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!