Critical castle for Tokugawa

Turret like Museum

The other day, we visited the Yoshida castle (吉田城) in Toyohashi city (豊橋市). This castle isn't huge nor historically impressive. But, there's something special in the history of this castle. This castle isn't famous now, so, it will be shrouded in the darkness of history. We would not to be. Below, We'll describe how important this castle was.

The first story: Location

The history of the Yoshida castle is closely interacting with the history of Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康). Many incidents in his life were connected with the existence of this castle. At first, Tokugawa Ieyasu was born in the place called Okazaki (岡崎) as the son of the Okazaki castle's lord. After many twists and turns, he conquered the area around the Okazaki district. West of the Okazaki district was governed by Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) in the Owari (尾張) district. East of his district was controlled by Imagawa Ujizane (今川氏真) in the Sumpu (駿府) district. 

Around the north, there weren't typical ruler and several small scale Samurai Warriors were active in their small territories. And the point we would like to stress is the existence of the ruled area of strong Takeda Shingen (武田信玄). If say that again, Takeda Shingen was active in the further north of these Samurai Warriors' territories.
  
And one last direction, south of the Okazaki district was also controlled by many small scale Samurai clans. However, beyond that was the pacific ocean, so, there weren't enough space to widen his territory this direction. 

Tokugawa Ieyasu's strategy was clear. He allied with Oda Nobunaga and attacked other areas. At first, he attacked southern area of Okazaki and after that he targetted the clans in the east. The clans living in the north of Okazaki constantly feared that each strong powers north and south. If Tokugawa Ieyasu who lived in the south of them invaded their territories, they obeyed him. But after that, Takeda Shingen who had the ruling area in the north of them attacked their territories, they betrayed Tokugawa Ieyasu and obeyed Takeda Shingen. As for Tokugawa Ieyasu, he wanted the expansion of stable ruled area to the north, but betrayal after betrayal, he couldn't gain the stability in the north. 

These situation was continued a little long time, and when the power of the Imagawa clan turned down, he gained extensive effort in this direction. He invaded these areas and conquered the areas  up to the Hamanako lake. The Hamanako lake (浜名湖) is very huge and at that time it separated the Mikawa (三河) district and the Ensyu (遠州) district. So, he succeeded to unified the Mikawa district. 

The request from the ally was to continue the invasion and beat the Imagawa clan. He agreed with the request and went beyond the lake. He advanced into east of the lake. He chose Hamamatsu (浜松) and started to build a castle, his new front-line base instead of east of the lake where he could easily retreat in case of emergency. This decision would also be the answer of the request from Oda Nobunaga.

North of Hon-maru

The second story: Course of events

We'd like to summarize the course of events. The headquarters of Tokugawa Ieyasu was the Okazaki castle (岡崎城). Its location was the west end of his long-and-narrow-from-east-to-west territory. And the Hamamatsu castle (浜松城) where he himself advanced was the east end of dominating region. 

He had two strong points at the western edge (the castle lord was his son) and the eastern edge (he himself was the castle lord). However, there wasn't typical defense fortification in the center of his ruling area. And he had to remember the threat from the northern area. In the northern area, there weren't immediate threat. But once the Takeda clan started attack, many small scale domestic clans would betray him and strike his territory. 

There weren't many strategies for Tokugawa Ieyasu who was placed such a situation. He couldn't abandon the Okazaki castle. Then, he decided to enforce the Yoshida castle which was located around the center of his dominant area. For your information, Oda Nobunaga abandoned his headquarters several times when his territory was widen. His decision was quite drastic. On the contrary, Tokugawa Ieyasu couldn't decide such drastic decisions. In our opinion, Oda Nobunaga order such drastic decision to Tokugawa Ieyasu, but we don't know the truth. 
 
The Yoshida castle was chosen because of the access to each important castles, the Okazaki castle and the Hamamatsu castle. In the area around the Yoshida castle, there were many castles which had been around. So, Tokugawa Ieyasu would chose whichever he liked, he could renovate an existed small castle to a larger castle or he could build a brand-new castle. The Yoshida castle's location was suited for his request (accessibility), so, the renovation of this castle was chosen. One other reason was landscape of this castle. There was a immediate threat of the Takeda group, and he thought even if it happened this castle was available to prevent the invasion. 

Turret like Museum from other side

The third story: Renovation

In this course of events, the Yoshida castle was renovated by Sakai Tadatsugu (酒井忠次) who was the most powerful chief retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu. As for Sakai Tadatsugu, he had many concerns. Because the most important strategic point for Tokugawa, the Hamamatsu castle was still constructing. So, he couldn't use his desired number of labors. He had to consider the number of people and the materials for the construction. On the other hand, if the strongest hypothetical enemy, Takeda came to attack the Yoshida castle, violence of attack would be beyond imagination.

