Editing Hokkaido (section)

=== Early history ===
During the [[Jōmon period|Jomon period]] the local culture and the associated [[hunter-gatherer]] lifestyle flourished in Hokkaidō, beginning over 15,000 years ago. In contrast to the island of Honshu, Hokkaidō saw an absence of conflict during this time period. Jomon beliefs in natural spirits are theorized to be the origins of Ainu spirituality. About 2,000 years ago, the island was colonized by [[Yayoi period|Yayoi]] people, and much of the island's population shifted away from hunting and gathering towards agriculture.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.hkd.mlit.go.jp/ky/ki/renkei/ud49g70000000mki-att/en_all.pdf|title=A Journey into the culture and history of Hokkaidō.|website=hkd.mlit.go.jp|access-date=2019-05-29|archive-date=2020-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917161923/https://www.hkd.mlit.go.jp/ky/ki/renkei/ud49g70000000mki-att/en_all.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The {{Lang|ja-latn|[[Nihon Shoki]]}}, finished in 720 AD, is often said to be the first mention of Hokkaidō in [[recorded history]]. According to the text, [[Abe no Hirafu]]<ref name="Japan Handbook p760">''Japan Handbook'', p. 760</ref> led a large navy and army to northern areas from 658 to 660 and came into contact with the [[Mishihase]] and [[Emishi]]. One of the places Hirafu went to was called {{nihongo|Watarishima|渡島}}, which is often believed to be present-day Hokkaidō. However, many theories exist concerning the details of this event, including the location of Watarishima and the common belief that the Emishi in Watarishima were the ancestors of the present-day [[Ainu people]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

During the [[Nara period|Nara]] and [[Heian period]]s (710–1185), people in Hokkaidō conducted trade with [[Dewa Province]], an outpost of the Japanese central government. From the [[Feudal Japan|feudal period]], the people in Hokkaidō began to be called [[Ezo]]. Hokkaidō subsequently became known as {{nihongo|Ezochi|蝦夷地||lit. "Ezo-land"}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=McClain|first1=James L.|title=Japan, A Modern History|date=2002|publisher=W.W. Norton & Company|location=New York, N.Y.|isbn=978-0-393-04156-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/japanmodernhisto00mccl/page/285 285]|edition=First|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/japanmodernhisto00mccl/page/285}}</ref> or {{nihongo|Ezogashima|蝦夷ヶ島||lit. "Island of the Ezo"}}. The Ezo mainly relied upon hunting and fishing and obtained rice and iron through trade with the Japanese.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}