There is a type of unglazed pottery from the Kofun to Heian period called “hajiki.” This name was created in order to distinguish the difference from two separate eras – one being pre-medieval and the other being post-medieval Japan. It features various types of wares from dishes, shallow bowls, and several types of cooking tools. Dishes and shallow bowls are often excavated together in groups without much ware and tare. Speculation is that they were not for daily use; instead, they were brought out only once or twice for special occasions such as banquets and groundbreaking ceremonies. Great quantities of such items have been discovered at the Ruins of Hinoe Castle in the past, and the data confirms that a huge number of them may have been thrown into the ground along with other foreign substances in order to fill up the massive gap that existed at the Ninomaru the Second Enclosure site.
Arima clan becomes the Office of Higo Protector in 1539 during Arima Aruzumi’s generation; thus, it is possible that a banning protocol against possession of unglazed earthenware may have been given time to time. Aforesaid courtesy is often seen around Kyoto and other locations where the feudal samurai families held their central power. Therefore, it is speculated that it may have been a regular custom for a regional lord with significant political ties to perform such an act.

＃Relics_excavated_at_the_site_of_the_Hinoe_Castle_ruins