The Yayoi Period (about 300 B.C.-A.D. 300) was Japan's Iron Age, an era when agricultural techniques significantly progressed. During that time, farming expertise, much influenced by the introduction of irrigated rice farming from Korea, flourished in the Kyushu region. From there, techniques quickly spread across the nation.
Among the great inventions were spades and hoes. Experts have pointed out that such tools have changed very little since their invention — an indication of their original sophistication. On show are numerous tools and other related artifacts; till Oct. 14.
Museum of Yayoi Culture; (0725) 46-2162; 4-8-27, Ikegami-cho, Izumi, Osaka; Shinodayama Station, JR Hanwa Line. 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ¥600. Closed Mon.(except Sept. 17, Oct. 8), Sept. 18, Oct. 9. www.kanku-city.or.jp/yayoi/tokubetsu.
