ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to describe the historical background of Japanese archaeology in the hope of promoting mutual understanding between AngloAmerican and Japanese archaeology. Archaeological theory in Japan has long been culture-historical in nature. This is clearly evident in that archaeology programmes come under the history department in most universities. Despite the accumulation of a vast quantity of data, sophisticated excavation techniques and the elaboration of a chronology enabling scholars to engage in precise and detailed discussion, Japanese archaeology still suffers from a lack of any epistemological debate. This may often frustrate Western archaeologists (Pearson 1986:4; Anderson 1987:270; Hudson & Kaner 1992:119). This chapter seeks clues to the solution of such shortcomings of Japanese archaeology.