The original Yoshida castle before Sakai Tadatsugu renovated would accommodate several hundreds. And expected scale of attack would be up to several hundreds soldiers. However, if Takeda's army came to, it would occur with high probability, they needed to accommodate at least several thousands to defend. So, the renovation was kind of larger.

And we would like to continue considering a little more, Sakai Tadatsugu guessed the possibility of the invasion larger than ten thousands troopers or not? Maybe he did consider, maybe he didn't consider. The truth is hidden in the shadows of history.

By the way, can Tokugawa Ieyasu or he, Sakai Tadatsugu defend this area from the fierce invasion of Takeda Shingen? Historically, the invasion was happened. And according to somebody's internet article, over ten thousands troopers sieged this castle. 

One article describes that the invasion happened in 1571. Takeda Shingen and his armies advanced into around the Yoshida castle. He intended to cut the line of supply between the Okazaki castle and the Hamamatsu castle. 

Another article describes the invasion a little differently. It was happened in 1574 and Takeda's army was led by Takeda Katsuyori (武田勝頼; Shingen's sun). Shingen died of desiese.

The details of the battle was below. Sakai Tadanasa removed to the branch castle of the Yoshida castle. And he and his army battled with the advance troops of Takeda's army. During the battle, Tokugawa Ieyasu led his 5000 troops and they entered the Yoshida castle. In this battle, Sakai's army was heavily damaged and around 500 people died. Additionally, Tokugawa's was also tortured and around 2000 people died. However, they entered the Yoshida castle.By the result of the battle, Takeda's army avoided long time siege and they moved back north.
     
We would like to examine which opinion was true? If the battle happened in 1571, why the battle wasn't explained the relation with the famous 'Mikatagahara-no-tatakai (三方ヶ原の戦い) ' battle happened in 1573. And also, if it happened in 1574, why they didn't mention the famous 'Nagashino-no-tatakai (長篠の戦い)' battle in 1575. We think the battle at the Yoshida castle wasn't so big scale. In any case, the battle at the Yoshida castle wasn't fatal. So, these famous battles progressed without the relation with the Yoshida castle.

However, if the Yoshida castle was captured by Takeda's army, the Okazaki castle and the Hamamatsu castle were separated. Then, the incident would cause corrosion of Tokugawa's. And it would be more serious. Because it might lead to the destruction of Tokugawa. So, this castle was very important. In other words, it was the critical castle for Tokugawa's army.

Landscape model of the Hon-maru area

Present days…

We visited the remain of the Yoshida castle. If you visit there, you can appreciate Hon-maru area (本丸 ;the center circle of the castle) and other area. Old times castles were composed of several enclosed areas...If you want to know more, please visit the article, 'The Sumpu castle' 

The building is only a historic museum outside is like a turret at that time. This turret's like museum is also like the main tower of this castle. So, the whole atmosphere is exactly like a remain of the castle of samurai period. However, at the San-no-maru (三の丸 ;the third circle of the castle), very massive Toyohashi city hall is located. So, the main tower's like museum looks a little small size, it's a pity.

Actually, we don't have the key to solving the mystery what's like the Yoshida castle at Sakai Tadatsugu days. There weren't any drawings at that time. This castle was widely renovated by Ikeda Terumasa who had become this castle's owner. Remains, such as layout of the whole castle area, stone walls were made at Ikeda Terumasa days. Furthermore, written informations were drawn after that time.

We think if you know the circumstances when Ikeda Terumasa came to this castle, you will understand some difficult situation. And you may somehow agree with the reason why these information were missing. In 1590, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉) became the ruler of Japan and Tokugawa Ieyasu became the top retainer of him. And also he was ordered to change his dominant territory from the Mikawa district to the Edo district. Then many Toyotomi's samurai warriors for a long time were given dominant territories in the Mikawa district.

As for Ikeda Terumasa, he was given the Yoshida castle and wide dominant territory around this castle. So, he started renovation of the castle. He wanted to reconstruct the castle fit for his given huge power. 

The stone walls around Hon-maru were made during or after the Ikeda Terumasa's day. There is no information before the Ikeda Terumasa's day, for example, whether stone walls were there or not is not clear. However, the layout was same, which was intended to defend the center area, Hon-maru with wide river in the north of Hon-maru. And, to defend with several enclosed areas such as Nino-maru, Sanno-maru other directions.

And, we think there was the difference between Sakai's and Ikeda's. When Sakai Tadamasa renovated this castle, it was thought that enemy came from north-east. So, he strengthened the north-east district with branch castles. And Ikeda Terumasa's enemy was thought Tokugawa Ieyasu who was having dominant territory in the Edo district. If Tokugawa Ieyasu attacked this castle, his army would come from south. So, he made many defensive devices in the south of this castle. We suppose this point is the most important difference. We don't know other things.

 

Stone wall reconstruction site

        
Mending stone walls in the site…

The Hon-maru area was surrounded by stone walls and the landform was square. And, it seems like there were turrets all four corners. Why we can say that, a landscape model of the Hon-maru is exhibited in the museum. 

