The Guide Board

We see many 'Guide Boards' in historic sightseeing spots in Japan. Most of them are bilingual, Japanese and English. In some remote sightseeing spots, people concerned don't expect visit of foreign tourists and they make the things only in Japanese. On the contrary, many do expect foreign tourists, so they prepare the bilingual guide boards. Recently, we also see many Chinese guide boards as well.

We aren't concerned with Chinese, so we would like to consider the differences of Japanese guide boards and English guide boards. You may ask they explain same information, so there would be no difference. However, there are differences. Then, what kind of differences are there, and why these differences occur? We will describe below. The pictures are low image resolution. If you want to compare by yourself, please visit the historic sightseeing spot actually.

     

We thought if we categorize samples, it will help your understanding. At this point, we are predicting 2 types of factors.

1. Describing Japanese using 'Roman alphabet' causes mistakes for the translators.

2. English explanations are written by another person.

To understand why we categorize into these 2 types, please read our explanation of samples.

   
We will describe the samples below.
(1) The name of the historic sightseeing site
(2) The title of the guide board
(3) We want to explain what was happened.

No.1: Describing Japanese using 'Roman alphabet' causes mistakes for the translators.

Sample 1-1

(1) Verkehr Museum 
    (We visited this museum to write the article named 'Sengoku battle ship.' It's located in Shizuoka Pref. Shizuoka city.) If you want to visit 'Sengoku battle ship' click here.
(2) Kobaya ship model: Japanese title is '小早.'
(3) The title in English is described as 'Kobaya' but the body is described as 'Kohaya.' In our understanding 'Kobaya' is correct and 'Kohaya' is a careless mistake. If there is a differentiation, we are very sorry about our lack of knowledge. However, is it possible the difference of the title and the body?

Sample 1-2

(1) Hamamatsu Castle
    (We don't make the article about it as of right now. We want to do it if we have a chance.)
(2) The Castle Tower Bailey (Tenshuguruwa): Japanese title is '天守曲輪.'
(3) The title in English is described as 'Tensyuguruwa' but the body is described as 'Tensyukuruwa.' Usually, 'Tensyuguruwa' is correct and 'Tensyukuruwa' is wrong. We can easily suppose why this kind of mistakes happen. When you read '曲輪,' you will pronounce 'Kuruwa' because there aren't other words before that word. But, when '天守' connect, the pronunciation of '天守曲輪' changes into 'Tensyu-guruwa.' 'Ku' change into 'Gu' in this situation. (For your information, when you read '早,' you will pronounce 'Haya,' but '小' connect and the '小早' is pronounced 'Kobaya.')

Sample 1-3

(1) Hamamatsu Castle
(2) The Characteristics of the Castle Tower: Japanese title is '天守曲輪の石垣の特徴.'
(3) 'Irizumi': Japanese word is '入隅（いりすみ).'
'Dezumi': Japanese word is '出隅（ですみ).' 
'Watori': Japanese word is '輪取り（わどり).'
In this case, when you pronounce '入隅,' 'Irizumi' and 'Irisumi' are okay, so, you can choose each pronunciations. (We omit the explanation of '出隅' and '輪取り.')

When you write kind of difficult words which pronunciation are special, you can add 'Furigana.' 'Furigana' is a special description to support your understanding how to pronounce. So, in the Japanese text describes 'Furigana' in these three words. According to the Japanese text,

'入隅' should be read as 'Irisumi (いりすみ)' instead of 'Irizumi (いりずみ).' 
'出隅' should be read as 'Desumi (ですみ)' instead of 'Dezumi (でずみ).' 
'輪取り' should be read as 'Wadori (わどり)' instead of 'Watori (わとり).' 

Special words written by the roman alphabet in this English text are written avoiding Japanese 'Furigana' system. 'Furigana' system is the system full of kindness. We can't understand why the translator avoid this kind system, we suspect he don't know this system.

No.2: English explanations are written by another person.

Sample 2-1

(1) Verkehr Museum
    (We visited this museum to write the article named 'Sengoku battle ship.' It's located in Shizuoka Pref. Shizuoka city.) If you want to visit 'Sengoku battle ship' click here.
(2) Atake ship model: Japanese title is '安宅船.'
(3) Our attention is focused on the sentence, 'Atake ships were disassembled.': Japanese sentence is ' 安宅船は御座船に造り替えられた.'

