Why was such an invaluable seal buried on the western shore of Shikanoshima? There are several views about it.

　

　　Palace theory:　・・・　The palace was located there.

　　Grave theory: 　・・・　The grave of the ruler of the Wa nation was
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　located there.

　　Hiding theory:　・・・　The seal was hidden there since the nation
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　was in turmoil at that time.

　　Abandonment theory:・・・The seal, an offensive piece of evidence
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　of the subordination of Japan, should be
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　abandoned and was cast into the sea.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　Scholars feel both the palace and grave theories are irrational for an out-of-place location like Shikanoshima and the other two theories appeared because they firmly believed that the Gold Seal was given to the ruler of Wa or Ito. If the Gold Seal had been found in the southern Fukuoka or Kasuga city, the Nakoku palace or grave theory would have been acceptable. Had the seal been found in the Itoshima district,the conclusion would have been the Itokoku palace or grave theory.