The remained stone walls around the Hon-maru area are starting to collapse. Because the preservation of these remains were not enough. The new situation of the inbound of foreign tourists caused the city clerk's mind change. They decided to call in the foreign tourists by maintenance of attracting facility, the Yoshida castle. The maintenance over several years was planned. And reconstruction of a stone wall near the main gate area of the Hon-maru was finished last year.

 
When we visited, a stone wall in the north of the Hon-maru was being reconstructed. The stone wall was beside the stairs to the river side. So, we couldn't wall down to the riverside walk. But it's a surprise for us. It's the first time to look at the craftsmen who have the skill to build old time stone walls. 

Only from the scene of reconstruction, we can't gain any information. So, we searched it on YouTube and found a video describes the research results of the reconstruction. By this video, the stone wall reconstructed last year was already reconstructed several times. The stone wall was planned and firstly constructed by Ikeda Terumasa. But the stone wall collapsed was reconstructed by some castle lord (unidentified at the time). Other evidence would be needed, but by the researcher who is explaining the reconstruction was held several times in the Edo period.

It would be maniac to visit the Yoshida castle in Toyohashi city. But if you are historical geek, worth trying.

L L B C (13)  Salt field 

🗾   L's Life in a Big City  (13)   🗾

The Kira (吉良) town was a center of a salt industry in the Edo era. Salt was produced at the salt fields (塩田) placed near the coast. It was carried to the Suwa lake (諏訪湖) lake in Nagano Pref. passing through Okazaki city and Asuke (足助) town. The route was called the Sanshu Way (三州街道). We suppose the Way was developed by the item essential for life, salt. 

If you want to know about Asuke, we mentioned something in the article 'Asuke castle.' 

Please visit.

We remember a old time incident, the Nagashino War (長篠の戦). Takeda Katsuyori (武田勝頼) marched from the Suwa lake to the Nagashino castle in Shinshiro (新城) city using the Sanshu Way. The reason of the march of Takeda Katsuyori might be the salt produced in the Kira town. Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) based in the Okazaki castle might be advantageous situation because of the salt produced in the Kira town.　The salt was fatal product for the every living things. 

If you want to know about the Nagashino War, we mentioned something in the article 'Arquebus 3' and 'Damine castle.' 

Please visit.

The way to produce salt is a complicated process as below. At first, people deliver sea water on the sand all around the huge salt field. And the strong sunlight dries the sand. Then the sand on the salt field became quite salty, or became to contain a lot of salt. People gather the surface sand at one place. And they put them on a huge pot, and add sea water on them, and boil down them until they lose water. After the boiling down, they gather the boiled surface juice which has high concentration of salt. They continue this cycle several times. When the surface juice lose whole water, it became the pure salt. Then, they finally produce pure salt from the sea water.

    

You can learn these things at the Kira-aibajio-no-sato (吉良饗庭塩の里) museum.  https://www.aibajio.jp

At the museum, we can experience a demonstration of salt producing. If you want to join it, you should call 10 or more attendees. The reason we suppose is because the work would be such hard labor. Furthermore, you should also submit the demonstration at 10 days in advance. The participation fee is 500 yen per person at the moment. One more additional information, when it becomes rainy day, you can't do the outdoor actions.

 L L B C (12) Garden park

🗾   L's Life in a Big City  (12)   🗾

At Hamanako Lake in Shizuoka Pref., there's the botanical garden named 'garden park.' From April 6th to June 2nd in 2024, the event called 'Hanahaku' is held there. During the event period, you can enjoy so many beautifully decorated gardens there.

And the site is unbelievably wide and countless spring flowers are fully blooming now. There are dozens of gardens decorated in kind of western style, if you ask the style for me but I don't know the style exactly. 

 

Entering the entrance gate, you'll find spacious area like plaza. You can eat lunch which you brought, and if you didn't bring, looking around, you can find several food stalls. In the center of the park, wide canal is lying down. So, the gardens covered with pale-blue flowers are beyond the shining water surface, very attractive.

In the deeper area, you can find elaborated theme gardens which remind us various countries. Such as Chinese, Tibetan, Indnesian, Austrian…of couse Japanese. Every gardens are decorated gorgeously and impressively.

In the deepest position, you'll find 'Impressionist's garden' and countless types of flowers are blooming all at once. And also, you'll find a pond which reminds us Claude Monet's pictures. You can stroll around the pond and you'll find many good places to take photos.

   

We visited there without background information, however, we fully enjoyed. 

One thing that we regret is that we couldn't get around whole sites in one day.

Sail all around Japan: part 3 (final)

 Sail all around Japan: part 3

As we have written in a previous article, we've arrived at the Kagoshima (鹿児島) port, southern end of Kyushu (九州). And also, we have met a very important merchant, Mr. Hamasaki (浜崎氏). The Hamasaki merchant group had wide maritime routes. These routes were west-Kyushu costal line from Kagoshima to Northern area, north-Kyushu and Japan-sea lines to Hakodate (函館) in Hokkaido (北海道). These maritime routes were wide enough to cover our reckless plan.