We guess the English sentence is historically correct and the Japanese sentence isn't. If we translate the Japanese sentence according to the expression, it will be 'Atake ships were remodeled to Gozabune (御座船).' In Japanese history, the owner of Atake ships were ordered to disassemble by the Tokugawa shogunate. So, if you want to use the word, 'Gozabune,' you should describe 'The smaller ship, 'Gozabune' were newly made,' for example. In this case, we think the translator knows well Japanese history, so he changed the sentence a little. And the Japanese text writer maybe didn't write additional sentences because of 'word limit.' He should write ' Atake ships were disassembled and the smaller ship, 'Gozabune' were newly made.'

Sample 2-2

(1) Hikone Castle
    (We visited this castle to write the article named 'Sight Words: Hikone Castle.' It's located in Shiga Pref. Hikone city.) If you want to visit 'Sight Words: Hikone Castle' click here.
(2) Monument of Life of a Cherry Blossom: Japanese title is '花の生涯記念碑.'
(3) Our attention is focused on the sentence below.
The glittering sand stands for a flurry of fallen petals. : Japanese sentence is 'キラキラと輝く砂は雪をあらわす.'

The English text is the translation of the Japanese text. So, 'fallen petals' is wrong and the word should be 'snow.' But there is a very difficult historical fact. You should learn the historical drama which led to the creation of this monument. The hero of this drama, 'Ii Naosuke (井伊直弼) was assassinated in 1860. That was the climax of the drama. Then every Japanese history lover knows, when he was assassinated at the Sakurada-mon (桜田門), it was heavy snow around there. In this drama, the heavy snow and the flurry of fallen petals were the same metaphor of his fleeting life. The gross outline is okay, but as the translation, it's a mistake.

Sample 2-3

(1) MOA Art Museum
    (It's located in Shizuoka Pref. Atami city. 'Golden Teahouse' replica is also exhibited in Osaka Castle. That is the other version from the same historical information. We mentioned in the article 'Temple of Shogunate 2.' ) If you want to visit 'Temple of Shogunate 2' click here.
(2) Golden Teahouse, Tea Ceremony Stand, and Utensils: Japanese title is '黄金の茶室・台子・皆具.'
(3) The sentence we focused on is a little long.
The utensil stand, charcoal brazier, kettle, fresh water jar, ladle holder, waste water jar, kettle lid rest, tea whisk, and wiping napkin -in short, nearly all the utensils for tea ceremony were made of gold. : Japanese sentence is '茶筅・茶巾のほかは台子・風炉・釜・水指・杓立・建水・蓋置など点茶道具すべてが黄金づくりであった.'
    

The point is what were made of gold. According to the Japanese sentence, almost were gold instead of 'tea whisk' and 'wiping napkin.' But English sentence describe 'nearly all the utensils for tea ceremony' were made of gold. We worried that you misunderstood  'tea whisk' and 'wiping napkin' were also made of gold. For your information, the sentence describes what were made of gold. Then you had better have the comparison chart of tea ceremony utensils.

Utensil stand: 台子
Charcoal brazier: 風炉
Kettle: 釜
Fresh water jar: 水指　
Ladle holder: 杓立
Waste water jar: 建水
Kettle lid rest: 蓋置
Tea whisk: 茶筅
Wiping napkin: 茶巾

While searching, we found another kind of samples. That is Japanese text is long and detailed but English text is short and right to the point.

Sample 3-1

(1) Nagoya Castle
    (We visited this castle to write the article named 'Nagoya Castle' and 'Revisit Nagoya Castle Castle.' It's located in Aichi Pref. Nagoya city.) If you want to visit 'Nagoya Castle' click here. If you want to visit 'Revisit Nagoya Castle' click here.
(2) Nagoya Castle Hommaru Palace: Japanese title is '名古屋城本丸御殿とは.'
(3) The Japanese text is quite long but English text is quite short. We will list up the contents only explained in the Japanese text.
A) The Hommaru Palace was constructed on the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康).
B) In Kanei (寛永)11, 1634, the Jorakuden (上洛殿) was expanded as the Onarigoten (お成御殿) of the Shogun.
C) It was very famous as the prestigious (格式高い) palace.
D) The original was burned together with the main tower.

What we'll talk about is our personal opinion with no basis.

A) Because person who concerned had the bias Japanese tourists were fond of the historical hero such as Tokugawa Ieyasu.
B) The Onarigoten (お成御殿) and the Jorakuden (上洛殿) are kind of technical words, so it's a little difficult to explain these technical words. 'Was expanded' is quite additional information, so if he would, he should explain the historical background. 'Kanei' is a Japanese-specific era name, general Japanese don't know 'Kanei.' All in all, it's too difficult to translate and rewrite in English, so he gave up.

