1. The Rebellion of the Emishi People in 878
In 878, the Emishi people stood up against the ruthless rule of Akita Fort. It was the first full-scale rebellion in the province of Dewa, and it continued into the following year. Emishi rebels burned down Akita Fort and the surrounding houses. Akita Fort came under Emishi control, and the army of the ancient Japanese state was on the defensive. It was only after a policy of clemency, adopted by the new governor, Fujiwara-no-Yasunori, that the rebellion ended. Twelve villages had rebelled: Kazuno, Hinai, Sugibuchi, Noshiro, Kawakita, Wakimoto, Katakuchi, Ōkawa, Tsutsumi, Anetachi, Katakami, and Yakeoka. The Emishi people of Tsugaru and Watarishima joined them. The three villages of Soekawa (along Asahikawa River), Habetsu (along Taihei River), and Sukekawa (along Iwamigawa River) took the government’s side.
2. Records and Traces of the Rebellion of Gangyō
The official annals recorded the damages from the attacks and the pillaging of goods. The “Japanese Three Emperors’ Records” has a detailed account of the damages in an article from April 25 of the fifth year of Gangyō (878 AD). The excavation of Akita Fort confirmed the traces of destruction and reconstruction. The fort was set on fire. Burnt earth and other materials have been excavated from significant parts of the premises: the Administrative Office area, the Ōhata district, and the areas around the Outer Walls East Gate, the presumed Outer Walls South Gate, and the presumed Outer Walls West Gate. In the ancient Administrative Office area (within the Inner Walls), the remains of burnt white walls were found in the pillar holes of the main building from the ensuing period (period IV-B). Traces of burnt pillars were found in the remains of the east wing building in the ancient Administrative Office area. The rebellion of Gangyō destroyed the core of Akita Fort. After the rebellion, the entire fort was rebuilt and reinforced with stronger walls.
