Archeological evidence in the form of whale remains discovered in burial mounds suggests that whales have been consumed in Japan since the Jōmon period (12,000 BC). Without the means to engage in active whaling, consumption at that time primarily stemmed from stranded whales.[13] Surviving Ainu folklore reveals a long history of whaling[13] and a spiritual association with whales.[14] The earliest records of hand thrown harpoons date back to the 12th century