Although they were one of merchants patronized by the Satsuma-han (薩摩藩), they were a private company. They maintained constant large-scale shipping activities by their decisions. That is the most reassuring thing, because in case of emergency, they can decide their own decisions. We will roll up our sleeves and go as long as we can. And we would like to focus on the route around Hokkaido as soon as possible.

The Satsuma-han (薩摩藩) was considered to be one of the great power (powerful rural governments) in the Edo period. This great power protected the Hamasaki merchant group from the regulations of the central government or "Bakufu(幕府)" and rural governments (諸藩). And it ordered trading and maritime cargo shipping of it's own produces.

We are surprised by the fact that Hamasaki group (浜崎家) visited far north region like Hokkaido (北海道). Having said that, we think we slightly understand the possibility. Because we agree the fact that the Satsuma-han's power was overwhelming other rural governments in the Edo period.

By the way, we would like to explain a little about the maritime cargo in the Sea of Japan (日本海). The cargo ships sailed in the Sea of Japan were called "Kitamaesen (北前船)." These cargo ships started Osaka and visited Shimonoseki (下関), and leaving Shimonoseki, they sailed costal routes of the Sea of Japan to Hokkaido. And after the arrival at Hokkaido, they sailed opposite way. 

The Sea of Japan was difficult to navigate for the cargo ships at that time. However, many merchants tried to enter this business. Because, if they succeeded to enter the business, they could earn quite many fortune.

So, we think the Satsuma-han couldn't keep looking silently, and stuck their noses where the plenty of fortune was there. We think we've mentioned a little sarcastic comment. Therefore, we should leave off around here, because they give fortunate for us, we should say thank you for them. 

Then the story continues like this.

A cargo ship which departed the Kagoshima port (鹿児島港) stops at the Nagasaki port (長崎港). This port locates north-west region of Kyushu (九州).

By the way, why the Hamasaki group had their branch at the Nagasaki port? The reason was that they maintained the trade with foreign countries.

Officially, Japan avoided trade, but actually Japan engaged in trade with the Netherlands and China. And, the Nagasaki port was famous as the only international port to these countries.

The trading ships from the Netherlands visited the Nagasaki port, and the trade between the Netherlands and Japan was flourished there. However, the volume of trade between China and Japan was 9 times larger than the volume between the Netherlands and Japan.  

If we mention the trading products of the Satsuma-han, they exported many seafood and ceramics called Satsuma-yaki (薩摩焼) to China. And also the Satsuma-han was active to the Netherlands. The Netherlands imported gold, silver, copper and camphor or "Shono (樟脳)" from Japan. And this camphor was exclusively exported from the Satsuma-han. The Dutch East India Company shipped camphor as the fragrances to their homeland. The Hamasaki group was involved in this trade and shipping between the Satsuma-han's territories to this port. 

Then, what was the connection between the Nagasaki port (長崎港) and the Shimonoseki port (下関港) ? And, between these ports and "Kitamaesen (北前船)" which sailed in the Sea of Japan (日本海)? That was kelp (one of seaweed) or "Konbu (昆布)." Large amount of kelp was exported to China from the Nagasaki port. And the kelp was produced in Hokkaido (北海道). So, the maritime cargo merchants shipped kelp produced in Hokkaido to the Nagasaki port. Moreover, the merchants group from Nagasaki had the branch at Hakodate (函館) in Hokkaido. Because the trading of kelp was big business at that time.

We suppose that the Hamasaki group (浜崎家) also had the route from Hokkaido to Nagasaki. And they carried the products gathered at Hokkaido to the Nagasaki port using the maritime route in the Sea of Japan. In this way, we traveled Nagasaki, Shimonoseki, and Sado (佐渡).

The reason we got off the Hamasaki's cargo ship at Sado was to find another cargo group here. And that cargo group was called Zeniya (銭屋). The Zeniya group had established in Kanazawa (金沢). They engaged the maritime cargo business mainly in the Sea of Japan. And they had 34 branches in Osaka, Edo and all around Japan. They engaged not only the western maritime route (from Hokkaido to Osaka) but also the eastern route (from Hokkaido to Edo). 

Then the story continues like this.

We find the Zeniya's cargo ship and ride it. It sailed to Hakodate (函館) in Hokkaido (北海道). At this point, it becomes necessary to explain the special circumstances of Hokkaido.

Hokkaido was the region ruled by indigenous people even in the later Edo period. Only around 3 towns, Hakodate (函館), Matsumae (松前), and Esashi (江差) were ruled by Japanese. The rural government governed this area was called Matsumae-han (松前藩). Other area was not governed by any people except the indigenous people.

However, from 1855, the settlement of Japanese began. Because some foreign countries such as Russia and USA began to invade this area. Bakufu (幕府) allowed settlement then, but living in Hokkaido was prohibited before then. So, the cargo ships had visited many area in Hokkaido, but these were temporary stopping for the trading with indigenous people.

