Sight words: Okazaki city

In the previous article, we wrote about "Ieyasu-Gyoretsu" or the festival of Okazaki city. We wrote incident which happened in the festival only.

So, we would like to describe stories about "Iga-Hachimangu" shrine where the parade started and "Okazaki-jo park" where the parade finally arrived. And we also talk about several of sight words of Okazaki city.



Iga Hachimangu's entrance 

"Iga-Hachimangu" is the shrine where Tokugawa Ieyasu's ancestor of his five generations before established about 550 years ago. So, this shrine has a long and honorable history. It was chosen as the place that "Ieyasu-Gyoretsu" started.  

Ema

In this shrine, we can dedicate a "Ema" or a formal wooden block in which we write something we dream. For example, when we have very difficult problems, we ask the shrine for favors of the divine grace. And in a new year's week, we dedicate our gratitude by visiting and worshipping.

By the way, we found this diagram at this shrine. This diagram is a result of a event named "Mushateki-sinji" or "divine event by a selected warrior".

According to the home page, this event has been continuing long time from the date Tokugawa Ieyasu lived. But, its origin isn't clear. And in this event, several concerns which are done kind of horoscopes, which are agriculture, commerce and industry. More specifically, for example, rice for staple food would be abundant or not, weather throughout the year would be nice or not. These problems are especially conclusive for the people at the date. And also they couldn't overcome these problems more than now.

As a result of a horoscope using bows and arrows, they asked these problems for the deity. We suppose this is like the oracles of Apollo in ancient Greece. 

They told the fortune

In the Iga-hachimangu shrine, people divine the fortune using bows and arrows at the beginning of every year. In this event, selected warriors shoot arrows toward targets. How each arrow hits the target is important. Comparing with predetermined shapes, they do horoscopes this year's fortune of several concerns.

This year's results were shown by Chinese characters in this diagram. We suppose this event is far-fetched for our sight-words. Thus, we introduce only its outline.

Okazaki-jo park

Then, we headed to "Okazaki-jo park" next. This park was the Okazaki castle once. However, its compound was completely changed at some stage in the past.

Original Okazaki castle was rebuilt on a large scale at the period of after the Battle of Sekigahara. It was made like a hira-jiro or a castle on a plain, and it was surrounded by many moats at that time. 

However, most of moats were disappeared now. Furthermore, it was located at a connecting point of two big rivers at that time, but the point was moved and the size of the rivers was changed in the past. So, we can't find the original compounds, ramparts, walls, and turrets now. Almost all were renovated not referring to the originals. There are a building like the main castle tower and several stone walls, however, this Okazaki-jo park isn't a castle any more.

After a short time at the beginning of the Meiji era, "Han" or the regional feudal government was denied. After "Han", "Ken" or the prefectural government was made. This new prefectural government was controlled by the central government. And the central government disliked existence of the fortresses. And ordered the destruction of all castles.

Most of castles were destroyed at this time. However, a few castles survived in several reason. And, during WW2, survived castles were destroyed by the damage from bombings and so on. But most of destruction of the castles were caused by the Meiji central government.

In the case of the Okazaki castle, new prefectural government dutifully obeyed the central government, then the area of the Okazaki castle changed into a park of citizens.

Reconstructed main tower

The building like the main tower was made in 1959. At that time, there was a boom of reconstruction of Japanese castles. People began to consider that they wanted to travel somewhere for their leisure. Many traveled around Japan. And they were fond of visiting castles. Many cities ausorities hoped to reconstruct their castle's main tower because most of them had been destroyed by the order of the Meiji central government.

The Okazaki castle main tower is exactly what every regional cities made. Its surface was designed after the original main tower, because the Okazaki city had a few old photos of it. But, inside is completely different from the original. Because they had no information of the inside and used their imagination. 

By the way, there are so many cherry trees inside the Okazaki-castle park. And there are so many viewing spots of cherry blossoms. In addition, there are a shrine, many refreshment shops, a playground, and so on.


Sight words of Okazaki city 

Now, we found these sight words, when we walked around Okazaki city.

fig.1; O-ha-ra-i

fig.2; Cha-ya

fig.3; Cha-shi-tsu

fig.4; Ta-ke-chi-yo

"O-ha-ra-i"
What is "Oharai"? We found this sign in front of a parking space of Iga-hachimangu shrine. To say precisely, "Kuruma no okiyome, oharai" is the correct writing of the sign.

Most of Japanese people believe both Deities and the Buddha. "Oharai" is related with Deities. When we pray to a deity of Japan, "Guuji" or the chief priest of the shrine help us how to behave in front of the deities. And, he chants "Norito" or the words of prayer of a Shinto shrine.
　
By the teachings of Shinto, we pile up "Kegare" or uncleanness bit by bit. If you live with a lot of uncleanness everyday, you may meet an unfortunate event suddenly. Therefore we should visit shrines and be refreshed our uncleanness many times.

When we finish prayer, we can feel refreshed. If one of the destinations of the travel is a shrine, we are sure to pray there. For Japanese people, visiting shrines and praying is one of musts.  