C) '格式が高い' is a word of Japanese taste. (Japanese like these kind of expressions.) If we tried to translate to English, 'prestigious' or 'high formality' would be the candidates. ('Kakushiki(格式)' means status, lineage and position. And 'Kakushiki ga takai (格式が高い)' means high status, good lineage and high position.) We think this expression would come into Japanese people's favor, but when it comes to foreign tourists, can they understand? So, the expression was omitted (we suppose).
D) Japanese used to think if the Hommaru Palace was burned, then the main tower was remained or was also burned. So, person who concerned previously wrote the additional information. But, for the translator, sudden appearance of the word 'the main tower' was not welcome. So, the expression was also omitted (we suppose). 

       

Sample 3-2

(1) Verkehr Museum
    (We visited this museum to write the article named 'Sengoku battle ship.' It's located in Shizuoka Pref. Shizuoka city.)
    If you want to visit 'Sengoku battle ship' click here.
(2) Sekibune ship model: Japanese title is '関船.'
(3) This case is the same as the previous one. The Japanese text is long and English text is short. We will list up the contents only explained in the Japanese text.
A) Sekibune(関船) ships didn't have enough offensive and defensive power in comparison with Atake ships (安宅船).
B) The old time small model had been donated to Shinsyo-in (信松院) temple in Hachiouji (八王子) city. This bigger model was made with reference with the Shinsyo-in's model.
C) The ship was '42 Cyodate (42挺立て)' and armor of the 'Souyagura (総矢倉) was bundled bamboos instead of heavy planks.
D) The name of Sekibune came from the ship which had been used by pirates of medieval Japan as the ship collecting the private toll tax. The name Seki (関) means a checkpoints to collect a toll tax in the old time of Japan.

     

It's also our personal opinion with no basis.

A) This comment is a commonly accepted theory with no basis. So, the translator omitted this comment when he had to shorten the total word count.
B) We think the detailed reasoning is important, so the translator should describe it. But, if he explains the the place 'Shinsyo-in' located in 'Hachiouji,' he should explain 'why there is' and 'where there is.' These explanations of authenticity are endless for foreign tourists. On the other hand, majority of the Japanese tourists don't care about the authenticity. If there are long explanation and many difficult words, it's enough. But they prepared the detailed explanation and someone could explain in case of some nerds asked the detail. The Japanese guide board writer don't afraid of these quite detailed explanation.     
C) The mean of '42 Cyodate' is '42 oars.' This ship equipped 42 oars to row. The mean of 'Souyagura' is 'whole area of upper part.' These words, '42 Cyodate' and 'Souyagura' are technical words, so we suppose, not so many Japanese can understand. However, the reason why these technical words were described is same as 'B).' 
D) The explanations of 'pirates in the medieval Japan' and 'system of the pirates' toll tax' are quite difficult. So, the translator omitted the explanations when he had to shorten the total word count. 

These are not everything we found. However, the more we try to explain plainly, the more we have to explain additional words. Then we decided to stop writing this article here. We would like to increase samples in the future. 

  

 Maritime cargo ship in the Edo era

Ships with the capacity of ocean voyage had been enlarged during the Sengoku period (1493～1603). However, the movement of growing was stopped at the beginning of the Edo period (1603). The enlargement of the ocean-going ships was requested by the time, in other words, to fulfill the military demands at that time.

Firstly, the enlargement of them was attempted to create favorable situations in the domestic battles. And later, in the end of the Sengoku period, exactly when Toyotomi Hideyoshi attempted the invasion into the Korean peninsula that was increased rapidly. He hoped to make military bases in Korea for the advancing of his army, and had the ambition to dominate the whole Chinese Empire. Then he ordered to make a bunch of large battle ships with the capacity of ocean voyage. Along this flow, ships which could travel on oceans were developed in Japan.

When the Edo period began, the diplomatic policy was changed by the administration, namely the Tokugawa shogunate who destroyed the previous administration, the Toyotomi family. They decided the seclusion of the country. The voyages abroad were prohibited.

Then it became needless the operations of the large ships which could travel abroad anymore. Furthermore, the prohibition of constructing ocean-going ships was ordered by the government, the Edo shogunate. The development of ocean-going ships of military use also stopped after this order.   That ment for Japanese there was no needs to construct ocean-going ships. Is that really happened in the Edo period? 

Neither they were. The development of  ocean-going ships and ocean-going transportation of commodities were urgent problems for the Japanese society at that time. Then the development skyrocketed. According to the progress, the trend of enlargement of ocean-going ships was reheated drastically.

