[Simejigahara, a place noted for moxa]

Area of Science:

• Botanical history
• Ethnobotany
• Japanese literature

Context:

• Shimejigahara, a historical Japanese place-name, was traditionally associated with abundant moxa and mugwort.
• Literature from the Heian to Kamakura eras suggests Shimejigahara was located in present-day Tochigi City.
• During the Edo era, the name Shimejigahara was applied to multiple locations, including Senjogahara in Nikko, Utsunomiya City, Ibuki Mountain, and Chiba City.

Purpose:

• To investigate the historical geographical distribution of Shimejigahara.
• To identify the specific species of wild mugwort (Artemisia spp.) found in various locations historically referred to as Shimejigahara.
• To evaluate the historical claims of moxa commercialization from Shimejigahara.

Summary:

• Historical analysis indicates Shimejigahara's location shifted over time, from Tochigi City in early periods to multiple sites during the Edo era.
• Botanical surveys identified *Artemisia princeps* in Tochigi, Utsunomiya, and Chiba, while *Artemisia montana* was found in Senjogahara and on Ibuki Mountain.
• While Edo-era papers mention Shimejigahara moxa being marketed, its commercialization is uncertain compared to established products like "Ibuki moxa".

Impact:

• Clarifies the historical and botanical identity of Shimejigahara, a significant name in Japanese cultural and natural history.
• Provides a basis for understanding regional plant resources and their historical utilization in Japan.
• Challenges assumptions about the scale and authenticity of historical moxa trade from specific locations.