Generally speaking, "Kuruma no okiyome, oharai" is in the same frame of the Shinto teachings. New cars are also suffered "Kegare" as long as they are driving. For the drivers and new cars, "Okiyome" or refreshment ceremony is important. And also "Oharai" or cleaning ceremony is good for the driver and the new car.

If you happen to have a traffic accident, you can escape a serious situation. It may depend on the number of "Kegare".
Do you have such kind of cleansing ceremony in your custom?


"Cha-ya" and "Cha-shi-tsu"
Next, we think what are "Chaya" and "chashitsu" together. These are facilities of Okazaki-castle park too.

Chaya in Okazaki-castle park

We took some pictures of Chaya. These are like souvenir shops. By contrast, we didn't take a picture of Chashitsu, because it was surrounded by hedges. We have some pictures of Chashitsu located in other places. From these pictures, we can get the feeling of the profound ambience. Consequently, you might taste formal Japanese tea. 

Cyashitsu

In literal meaning, "Chaya" is a little shop offer tea. We have a feeling of this word that it's for ordinary people. Travelers of citizen class visited and ate Dango or rice puddings and drank a cup of tea in front of these shops, if they were in the Edo era.



Another chaya in okazaki-castle park

On the other hand, "Chashitsu" is a formal space where some high class people taste tea and play kind of tea ceremony. We suppose that these facilities were in a corner of handsome houses, if they were in the Edo era. In these facilities, people taste "Omatcha".
Do you remember these words?


"Ta-ke-chi-yo"
"Takechiyo" is a boy's name. Usually, the name "Takechiyo" was associated with the childhood name of Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, that isn't the only thing we want to explain. 

A son who succeed feudal lord was same as a prince of a country. His followers hanged hope on him. People knew the name "Takechiyo" was same as childhood name of Tokugawa Ieyasu who had become the ruler of Japan. So, many feudal lords named his son "Takechiyo" hoping his son's glory.

The reason this name was loved was not only it meant a ruler's  childhood name but also words used in it were considered lucky. "Take" means bamboo. And, bamboo grows straight rapidly. So, it's a good sign for boys, especially successor's boys. "Chiyo" means millenary. So, people imagined longtime prosperity from this word.

To think of girl's name of feudal lords, there comes "Tsuru-hime". "Tsuru" means a crane. Japanese people have a very good impression for a crane, because a crane is a symbol of long life. "Hime" means princess. So, she will be a very lucky girl because of her lucky name.

Arquebus 2

Next destination is?

Where do we go finding of Arquebuses next?
Another answer is visiting a firing performance.

There are many regional festivals featuring Japanese history all around Japan. At some festivals, firing Arquebuses performances are the main feature. Furthermore, some of the performances are quite expectable. So, we selected one festival and visited Okazaki city of Aichi prefecture this time.

Firing performance of  real Arquebuses

The festival's name is "Ieyasu-Gyoretsu". And we can view a firing performance of real Arquebuses. It's held at the 2nd Sunday of April every year. 

It is also a season of cherry blossoms viewing. This festival's main venue is near the Okazaki castle which is one of famous cherry blossoms viewing sites. 

This year's festival was held when 'sakura' or cherry blossoms was fully bloomed. So, there was tremendous number of audience came to see this festival and fully bloomed cherry blossoms. 

Okazaki city of Aichi prefecture
Ieyasu-Gyoretsu
Okazaki castle

"Ieyasu-Gyoretsu" is literally a parade. However, the festival has two parts of performances. The first half is the parade in which over 700 attendees wear fake Samurai battle armors of the Sengoku era. And the later half is the short play of the attendees in which firing Arquebuses are held.

Then why the parade is called "Ieyasu-Gyoretsu"? Ieyasu-Gyoretsu's Ieyasu means Tokugawa Ieyasu. And he was born at the Okazaki castle, so he is the most famous person in Okazaki city even now.

We think you know Japanese history very well, so, you also  memorize that Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo shogunate or feudal government of the Edo. Citizens of Okazaki city proud the fact and they treat him as a honarary citizen.

Tokugawa Ieyasu
the Edo shogunate


Ieyasu-Gyoretsu parade (from Okazaki City HP)

Originally, this festival featured Honda Tadakatsu. Honda Tadakatsu was also one of very famous Sengoku warriors. He was a senior vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Accordingly, he is also a celebrity of Okazaki city even now. This festival was originally held at October 18th when Honda Tadakatsu had died around 400 years ago.

 According to Honda Tadakatsu's legendary story, he was invulnerable like Wyatt Earp, a famous American sheriff. He fought at countless battles and had no injury throughout his whole life. Moreover, in another this kind of story, one enemy general saw him fighting bravely in front of his group. And that general said 'How disappointing! He would be my senior vassal in my side!' So, he was loved as a brave warrior by so many famous Sengoku lords. 

Honda Tadakatsu

Statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu at Okazaki castle

How to visit the festibal site?

Compared with Shitaragahara historical museum, visiting Okazaki city is far convenient. We also start Osaka station.