To begin with, let us make a list of the problems which caused the maritime cargo development. 

When the Edo period started, several land highways were repaired. However, such highways were only between 3 big cities, Edo and Kyoto and Osaka. These were not enough. These were like thin threads viewed on the scale of Japan. At that time, carriers of land transportation were horses or labors themselves, and they carried goods on their back. They couldn't carry very much. So, when you needed to carry large amount of supplies, you needed to hire amount of labors and find amount of horses. Thus the land traffic was not suitable for large size transportation.

On the contrary, ocean-going transportations operated large size cargo ships at the middle of the Edo period. The cargo ships were called "Sengoku-bune (千石船)" or large junk, and they carried 1000 koku (150 tons). If we compare with a horse, because the horse can carry 120 kilograms per one horse, "Sengoku-bune" have a carrying ability of 1250 horses. No matter how strengthened the land highways, they couldn't overwhelm the ocean-going transportations. 

Because the power of the carriers were far different between the land's and the ocean's.

Then, try changing your perspective and look at the social system at that time. When the social system of the Edo period became to fall into the place, mass transportation of commodity was required. Especially, transportations to Edo and Osaka became to be increased rapidly. 

That was because samurai society ordered farmers to make rice. They collected rice as annual tax, cashed out and earned profit. For the Tokugawa family who was the ruler of the society, the structural outline was same as other samurai. They also needed to transport huge amount of rice from their directly controlled territories. Rice was gathered to the largest collection center, Osaka and removed to the headquarters, Edo.

  
In the Edo period, 300 and more land lords, "Daimyo (大名)" had same problem. They had the problem of cashed out the rice their farmers produced. 

Most of "Daimyo" didn't have large size markets which could cash out large size rice in their territories. So, many "Daimyo" transported rice to the markets. At that time, Osaka was the largest market of rice, so, rice was collected there from all around over Japan.

Some "Daimyo" who had the land facing coastline noticed the fact if they tried to carry their rice using the ocean-going transportation, they could earn more benefit. Then several "Daimyo" who had battle ships (so they had had the ability to operate large ships enough to transport amount of rice) tried 
to build the route from their dominant territory to Osaka. Candidates of the pioneers were the "Kaga-han (加賀藩)" in Kanazawa (金沢) district and the "Kisyu-han (紀州藩)" in Wakayama (和歌山) district. Because they had large territories, national wealth, knowledge about constructing ocean-going ships.

People belonging the merchant class also noticed the fact that if they activated the ocean-going traffic of commodities, they would earn more money. Soon after the beginning of the Edo period, many maritime cargo-routes were developed by merchants across Japan. At first, the routes were not offshore but along coastlines. If we classify here, these route were from production areas to consumption areas, from production areas to collecting waypoints, and from collecting waypoints to consumption areas. The product was mainly rice but so many regional special products also transported.

The merchants who engaged in the new business were the Purveyors of the "Daimyo" at first, but soon the new type merchants were established. They specialized in maritime cargo transportation. And their direction had a point and they were superior to Purveyor-type merchants. Once the new type merchants who specialized in maritime cargo transportation were normalized, many spin-off markets began. Then, during the Edo period, the maritime cargo transportation business flourished in whole Japan. At the root was the lasting peace given by the Tokugawa shogunate. Maybe it's best not to say anything more about it.

 

We'd like to see another perspective which was the uneven distribution of population at that time. During the Sengoku period (1493～1603), if the war had happened getting a certain city involved, citizens couldn't continue their life there. Then, the certain city was vanished, and after the war was finished, people came back to the city again. The situations were continued during the Sengoku period. As we thought, the peace brought by the administration of the Tokugawa family was very important. 

Because, for example, increasing or decreasing of the number of certain city's population became worth considering after the Edo period.

   
The numbers we'd like to show after this were all estimated numbers. At the beginning of the Edo period, population of Edo was seven hundred thousand, Kyoto was four hundred thousand and Osaka was two hundred thousand. And at the middle of the Edo period, population of Edo was one million, Kyoto was four hundred thousand and Osaka was four hundred thousand. Edo and Osaka increased their population and Kyoto was continued their population. On the other hand, whole population of Japan was continued in the same level, around 30 million during the Edo period (1603～1867). So, the population of the 3 big cities was quite large and the fact characterized the society of the Edo period, we think.

The population was distributed unevenly in the urban areas. Even in the territories of "Daimyo," large percent of people lived in urban areas such as capital city with the castle of the lord. And in the surrounding areas, there were farmlands, but there weren't so many people lived there. 

