Evidence of international relations in ancient times

Bottles and Jar, Beakje earthenware　Asuka period/7th century　Unearthed from the Naniwa Palace, Osaka Castle (lower level) and the Uehonmachi site

Despite the resemblance to sueki, Japanese-made unglazed earthenware, the shape and surface finish of these pieces indicate that they were produced in Baekje in the 7th century. Nihon-Shoki, the oldest chronicles of Japan, recorded that before the construction of the former Naniwa Palace, Naniwa (present-day Osaka) was a key center of diplomatic negotiation, featuring the institution for diplomatic ceremonies (Naniwa-no-Ogori) and the accommodations for foreign envoys (Murotsumi). The Naniwa area has yielded a great number of Silla and Baekje earthenware, especially no other area in Japan has such a large number of Baekje earthenware excavated as in Naniwa. This shows the nascent development of Osaka as an international city.