Especially in Hakodate, many "Kitamaesen (北前船)" merchants such as Zeniya (銭屋) opened their branches. And majority of the Kitamaesen merchants stopped only 3 towns, Hakodate, Matsumae, and Esashi. They bought products which were gathered by Matsumae-han's employees. And also sold many goods they carried from Osaka or ports of call on the way. Several merchants visited Otaru (小樽), which is located at west coast of Hokkaido and a little north of Esashi. So, for the usual Kitamaesen merchants, Otaru was the north end. 

If so, how we sail off the coast of Cape Soya which is the north end of Hokkaido? And we need to continue the sailing further. Are there any cargo ships which bring us around Hokkaido? It might be the core problem of this adventure. We will consider the problem in the next chapter.  

The true reason we focus on Zeniya (銭屋) is there. Several maritime cargo merchants based in Hokkaido were active in other places around Hokkaido. So, they sailed off the coast of west Hokkaido and visited many west coast towns such as Otaru (小樽) and Rishiri (利尻). They sailed off the coast of Cape Soya (宗谷岬). And also they visited several towns around Nemuro (根室).

Let's check the locations. Hakodate (函館) is located in the southern end of Hokkaido. And Nemuro is in the eastern end. When you sail from Hakodate to Nemuro, the route traveling the east coastal line of Hokkaido is shorter than the west coastal line. So, if there are 2 routes, you would be better to chose the east route. However, there were many ports for trade in the west route.

To tell the truth, we didn't find records of individual cargo routes. But we think there's high possibility that both routes (the west route and the east route from Hakodate to Nemuro) were existed.

Our voyage is held using these routes.

We land Hakodate and change the cargo ship. The cargo ship travels to the Otaru port, the Rishiri port, the Nemuro port, and go back again to the Hakodate port. Then we complete the travel around Hokkaido.

The reason we go back to Hakodate is the uncertainty of the direct cargo route to Edo. We have an information that the cargo merchants of the Sendai (仙台) port were visited around the Nemuro port. So, we can have an extra plan. The extra plan is that we will land the Nemuro port and change cargo group there, who came from Sendai. However, we don't have any information about the Nemuro port at that time.And also we don't know how often the cargo ship from Sendai visited the Nemuro port then. Furthermore, we don't know how many inn were there in the Nemuro port at that time.

At the worst case, we may stay at the Nemuro port a year or more. And we may not find inns or other places to rest in this town. So, we chose a secure route immediately.

 

We chose Zeniya's (銭屋) eastbound cargo ship from the Hakodate (函館) port. We moved to the Aomori (青森) port on the opposite shore, and the Sendai (仙台) port, the Choshi (銚子) port. From the Choshi port, we sail Boso Peninsula and go around it to the Uraga (浦賀) port. We have checked by the government there, and land around Nihonbashi (日本橋). 

We have landed Edo (江戸) again, and completed our reckless adventure!

We don't know the actual adventurers who tried this kind of travel. Our travel is sometimes conveniently for the plot. But, we hope you can agree if you have opportunity you can travel all around Japan using maritime cargo route.

During the travel from Edo to Osaka, we can describe the travel days with some degree of authenticity. However, after the departure of the Osaka port, we cannot. According to a book, shipping on the Sea of Japan was usually from Spring to the beginning of Autumn, and during Winter, no cargo ship could sail there. If our travel delayed and Autumn come when we are around Nagasaki or on the Sea of Japan to Hokkaido, we may get stuck around there. If so, we may need to stay there hole one year.

Lastly, we are happy because Japanese weren't stuck in homeland but at least around the homeland they sailed freely. The route-range was only around the homeland but they tried highly motivated trials. Then, after the feudal era, they soon became one of maritime powers.

Bye! 

 Sail all around Japan: part2

If we make a summary of the 1st story in one sentence, it will be like that. We departed Edo, and we arrived at the Osaka port 12 days later. In our impression, we did well at this point. But, we would face more difficult problems about our next journey from now.

Let's summarize them. 

First, we had already mentioned, we need to sail the Pacific ocean in the south of 'Shikoku (四国)' district, and after that, we should aim 'Kyusyu (九州).'

Next, we have to travel passing through the southern area instead of the northern area (where the traffics had developed).

And finally, we would aim Sea of Japan going almost around 'Kyusyu.'

Then, let's research the information about possibility to sail the Pacific ocean side of 'Shikoku.' The distance between Osaka and Shikoku is not too far. However, we had already mentioned, people didn't travel by ships at that time. The travel by sailing was not popular among Japanese. A few exception was an official travel such as 'Alternate attendance to Edo (参勤交代)' and there would be an emergency transmission some time.

But, we find the fact that the exception was open for business between Osaka and Shikoku. If we can use this exception business, we think we do make a miracle hit. At first, we would like to check the possibility of the route.