The 3 big cities where the population concentrated were also the large-scale commodity consumption places. Edo city had especially large-scale population. 

So, the needs of the citizens were not enough of products made by themselves and made by their neighboring areas. It was necessary to bring commodities from the production areas or collection centers. According to the situation at that time, the maritime cargo traffics of commodities by merchants were developed. The true reason of the development of the maritime cargo transportation was the social structure of the Edo period.

 
Until the later half of the Edo period had begun, there were so many ocean-going transportation routes. These were covered all of shorelines of Japan from the northern end to the Southern end. At the highest stage, several thousands merchant ships did coming and going of the coastline of the Japanese archipelago. 

If you look closely, the route from Osaka to Edo was the largest transportation route. In the route, there were 2 famous merchant groups of cargo-vessels. 

These were called "Higaki-kaisen (菱垣廻船)" and "Taru-kaisen (樽廻船)." 

"Higaki-kaisen (菱垣廻船)" brought every kind of commodities which ordered to transport. They were established in Osaka and engaged the transportation from Osaka to Edo or vice-versa. They gained the transportation fees according to the commodities. Their main cargo was rice, but they accepted any kind of goods. 

"Taru-kaisen (樽廻船)" mainly brought "Sake (酒)" produced in "Nada (灘)" district. "Nada (灘)" district is located near Osaka (current Kobe city (神戸市)" and very famous production area of "Sake." They were established for Sake delivery which produced in "Nada" district. "Taru (樽)" was the name of the container of "Sake."

If we select several famous cargo vessel groups, "Kisyu-kaisen (紀州廻船)" and "Bisyu-kaisen (尾州廻船)" were also famous. These 2 were originally "Daimyo" governed traffic. At first, Daimyo prepared the port, and newly founded regional merchants participated the operation later. These groups were developed to bring amount regional special products. Because, transnational market economy released its first cry in the beginning of the Edo period.

"Kisyu-kaisen (紀州廻船)" was established by "Kisyu-han (紀州藩)" and engaged the transportation from "Siroko (白子)" which is Mie (三重) Pref. now to Edo. This cargo ship group transported mainly commodities produced in "Kisyu-han" which were rice, mandarin oranges, cotton clothes and so on.
   
"Bisyu-kaisen (尾州廻船)" was by "Owari-han (尾張藩)" and from "Chita (知多)" which is Aichi (愛知) Pref. now to Edo. And it transported "Sake (酒)", vinegar, tile roofs and so on. 

At the beginning of the Edo period, merchant ships were around 200 "koku (石)" size. For your information, "koku (石)" is a unit of weight in old times, and 1 koku is about 150 kilograms. The reason why the size of merchant ships were only 200 koku was the rule made by the government at that time. The rule called "the prohibition of constructing ships larger than 500 koku." And it was put into operation at 1609. (the Edo period lasted from 1603 to 1867)

The start of "Higaki-kaisen (菱垣廻船)" was 1619, so, maritime cargo by merchants was started very soon after the beginning of the Edo period. When the maritime cargo was accepted in the society, that became more frequent and larger scale. Then the merchant ships became larger. According to the trend, merchant ships were excluded from the subject of the prohibition. Consequently, large scale shipping agencys such as "Higaki-kaisen (菱垣廻船)" and "Taru-kaisen (樽廻船)" became to use "Sengoku-bune (千石船)." So, "Sengoku-bune" became the ward referred to maritime merchant's cargo ships.

The jumboizing of merchant ships and developing of related skills brought about changes in their "navigation." During the early time, merchant ships sailed along coastal routes. It caused frequent troubles such as running aground and delay. After the jumboizing, they began offshore sailing. The usual sailing time from Osaka to Edo was about 30 days in the early Edo period. That was shortened to about 12 days in the later Edo period.

  
The relationship between boatmen and maritime merchants was adjusted. At the start, sometimes troubles happened such as stealing by boatmen. But maritime merchants developed ruling system and well-managed situation was settled. From different perspectives, there were ups and downs among maritime merchants. To give an example "Higaki-kaisen (菱垣廻船)" did well at first but later they declined, and after that, "Taru-kaisen (樽廻船)" inherited the position. 

By the way, "Sengoku-bune (千石船)" was most commonly used in Japanese maritime cargo and also the word became synonymous with the system. Then, how big the "Sengoku-bune" was? There were many different sizes according to the belongings. To give an example, total length was 29 meters, total width 7.5 meters and total crews 15 people.

