Located in the small fishing town of Yoichi, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, is Fugoppe Cave, an archaeological site that contains over 800 petroglyphs carved into its walls, making it a unique location in all of Japan.
The discovery of the cave dates back to 1950, when two young brothers, drawn by stories of ancient texts engraved on the walls of a cave, decided to search for the place. After a brief exploration, they found Fugoppe Cave, named after the old name of the nearest village, on the slope of a hill called Maruyama.
Upon entering the cave, they found ancient pottery and tools, but what really caught their attention were the hundreds of carved drawings covering the stone walls.
After reporting the find, teams of archaeologists conducted formal excavations in 1951 and 1953, uncovering artifacts from the Late Jōmon period (1000-500 B.C.), such as pottery, arrowheads, and carved bones. But the most impressive discovery was the more than 800 petroglyphs carved on the west, north, and south walls, depicting human figures, animals, boats, and abstract symbols whose interpretation is still debated.
Experts believe the cave paintings hold shamanic or religious significance. They date back to the last centuries before Christ, coinciding with the Jōmon culture. Although their exact purpose remains unknown, archaeologists speculate that they were part of spiritual rituals related to fertility, hunting, or ancestor worship.
What makes this site unique is that Fugoppe Cave is one of only two places in all of Japan where petroglyphs in caves are preserved, the other being Temiya Cave in the city of Otaru. This contrasts with the abundance of cave paintings and engravings found in caves across Europe and other parts of the world.
The extraordinary rarity of this type of art in Japan is likely due to the fact that the few paintings that were made have disappeared over millennia, erased by humidity and erosion. The ones in Fugoppe were preserved by being protected inside the dry cave.
Another theory is that the Jōmon people of Japan simply did not commonly create cave art, unlike the prehistoric inhabitants of other places. The Fugoppe paintings might be an exception, possibly due to external influences arriving by sea from the Asian continent.
In fact, archaeologists believe they see similarities in the petroglyphs to rock art from the Amur culture, in what is now Russian territory, suggesting exchanges or migrations between these areas in ancient times.
The cave itself is small, measuring only about 5 meters wide and 6 meters deep, with a maximum height of 7 meters. However, it contained a thick archaeological layer about 7 meters deep in which stone, bone, and horn tools were found, as well as shells and divination bones, showing that it was used continuously for a long period of time.
Some researchers believe that the carvings in Fugoppe Cave (like those in Temiya) are part of an ancient writing system, the so-called Hokkaido Characters, which were discovered on the island in 1886. The Japanese Exploration Association claims that the inscriptions on the north wall of Fugoppe can be read as iishishirai (“here live edible beasts”) and kawasakanahakitsu (“here come freshwater fish”).
Fugoppe Cave was declared a National Treasure in 1953, but its fame extends beyond Japan. As it raises interesting questions about the connections between Japan’s early cultures and the rest of Asia, this small cave holds an invaluable archaeological treasure that may still yield surprises for researchers.
Since 1972, the engravings have been exhibited in situ, preserved behind glass within a small structure that allows them to be appreciated without the risk of deterioration. Photography is not allowed. One of the most curious motifs, the so-called winged man, has become a famous cultural icon in Hokkaido, appearing on all kinds of merchandise and even starring in a play.
This article was first published on our Spanish Edition on October 3, 2023: Los misteriosos grabados de la Cueva Fugoppe en Hokkaido, uno de los dos únicos lugares con petroglifos antiguos de Japón
SOURCES
Kotobank, Fugoppe Dokutsu
Ayuntamiento de Yoichi (Web oficial)
Board of Education of Yoichi Town, The National Designated Fugoppe Cave Remains, Yoichi Town, Hokkaido, Japan
Wikipedia, Fugoppe Cave
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