganuma clan based in Shimotsuke Province (present-day Tochigi Prefecture), directed the provincial officials (zaichō kanjin) to compile a detailed register of all lands within Awaji Province. The resulting document—the Awaji no Kuni Ōtabumi—was completed in April 1223 and represents one of the few surviving original ōtabumi from the Kamakura period.

What Is an Ōtabumi?

An ōtabumi (大田文), also known as a tabumi or densūchō, was a type of land register compiled on a province-by-province basis during medieval Japan, particularly during the Kamakura period (1185–1333). These documents recorded the area of paddy fields, the relationships of land ownership, and the names of estates (shōen) and public lands (kokugaryō) within each province.

There were two main types of ōtabumi: those commissioned by provincial governors for the purpose of levying national taxes (ikoku heikinyaku), and those ordered by the shogunate to facilitate the assignment of military stewards and the levying of vassal duties (gokeninyaku). The Awaji no Kuni Ōtabumi belongs to the latter category, created under shogunal authority to document the new landholding arrangements following the Jōkyū War.

Of the twenty-one known ōtabumi texts, only thirteen survive in substantially complete form. The Awaji no Kuni Ōtabumi is particularly rare because it is an original document from the time of its creation, rather than a later copy.

Why It Was Designated as an Important Cultural Property

The Awaji no Kuni Ōtabumi was designated as an Important Cultural Property (重要文化財) for several compelling reasons. First, it is one of the very few surviving original ōtabumi from the Kamakura period. While many ōtabumi are known only through later transcriptions, this document preserves the actual paper, brushwork, and official markings from 1223—making it an exceptionally rare primary source.

Second, the document provides invaluable information about Awaji Province at the beginning of the 13th century, including the configuration of estates and public domains, the identities of estate holders and military stewards, and the administrative structure of the province immediately after the Jōkyū War. Scholars have used this document to study the transition from the old estate system to the new order of warrior rule.

Third, the physical characteristics of the document—including the red annotations, official seals, and joint signatures—offer important evidence about medieval Japanese bureaucratic and documentary practices.

Physical Description and Highlights

The Awaji no Kuni Ōtabumi is a scroll composed of twelve sheets of kōzo (mulberry bark) paper. The document opens with the heading "Awaji Province, Two Districts / Report on National Lands, Estates, Gardens, Paddy Fields, Dry Fields, and Land Stewards," indicating its comprehensive scope.

The register proceeds to list the estates and public lands of the two districts of Awaji Province—Tsuna District (津名郡) and Mihara District (三原郡)—along with the identities of both former and newly appointed military stewards (jitō). Red ink annotations throughout the text note the names of estate proprietors, while red check marks (kōten) are applied to entries concerning provincial government lands, estate paddy fields, coastal areas, and land stewards.

At the end of the document, seven lines record a formal report (chūshinbun) jointly signed by four provincial officials, including one bearing the title "Right Horse Guard, Fujiwara no Ason." This is followed by ten lines containing a sworn oath (kishōmon) dated the thirtieth day of the fourth month of Jōō 2 (1223), also jointly signed by provincial officials. On the reverse side of each paper join, the personal cipher (kaō) of a provincial official identified as "Retired Official (sani), Fujiwara no Ason" appears, authenticating the document.

The Naganuma Clan Connection

The creation of this document was overseen by Naganuma Munemasa, who served as the shugo (military governor) of Awaji Province. The Naganuma clan was a prominent warrior family based in Shimotsuke Province, corresponding to present-day Tochigi Prefecture. This historical connection explains why this document about Awaji Province (located between Honshu and Shikoku in the Inland Sea) came to be preserved in Tochigi Prefecture, far from the province it describes.

The Naganuma clan played a significant role in the Kamakura shogunate's governance, and their appointment as shugo of Awaji Province was part of the post-Jōkyū War reorganization of provincial administration across western Japan.

Visiting and Viewing

As a precious manuscript document, the Awaji no Kuni Ōtabumi is not on permanent public display. Important Cultural Properties of this nature are typically exhibited only during special exhibitions at museums, often for limited periods to protect the fragile materials from light and environmental damage.

Visitors interested in medieval Japanese documents and the history of Awaji Province may wish to explore related exhibits at the Tochigi Prefectural Museum in Utsunomiya, which occasionally features regional historical documents in its exhibitions. For those interested in the history of Awaji Province itself, the Awaji Cultural History Museum (淡路文化史料館) in Sumoto City, Hyogo Prefecture, offers exhibits on the island's rich history.

Nearby Attractions

For visitors exploring the historical connections of this document, both Tochigi Prefecture and Awaji Island offer fascinating destinations.

In Tochigi Prefecture, the Tochigi Prefectural Museum (栃木県立博物館) in Utsunomiya provides an excellent overview of the prefecture's natural and cultural heritage. The Nasu Yoichi Denshōkan in Ōtawara City celebrates the famous Kamakura-period warrior Nasu no Yoichi. The ancient Nasu Kokuzo Monument (那須国造碑), a National Treasure located at Kasaishi Shrine, is another must-see for those interested in early Japanese historical documents.

On Awaji Island, visitors can explore the Izanagi Shrine (伊弉諾神宮), one of Japan's oldest shrines, and enjoy the island's beautiful coastline and famous whirlpool currents at the Naruto Strait. The island is also renowned for its Awaji puppet theater (Awaji Ningyō Jōruri), designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.