Daikichiyama Tile Kiln Site

The Daikichiyama Tile Kiln ruin (大吉山瓦窯跡) is an archaeological site with the remains of a late Nara period to early Heian period roof tile production site located in what is now the city of Ōsaki, Miyagi Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. It has been protected by the central government as a National Historic Site since 1976.

Overview
As the imperial government extended control over Mutsu Province in the 8th Century AD, a number of fortified administrative centers and Buddhist temples were built in the area centered on Taga Castle. One feature of the buildings in these structures was the use of tiled roofs, which was a symbol of continental culture and the advanced state of the central administration. The Daikichiyama Kilns are one of several kilns which have been found within what is now Miyagi Prefecture dating from this period. These kilns were located in hilly land, near the sources of clay and fuel for the kilns. From the design patterns on shards found at the site, it was determined that the tiles from the kilns were used at Taga Castle, over 40 kilometers to the south, among other areas.

The site is located on the eastern slope of a hill about 50 meters in height, and consists of perhaps five kilns. The kilns are built underground into the slope of a hill, and are a stepless form of the traditional anagama kiln. The site has not be excavated in detail. Various styles of roof tiles have been recovered from the site, including cylindrical, flat, arch-shaped, and parts of a demon-shaped end tile. These are identical to tiles found at the site of Taga Castle, indicating that this was an official kiln of Mutsu Province.

The site was backfilled after excavation and is now a tree-covered hill with a stone monument marking the location. The site is about 25 minutes by car from Furukawa Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen.