In a groundbreaking find on the island of Hokkaido, archaeologists have identified two parallel trenches lined with crushed obsidian and volcanic pumice. These paths show intense heat-stress patterns consistent with "fire-walking" rituals. This discovery suggests that early Jomon people engaged in dramatic physical trials to appease the spirits of nearby active volcanoes during seasonal festivals.
The site also yielded several "clapper" stones—primitive musical instruments—and charred offerings of salmon and nuts. The alignment of the paths with the summit of Mount Yotei indicates that the festival was a localized event designed to bridge the human world with the volatile power of the earth’s interior through the medium of flame and stone.