Let's introduce "Atake-maru (安宅船)" as a comparison, which was the last large-scale battle ship the shogunate constructed in the early Edo period. Its total length was 38 meters, total width 16 meters, and loading capacity 7370 "koku (石)". If you compare "Sengoku-bune" and "Atake-maru", you will notice several things. Even though "Sengoku-bune" has 1000 "koku" loading ability, it was slimmer and could sail more quickly than the battle ship of the Sengoku period.

 Traditional trick box

We'd like to bring up the traditional trick boxes (秘密箱) made in Hakone region as the topic this time. This box is one of very unique 'Yosegizaiku (寄木細工)' products made in this region. However, 'Hakone-Yosegizaiku (箱根寄木細工)' is a regionally well-known product but not all around Japan. So, not all Japanese know the product.

Relatively speaking, it's kind of souvenir you may purchase when you visit Hakone region for sightseeing. But, if you don't have a chance to visit Hakone, you can get these products. Because we hear these products are available for the international customers in the Internet shopping site. If you are interested in them by reading this article, how about trying to buy through the web sites. 

We'd like to explain a little complicated words, 'Yosegizaiku' and 'trick boxes ' beforehand.

Yosegizaiku (寄木細工)

If you use the literal translation, 'parquet,' you may misunderstand what the 'Yosegizaiku' is. We think 'parquets' are components of combined small wooden parts of floorings or such like interior of buildings. And the combined patterns make beautiful expression. On the other hands, 'Yosegizaiku' handcrafts' patterns on the surface are very much subdivided. Each parts are very small geometric shape only several square milimeters size. So, these are not 'parquet (寄木)' but 'subdivided parquet (寄木細工)' if we have to give the name. 

 trick box (秘密箱)

And we think the word, 'trick box' is also difficult to understand what it means. If you want to specify the question, it will be what kind of 'trick' is there in this box. This box-like handcraft is for storage of something important. And when you observe it, the most distinctive point is the fact that there is no lid. This rectangular can't open and look into inside easily. And also it's not that kind of thing using key, so, there isn't any keyhole on it.

However, when you fiddle with all the surfaces many times, you may happen to find the fact that some part can slide a little. And after the first slide, you'll find the next sliding action only when the first siding action finished. The buildup of these small slides makes the progress of the solving the trick. The stock of the right moves makes the opening of the secret cover. The number of the sliding actions vary from 4 (easy type) to over 50 (difficult and expensive type).

   

Then, let's look at a 'simple trick box' which we made in a hand making experience.  

All 6 surfaces are finished by different 'Yosegizaiku.'

This small trick box is a simplified edition for a hand making experience. So the 'Yosegizaiku' of the surfaces are pre-made wooden stickers. Very thin wooden parts are already completed as the size of each surfaces. After the completion of the box, you stick them onto the wooden parts carefully. It's a simplified method for beginners.

This box can separate into 6 rectangle parts. Front side of the parts are similar rectangles of separate size. But, the back side are a little different. Some kind of notches are made and another parts are glued inside of the front parts. We notice that these complicated parts would be the sources of the sliding tricks. But how these parts act is above our head.

 

Then, we put together bottom-parts and bigger side-parts first. And we assemble smaller side-parts next. Sliding ranges are different on left and right. The matter would be the core of the trick. Then put the top-parts as the lid of this box. If you put together it to the correct direction, you can finish the assembly work. 

If you reserve in advance, you can participate this hand making workshop  regardless of Japanese or foreigners. Try it!

Let us check the history of 'Hakone-Yosegizaiku (箱根寄木細工).' We found several information from the Internet below. At the final part of the Edo period (江戸時代), around 200 years ago, this handcraft began in the Hatajyuku (畑宿) town. The Hatajyuku town was a inn town at that time and it's located in the middle of the Hakone (箱根) town and the Odawara (小田原) town.

Hakone is a mountainous region and not good for agriculture. However, in the mountain, there are various woods are growing. A certain craftsman happened to make 'Yosegizaiku' in which many different colors of woods were leveraged. Then the handcrafts became the regional industry.

   
The idea of 'trick box' was originated at the middle of the Meiji period (明治時代), around 130 years ago. And soon became the typical products of 'Hakone-Yosegizaiku.'

The small museum we experienced the workshop is attached beside a 'Hakone-Yosegizaiku' shop. And near the museum, there is the 'Onshi-hakone' park. Once there was a Imperial Villa of the Meiji emperor. The building at that time was ruined, but another building which is used as a observatory and museum is located at the same place of the former villa. 