This operation was called 'Konpira-bune (金比羅船).' 

In the later of the Edo period, the Konpira-gu (金比羅宮) shrine had been getting people's attention as the spot for a long distance travel. The shrine was located at 'Marugame (丸亀)' in Shikoku. At that time, the long distance travel of common people was prohibited because that was considered as an extravagant behavior. However, there was an exception. If the travel was for religious reason such as pilgrimage to a shrine, that was allowed by the government. (Humans can't live only for work like a horse.)

The Ise-jingu shrine (伊勢神宮) and the Konpira-gu shrine (金比羅宮) were very famous as the destinations of the long distance travels of common people. These people were not everyone but selected few, furthermore, if they could travel, the travel was once-a-lifetime opportunity for them. On the contrary, from the view of the Konpira-gu shrine, so many people visited there and the visitation was unstoppable.

  
By the way, travelers had to journey across the sea to visit the Konpira-gu shrine. The merchants in Osaka had their eyes on the needs of the transportation. They offered inns and ships to the travelers.

'Konpira-bune (金比羅船)' ships traveled from Osaka to the Marugame (丸亀) port in 3 days and a half, if they did smoothly. The reality was different, and the smooth traveling was very few, almost all time the travelers spent without doing anything 5 days and more at their inns. Because of the waiting of the favorable wind. Many became angry and stopped waiting the wind. (Such people walked to Okayama (岡山) district, and they chartered smaller ships, and sailed to Shikoku from there.)

Then the most important question. Can we use this 'Konpira-bune' ship for our travel? The answer is 'No, we can't.' Even though we went over to Shikoku, we can't find the ships to the Pacific ocean side from there. 

Why? That was because of the feudal domain system. The story is a little difficult, so, we will change the chapter here. 

The era when we are imaginary travelling, Shikoku was divided by many feudal lords, Daimyo (大名). We'll describe the arrangement of Daimyo in the map bellow. The central government, the Shogunate of Edo ordered them to keep eyes on each other. So, the neighboring Daimyo weren't friendly to each other. Furthermore, they didn't have commercial activities, and didn't have traffic between each territories.

Accordingly, we can't expect the coastline traffics of Shikoku. (There might be regional costal traffics between neighboring villages, even if these villages were separated by the border line.) As such, we don't select this route because we can't feel confident of the existence of the maritime routes.

What can we do? Our reckless challenge has reached a dead end so easily? Then, we research another possibility. We find another route.

On the map, the Daimyo who dominated the Pacific Ocean side was 'Tosa-han (土佐藩),' who are relatively giant feudal lord. Tosa-han had the maritime route from the port in their territory to Osaka port. They had a monopoly on the product produced in their domain such as lumber, seafood and rice.

Such goods weren't handled by general merchants but special merchants patronized by Tosa-han. Because it would be difficult the samurai of Tosa-han merchandised these large size commercial transactions. Not only Tosa-han but other Daimyo ordered their special merchants the transactions of their local specialities.

These special merchants of Tosa-han lived besides the Kochi port (高知港), where was the very center of Tosa-han. They had their own Sengoku-bune (千石船)、and they traveled to the Osaka port often.

These Sengoku-bune (千石船) threw light on our travel. Which means we have found the maritime cargo route from Osaka to Kochi. And luckily, there is also the route from Kochi to Shimonoseki (下関). Shimonoseki isn't located in Kyusyu (九州) but Honsyu (本州). However, it was very near to Kyushu. So, we suppose that we may easily find the route from Shimonoseki to Kyusyu. 

The cargo traffic between Kochi and Shimonoseki was not so often. However, in this case, we'd like to consider we had very special opportunity to find the traffic. 

Our travel continues like bellow.

We find a timber merchant from Kochi port, and he and we make a deal to ride on his cargo ship. Then we ride his cargo ship (Sengoku-bune) which go back to the Kochi port. We can't find any record about this cargo line's travel time. So, we can't describe the transfer time here. From the previous information, the minimum travel time from Osaka to Marugame is 3 days and half, and to Edo is 6 days. Such figures may help you to imagine how long we spend in the cargo ship. However, there are so many other factors, such as the condition of winds, the loads on the ship or something.

We would like to mention one more thing.

Tosa-han was established at the beginning of the 17th century. And from the very beginning, they had been putting great effort into improving navigation skills. So, they could travel on oceans to Osaka or other places.
 
If we compare it with other maritime cargo lines. The main maritime cargo line from Osaka to Edo had the majority. So, they always had cutting edge technology and technique. We doubt the technology and technique of Tosa-han's ships are level with 'Higaki-kaisen (菱垣廻船)' or 'Taru-kaisen (樽廻船).'
We suppose they sailed along the coastline. (They developed collecting dangerous spots of the coastline route…they focused these kind of development we think.) 

After the landing on the Kochi port, we board another ship belonged with the timber merchant who supported our travel from Osaka to Kochi. 

