Chashi
Chashi (チャシ also 砦?) is the Japanese term for the hilltop fortifications of the Ainu. The word is of Ainu origin, from casi, which means palisade or palisaded compound; a rival theory relates the term to cas.[1][2] Over 520 chashi have been identified in Hokkaidō, mostly in the eastern regions of the island; others are known from southern Sakhalin and the Kurils; similar phenomena such as the ostrogu of Kamchatka and the gorodische of northeast Asia may have developed independently.[3][4] A few, including the Tōya casi of present-day Kushiro, date to the Muromachi period; the remainder date largely to the early seventeenth century.[1] As such their construction may be related to increased competition for resources as a result of "intensification of trade" with the Japanese.[1]
Contents
Form
The early Dutch explorer Maarten Gerritsz Vries described the chashi he encountered in eastern Hokkaidō in 1643:[3]
These forts were made as follows: on the mountain on which they were placed was a small road steep to climb, and round on the four sides palisades were placed of the height … of 1½ man's length; within this stood two or three houses. There were large fir doors in the palisades with strong clamps; when they were closed, two stout bars were passed through the clamps and thus fastened to them. At the two corners of these … palisades, a high scaffolding is made of fir planks, for a lookout.
Competition for resources
In 1604 Tokugawa Ieyasu granted exclusive trading rights with the Ainu to the Matsumae clan; lacking an agricultural base, the domain was dependent on trade; the Ainu in turn became increasingly dependent upon Japanese commodities and prestige goods.[1][5] Excavated chashi have revealed Japanese lacquerware, ceramics, ironware, and swords, as well as beads perhaps from Sakhalin; consumables included rice, sake, and tobacco.[1] In return the Ainu traded products derived from bird, beast, and fish; plants and medicines; and goods imported via Sakhalin.[1] However, "the market culture of the trading post … destroy[ed] the ecological balance … [through] overhunting and overfishing".[1] By the end of the following century, the depletion of natural stocks resulted in famine.[1] Furthermore, "competition over animals and fisheries was at the heart of most Ainu conflicts".[1]
Shakushain's Revolt
The Ezo hōki (蝦夷蜂起 Ezo Uprising?) and Tsugaru ittōshi (津軽一統志 Tsugaru Unification Record?) recount the internecine conflict of 1668/9, which culminated in massacres of the Japanese, military intervention, and subjugation, in what is known as Shakushain's Revolt.[1] According to the Ezo hōki, regional influence among the Ainu was based on "good land", "many utensils", charismatic authority, and physical strength.[1] In 1668, disputes over deer, bear cubs, and a live crane lead to the Hae elder Chikunashi and his mother burning down the Shibuchari casi and killing the escapees.[1] In response Shakushain sent the Urakawa Ainu to attack the Atsubetsu casi; driven off by musket fire they returned in force and captured it, after many of its defenders had left in search of food.[1] The conflict escalated the following year into fighting with the Japanese; after his final surrender, Shukushain was killed and the Shibuchari casi again burned to the ground.[1]
Known chashi
Among the approximately five hundred and thirty chashi identified by archaeologists, the sites of eight have been designated national Historic Sites: the Otafunbe chashi;[6] Shibechari River chashi and Appetsu chashi;[7] Moshiriya chashi;[8] Yukuepira chashi;[9] Katsuragaoka chashi;[10] Nemuro Peninsula chashi;[11] and Tsurugataicharanke chashi.[12] Others known include the Arashiyama casi, Harutoru casi, Onibishi's casi, Sarushina casi, Sashirui casi, Setanai casi, and Uraike casi.[1] Although there are nineteen chashi on the Shiretoko Peninsula, it is inscribed as a Natural rather than a mixed Natural and Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site.[13][14]
Functions
In addition to providing for defence against rival Ainu, chashi functioned as centres for gatherings and rituals.[1][15] They also served as "visible symbols of chiefdom power".[1] According to narrative uepeker or folktales, Akkeshi and Nemuro Ainu attacked the Uraike casi in the hope of "fine treasure"; other chashi were attacked by hungry Ainu looking for venison and dried salmon.[1]
See also
References
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