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Shinobu Araki
Associate Professor
Spiritual "power spots" are booming now. People in the past and now share their wish to live happy lives and they pray for successful love, exam passing and the health of their parents and children. There are many "hallowed grounds" in Yamagata, where many people visit to have their wishes granted. The Risshaku-ji Temple, more commonly known as Yamadera, Dewa Sanzan, or the Three Mountains of Dewa, and the Jion-ji Temple are nationally famous and historically important places. But no full-fledged research has been done on them.
As part of my class work, I have been conducting research on the Risshaku-ji with my students for about 10 years. We go to the temple, touch the real thing with our heart pounding and gradually start to understand the feelings of people of the past. It is a thrill that can be enjoyed only in university-level education. Newspapers and TV often cover our activities and research results. New historical findings are carried by travel magazines as tourism resources, triggering an influx of many people from around the country.
An archaeological scene is an unknown space where nobody knows definite answers to questions. Teachers and students carry out research together through trial and error. Once experienced, you will be (well, purportedly) addicted to the excitement you experience when you have successfully deciphered characters and the fun of post-survey parties. Why don't you join us?