The ship successfully travel from the Kochi port to the Shimonoseki (下関) port. The area, west of Shikoku (四国), and between Shikoku and Kyusyu (九州) is called the Hyuga-nada (日向灘). This area was famous as the dangerous place for ships.

So, there were many large ports surrounding the Hyuga-nada (日向灘). (The Shimonoseki port which was located at the western end of Honsyu (本州), the Hososhima (細島) port which was at east shoreline of Kyusyu and so on.) 

If we look at other area from Kyusyu, we definitely need to use ships to visit Edo or Osaka or somewhere. Daimyo who had the territories in Kyusyu had their own maritime ships. And they used them when they visit Edo for 'Alternate attendance to Edo (参勤交代).' Furthermore, they used many maritime cargo ships to deliver their special products to the market at Osaka.

In Shikoku, there were only connecting of the dots such as the Kochi port to the Osaka port or the Marugame (丸亀)port to the Osaka port. But, in Kyusyu, there were many connection between large ports in Kyusyu and near Kyusyu. 

So, we can't travel from somewhere in Shikoku to the Pacific ocean side in Shikoku. But, we can travel from Shimonoseki to several ports in Kyusyu.

To be precise, we don't know the main cargo route was including the stopping by Shimonoseki or not. However, if the main cargo ship didn't stop by Shimonoseki usually, other cargo ships visited at a certain percentage. 

Looking back on our journey, we did very few preparation, and if we miss a step, we'll be at the bottom of the deep ocean. But, finally have reached here, we have become able to use a promising information. 

At the southern area of Kyusyu (九州), Kagoshima (鹿児島) district was ruled by Satsuma-han (薩摩藩). And there was a merchant patronized by Satsuma-han, and his name was 'Hamasaki (浜崎)' there. Hamasaki was an extremely rich person who accepted many part of the trading and shipping jobs of Satsuma-han. His shop group had branches all around Japan. We can't describe all of them. But, at least, there were in Osaka, Nagasahi (長崎), Hososhima (細島), Nigata (新潟), Sado (佐渡), Hakodate (函館), Naha (那覇).

There wasn't Shimonoseki (下関) in this list, but describe of Nigata (新潟), Sado (佐渡) and Hakodate (函館) means the operation of 'Kitamae-sen (北前船).' If they had involved the operation of Kitamae-sen, they went in and out Shimonoseki. Because the operation of Kitamae-sen means delivery from Hakodate (函館) to Osaka or vice versa. And each route passed Shimonoseki.

In this way, we find a person concerned the Hamasaki (浜崎) shop group in Shimonoseki (下関). And we make a deal to ride a cargo ship of them. We may stop by the Hososhima port or not, it would not be important difference at all. We finally land the Kagoshima port. About this moving, we have lesser information about the boarding time.
 
Our voyage will stop here this time. At the last moment, we would like to explain a little. According to a reassuring information, namely the maritime route of Hamasaki shop group, we think we can travel to Hakodate (函館). But precise research is not finished.

Please wait until we start next voyage (the next article), bye!

 Sail all around Japan: part 1

We found the description that told "At the Edo period, thousands of 'Sengoku-bune' (千石船) or maritime cargo ships of 1000 and more koku loading ability were traveled all around Japanese costal ocean lines." Furthermore, we happened to see the map named "the ocean lines of 'Sengoku-bune' at the Edo period." And the routes were described all around Japan, from Hokkaido (北海道) to Kyusyu (九州).

By the way, we couldn't travel the past time, exactly the Edo period. However, if we could travel back in the Edo period, do you think we could travel all around Japan by 'Sengoku-bune,' namely the ships at that time? This time, we will describe the article with the words, 'would have' and 'could have' and 'should have.' Then we would like to start the time travel, the tour of maritime cargo ships all around Japan in the Edo period.

We already introduced the fact that there were so many 'Sengoku-bune' (千石船) or large-size maritime cargo ships all around Japan in the later half of the Edo era. These ships were traveled frequently from the production districts to the cargo hub center, Osaka (大坂) and the largest consumption area, Edo (江戸). As you see in the attached map, the routes of the cargo ships were really covered the Japanese archipelago. So, if you imagine in your brain, we think the travel (in the later part of the Edo period) would be theoretically possible. 

First of all, we need to select the starting point. Edo city where cargo ships were mostly concentrated would be appropriate for the place we set off. However, is that really possible to travel around Japan by the cargo ships? And also we need to decide another difficult decision that the route we aim. Should we go north or south? Which route will be effective for us? This decision would be fatal? About the final decision of the cargo lines, we would postpone a little. Again, even though we would have full luck and funds, is that really possible travel around Japan at the later Edo period?  

Before we start our journey, let us consider the situation we were sent. The Edo city of the later Edo period had one million and more residents. It was the first city where had a population of one million. The life of the residents were supported by the shipping from other places. To be specific, supplies were corrected at the largest collecting point, Osaka. These supplies were carried mainly by 'Sengoku-bune (千石船)' or cargo ships. And these cargo ships arrived at Edo and unloaded supplies there. These cargo ships that finished their main role loaded goods of Edo and shipped them to Osaka.

