Mr. Syutoh has researched roughly 200 historical spots in Akaginanmen. "I was
inspired by the discoverer of the Iwajuku ruins, Tadahiro Aizawa (of Tadahiro Aizawa
Memorial Hall, director Chieko Aizawa, opened 1989 in Nisatomura-okuzawa). Between 1946
and 1951, I spent more than 100 days a year walking in the city and through the fields of
Akaginanmen looking for historical ruins", he says.
In addition to his own diligent research, which included studying the late Yayoi
S-shaped unglazed earthenware uncovered at the Akaido ruins in Akaboricho, Mr. Syutoh also
worked in the Gunma University Engineering Office. He was a friend of novelist Ango
Sakaguchi, whom he showed round prefectural old mounds, Yoshiimachi's Maniwanenryuu, and
other attractions. "The model for this character in my novel is you", Ango is
reputed to have said. |