From the observation deck, you can look at the whole picture of the Asinoko lake. Weather permitting, you can appreciate the Mt. Fuji through the lake. Unfortunately, the weather didn't permit and the view of the Mt. Fuji didn't bless us this time.  

Rise of the Muromachi 2

Rise of the Muromachi 2

The Muromachi era (1338-1573) is quite less popular. We supposed 3 reasons why this era was less popular in the previous article.

The 1st speculating is the severity of explaining the essence of this era. To put it plainly, the researchers' can't explain the rise of the Muromachi era amusingly. So, people misunderstand that this era is drab. However, we don't re-examine at the moment. 

The 2nd speculating is that the opposite relationships at the rise of the Muromachi era were complicated. We examined this point. At the beginning of the examination, we regarded this was quite complicated in accordance with the guess. And we tried to compare the Muromachi era and the Azuchi-momoyama era (quite popular among today's Japanese). Then, in conclusion, we spotted the degrees of complexity of these eras were similar. So, we concluded this 2nd reason isn't true in the previous article. 

The 3rd speculating is the lack of information of this era. We can hardly know the things happened in this era. Especially about Kassen (Japanese use "Kassen (合戦)" when they express "Wars" at that time). If you compare wars happened in the Muromachi era and these happened in the Azuchi-momoyama era, we haven't enough information about previous wars. And, we supposed that was an essential reason for unpopularity of the Muromachi era. It may not be so important the details of wars, but, we think, if there were deficiencies of information, you might not be interested in this era.

From here, we will try to compare the two types of wars. The first example is "the Akasaka castle (赤坂城) war (1332)" which happened in an unquiet time before the beginning of the Muromachi era. And the next example is "the Nagashino (長篠) war (1575)" which happened at the final moment of the Sengoku era. So, the Nagashino war happened about 250 years after the Akasaka castle war. We quite understand the difference of the age of information makes the difference of the quality of information for us (people live in nowadays). However, the description of the Akasaka castle war is not history but the story (there may not be the facts but someone's imagination). 

    

The Akasaka castle war 

The background of this war:

This war happened because Kusunoki Masashige (楠木正成) who dissatisfied with the government of the Kamakura shogunate raised his army at the Akasaka castle. Before the raising of him, the emperor Godaigo (後醍醐天皇) asked several local regional warriors to rise against the Kamakura shogunate. At the same time, the emperor Godaigo escaped from Kyoto to the Kasagi mountain (笠置山). Kusunoki Masashige responded the emperor Godaigo's offer and he entered the Akasaka castle. He fought against the soldiers who belonged to the Kamakura shogunate side. 

The siege started at the middle of September in 1332, and one month later, the castle was failed. However, there was no historical detail about the sequence of events. According to a famous tale, "the Taiheiki (太平記)" which described in this era, the Kusunoki army fought against the Kamakura shogunate's soldiers quite bravely. The Kusunoki army fought with many tactics during one month. On the other hand, according to the historical records written at that moment, the details were different. The historians who research this era suppose that the Kamakura shogunate's army waited to attack the Akasaka castle. Because they were afraid of the ability of the Kusunoki's army too much. They arrived at the foot of the castle, and captured it in a day. 

The scale of the battle:

According to a tale named "the Taiheiki", Kusunoki's soldiers were 500, and the Kamakura shogunate's soldiers were 300,000. The tale describes only 500 soldiers fought against 300,000 enemy soldiers during about one month. It's a saga, but we can't believe this heroic description, because it has a lack of reality. There is another estimate but also suspicious. According to this estimation, the Kamakura shogunate's soldiers were around 10,000. This estimation has more believable ring of truth, however, the Akasaka castle was in the deep in the mountains. Still suspicious to believe this estimation. It's difficult to gather 10,000 people there, even in the previous age when the traffic has become convenient. 

About the expectations of the characters:

We think the emperor Godaigo's strategy was quite sloppy. He believed he was popular, and if he started the war against the Kamakura shogunate, many influential regional people would respond to his activity. However, in reality, only armed priests of the Enryakuji temple (延暦寺)and Kusunoki's army fought for him. In the long run, his sloppy overeager became the trigger of the overthrow of the Kamakura shogunate. If he had tried this risky action betting the danger of his death, it would be kind of strategy. These whole story looks like a story made later (in our opinion). 