There also were supplies from northern district of Edo, for instance from the Sendai-han (仙台藩) territory. However, the amount of the supplies were smaller than those from southern district such as Osaka. If we selected the route to northern district, we would arrive at least Sendai (仙台) district. At this point, we don't have exact information of the cargo ships which traveled north of the Sendai-han territory. 

Each one is dangerous, however, it would be better to select the southern route from Edo to Osaka first. (In the end it's a matter of intuition.)

Then, which cargo group is more appropriate 'Higaki-kaisen (菱垣廻船)' or 'Taru-kaisen (樽廻船)'? There was the fact that the cargo from Osaka were mainly dominated by these two groups. But, around the later Edo period, the emerging cargo group, 'Bisyu-kaisen (尾州廻船)' became powerful. So, we will postpone the decision a little further.

We will search the information about shipping of the Edo city a little more. There were rice storages of the shogunate in Asakusa (浅草). So, the rice shipped from Osaka was landed at Nihon-bashi (日本橋) or around there and was carried to Asakusa. We guess 'Sengoku-bune (千石船)' which would carry us to Osaka anchored around Nihon-bashi. Then, we pay attention to 'Sengoku-bune' which temporarily stayed offshore of Nihon-bashi.

At this era, no commoner traveled by going across the sea.
(To be precise, there were very few exception, so, if we had a chance we would mention it then.) The Sengoku-bune's clews were only 15 people or so. And for the 15 people, sailing in seas was a life-threatening action. Because the navigation technologies were not established. So, they won't bring some commoners on board. For the clews, the travelers were nothing but nuisances. 

Samurai people might be allowed, because they were belonging governing class. If the governor ordered the boarding, no clew or no owner could reject the order. However, these orders were issued by the sponsor of the cargo such as Daimyo. (For example, if an urgent matter for a certain Daimyo suddenly happened, they made their servants use the cargo ship they had ordered.)

This time, leave it as though an incredible luck come to us. 

 
Then, time has come to decide the cargo ships. 'Bisyu-kaisen (尾州廻船)' couldn't enter around Edo city, because there was an elimination of emerging groups. They could only make a stop at Uraga (浦賀) in front of Edo. Furthermore, they couldn't put in at Osaka and stop at Hyogo near Osaka.

Now, also leave it as though we successfully boarded the 'Taru-kaisen (樽廻船)' aimed back to Osaka.  

When the contest of speed from Edo to Osaka, several cargo ships sailed only six days, but usually the travel time was around twelve days. These cargo ships traveled offshore but along the coastline. The cargo ship we boarded was a sailing ship so the travel was relying on the wind. If the adverse wind had flown, sometimes they went back to the starting point. Let's say that we did well this time. However, we might suffer from severe seasick caught in rough waves.

Our cargo ship departed Edo and resupplied necessary supplies at Uraga (浦賀). And it sailed from the offshore of Shimoda (下田) town to the Kii Peninsula (紀伊半島). Land was totally out of sight. At that time, when the cargo ships got closer to the coast of the Kii Peninsula, they didn't make a stop at some port there, for example Anori (安乗) port. Instead, they anchored offshore of coastline. So, our ship also skipped making a stop and entered the Osaka Bay (大坂湾), and docked at the Osaka port (大坂港). 

There were very few records of voyages at that time. And the analysis of the records were not enough done. Furthermore, disclosure of fruits of research was not enough. As such, our travel was supposed like the previous description.

Thus we had started Edo and arrived Osaka after 12 days.  

By the way, if we traveled by the land route, how many days we had to prepare? At that time, people traveled 40 kilometers a day by walk according to a book information. So, we should spend 13 days from Edo to Osaka. You may say travel over the seas didn't have so much advantage. The reason why the land route from Edo to Osaka had a big advantage was the existence of the highway, 'Tokaido (東海道)'. This highway was the most maintained one from Edo to Kyoto at that time.

However, when you selected the land route, the weather problems prevented your smooth travel very often. For example, you needed to pass large rivers several times and some of them weren't equipped the bridges. When heavy rain fell, your traffic was stopped by the rural government order at the riverside (this was called 'Kawadome (川留)'). And one more information, travel from Kyoto to Osaka was a one day trip by river boats.

All in all, at the later Edo period, there wasn't enough advantage for marine travel. We'd like to finish the first chapter at Osaka. We arrived at Osaka 12 days after leaving Edo. But what will happen next?

There were so many cargo lines in the Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海). However, we just had taken a quick look, there was no line to Shikoku (四国). For the travel all around Japan, we have to sail offshore of Shikoku's Pacific side and visit Kyusyu (九州) 's Pacific side. Can we find the route like that?

That's what looking forward to the next article, bye!