THE KOMAKI

The Makimuku ruins in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, are a strong candidate site for the ancient kingdom of Yamatai. At this site, believed to be the palace where Queen Himiko ascended to the throne, the bones of a dog from the early Kofun period (first half of the 3rd century) were unearthed, and its appearance at that time was reconstructed last April. Estimated to be a young female dog of over 1.5 years old brought from the continent, it was named "Komaki." It attracted attention with the question, "Is this the dog Himiko petted?", but delving into history reveals that it was not just "cute." At that time, China was in the Three Kingdoms period, when Wei, Wu, and Shu vied for supremacy. Komaki was destined to be tossed about by the turbulent situation in East Asia.