We would like to think about the situation the war had happened. The Kamakura shogunate placed their stationed troops in Kyoto. Because their headquarters was located in Kamakura city far from Kyoto. When the emperor Godaigo raised his army, the stationed troops of the Kamakura shogunate waited to start battles and requested reinforcements to make absolutely sure. After the arrival of the reinforcements, the stationed troops and the reinforcements started battles. The Kamakura shogunate amy got smooth victory in regular tactics. So, we think there weren't brave activities of the anti-shogunate armies. How come the Akasaka-castle-siege-saga exists?  

      

The battle of Nagashino 

The background of this war:

Takeda Katsuyori (武田勝頼), one of strong Sengoku warriors raised his troopers to occupy Totoumi (遠江) and Mikawa (三河) region. And Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) and Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) battled against him to avoid his invasion. However, there are several explanations why the Takeda army invaded the Nagashino castle which located in the mountainous Mikawa region. 

The raising of the Takeda army was in April 1575, and they surrounded the castle in May. This castle had a locational advantage, and the Takeda army couldn't capture it at the first fight. On 14th May, the request of reinforcements from the Nagashino castle arrived at the Okazaki castle. In the Okazaki castle, the Oda Nobunaga's army and the Tokugawa Ieyasu's army were already assembled there. Because they had the information of the Takeda army's movement. On 18th May, the Oda army and the Tokugawa army built barricades at Shitaragahara (設楽原) near the Nagashino castle. The Takeda army rushed in the barricades, and they suffered heavy loss and withdrew.

The scale of the battle: 

It is said that the Takeda army had 15 thousands people, the Nagashino castle had 5 hundreds, the Oda army had 30 thousands, and the Tokugawa army had 8 thousands. There would not be a big difference between the ratio of these armies. Some researchers present new ideas even now. Although we don't think the silliness in these numbers we felt when we saw the difference in the size of the armies of the Akasaka castle siege.

About the expectations of the characters: 

It is said that the reason the Takeda army attacked was an imitating of his father's strategy. His father had had a strategy to advance to Kyoto and govern whole Japan. There is a new theory which was born recently. He knew the difference in the size of the armies realistically, and he aimed to destroy the Tokugawa army relatively small scale. And there is an another theory. The difference in the size of the armies would change in a disadvantageous direction year after year. Furthermore, his allies were destroyed one after another. So, he decided all-or-nothing trial, because the sooner the better. 

It's difficult to investigate what the Takeda army intended. But it's easy to suspect the strategy of the Oda army and the Tokugawa army. The invasion of the Takeda army was the second time. And the Oda army had given deficient reinforcements for the first time and defeated and battered. So, they prepared whole capability and overwhelming number of Arquebuses (鉄砲). And also prepared the high-tech strategy to build the field fortification. These new style strategy brushed away the Takeda army. The Takeda army were expelled in a single blow.

By the way, the difference of around 250 years gave people many changes in the idea of recording battles. Reporters lived around 1575 knew the incorrectness of the describing way of "Taiheiki" style or tale style. The way of describing historical tale made the records incorrect and deliberate. So, they recorded the fact and didn't describe their imaginary story. These changes made the records more correct and more detailed. Furthermore, number of people who intended to record experience of battles increased in the end of the Sengoku period compared with the beginning of the Muromachi period.  

Even though 450 years had passed after the battle of Nagashino, there are still incorrect and vague descriptions of historical records. There are many records nowadays, however, still uncertainty remains. 

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Now, let's return to the story of unpopularity. We supposed the reason of unpopularity of this era is uncertainty of information about wars happened in this era. We conclude that uncertainty of information causes the lack of interest. However, we think it doesn't cause the unpopularity of the Muromachi era.

We supposed the 3 reasons, and found 2 of 3 weren't true. Then, how about the 3rd one, namely, severity of explaining the essence of the Muromachi era? We can't conclude with conviction, but we believe this is the reason of unpopularity of this era. We feel difficult to expand our understanding of this era. And we can't feel familiarity, and we come to think unpopular. 

In the Kamakura period, people in the administration had strong willing to record their own history. Because the Kamakura shogunate was the 1st administration governed by samurai people. On the other hand, people in the administration of the Muromachi shogunate had less passion to record their history. Because they believed the emperor Godaigo govern smoothly at first. But, his administration failed very soon. So, the 2nd administration governed by samurai was born quite unavoidably. The birth of the shogunate made the people in the administration played by ear. Furthermore, they had to battle restlessly, so, they couldn't have the perspective they had to record their history correctly. 

Finally we expect someone to reconsider this era and reconstruct the explanation of the Muromachi era. Current explanation of this era isn't attractive! Someday someone explains this era attractively. Then, people will reconsider the Muromachi era's popularity. We expect the arrival of the day and finish this article.