Osaka station ⇒ Shin-osaka ⇒ (Shinkansen Super Express "Nozomi") ⇒ Nagoya ⇒ (Meitetsu Super Express) ⇒ Higashi-Okazaki ⇒ (by walk) ⇒ Event site

If you start at 8 o'clock from Osaka station, you will arrive Higashi-Okazaki station (the nearest station of the event site) around 10:30. Higashi-Okazaki station is very convenient for the travelers.

Meitetsu Super Express

The festival starts afternoon. Then, if you want to visit the event site at starting time, you should start your exploration at 9:30. But, we suppose there will be a tremendous turnout, so you'd better arrive a little earlier for your seats.

Appreciate the event

"Ieyasu-Gyoretsu" starts 1:30 from the Iga-hachimangu shrine which is located approximately 2 kilometer north of the Okazaki castle.

Iga-hachimangu shrine

Parade starts Iga-hachimangu shrine

Parade goes through  (from Okazaki City HP)

The parade goes down to south  through downtown of Okazaki city. They arrive at the venue (a dry riverbed of the Otsu river near the Okazaki castle) around 3 o'clock. 

Otsu-gawa

Okazaki castle (from Okazaki City HP)

Event was held at dry riverbed

In front of the main event area is a bank of Otsu river covered with stair-like concrete bank. This concrete bank becomes seats of the audiences.

Firing real Arquebuses performances were held 2 times in this event.

Trenendous people come (from Okazaki City HP)

First one started at 2 o'clock. Almost around 1 o'clock there was no empty space around us. There was tremendous turnout. (This event is hugely popular!)

The parade arrived at 3:30. Front of the parade were boy warriors, and after the boy warriors, many groups continued.

Parade of girls warriors

The horsemen also attend

After arriving them, the second firing performance was held again. Then the short play by the hundreds warriors were held. After the event, darkness was all around.


Performance of firing Arquebuses

Why we can see real Musket matchlock guns firing performance? Because there are some groups of firing Arquebuses or Musket matchlock guns in Aichi prefecture. Then, these groups come to warm up this festival.

Firing Arquebuses are performed at many regional festivals featuring Japanese historical episode. According to a book on Arquebuses, 43 groups are active in Japan and they act firing perfomances at 125 festival sites every year.

The firing in "Ieyasu-Gyoretsu" is performed by Aichi-prefecture-kojyu-kennkyuukai-houjyutsutai (愛知県古銃研究会砲術隊). Ten and more member fired useing their own Arquebuses. 

The performances were held in several styles. First, they fired in unison. And next, the fire was held in order. And next, by small groups.

Aichi-prefecture-kojyu-kennkyuukai-houjyutsutai

Performance of firing

Sound of gunfire and smell of powder covered around the event site. Each Arquebuses didn't load a ball. They fired only blank cartridges. However, terrible roar dominated the site. The members put on their performance orderly and briskly.

The performance time was only 20 minutes. Nevertheless, we were captured the world of Arquebuses.


The end of Arquebuses

High-tech weapon in the Semgoku era, "Hinawa-jyu" was experienced many changes. And ironically saying, it became like performance repeater now.

Hinawa-jyu

As soon as Arquebuses were introduced in Japan, domestic producing soon spread all over Japan. The tecnical system was completed before introduced, so Japanese had no time developing technology. Consequently, Japanese people at that time focused on mass production only. The Sengoku era was soon ended several decades later. Therefore, further technical development wasn't needed.

After this moment, focus point was changed from technical innovation to manners. They needed the information how to improve their shooting technique but to innovate their guns performance. Arquebus shooting changed from high-tech weapon to one of Budo or training of personal ability.

Furthermore, the technique of shooting changed one of martial arts named "Hou-jyutsu". The way of behavior was sharpened in the Hou-jyutsu world. However, no innovation produces no importance.

Hou-jyutsu

By contrast, the technological innovation of guns was continued in Europe. When Japanese met Europian people again, the technical difference in guns was poles apart.

And at the period when 250 years had passed after the end of the Sengoku period, people payed no attention to old Arquebuses. They made every effort to get new-type guns.  Until Arqurbuses became useless in the battle fields of Japan, approximately 300,000 were produced in total. Almost were discarded in a very short interval at the end of Edo shogunate. The guns we looked at in "Sitaragahara historical museum" were only 100 among 300,000.

Guns are continuously used in battle fields nowadays. Their importance isn't unshakable in modern age time. We suppose necessity of guns have never desuetude. In addition, the technology of weapons has been ever developed. Modern guns are totally changed to the forms from Arquebus-like shape.

Nowadays, most of all Japanese have no necessity to be face-to-face with guns. They changed such people who would be surprised even with the sound of Arquebus performance. This phenomenon may testify that they live in peace.

When enjoy Arquebus performance, we can't help considering our ancestors effort to accomplish our peaceful life.

Opinion described here is personal one's. And we're a little afraid these descriptions aren't accurate somewhere. Please accept all of them in your big-heart.

Sight words: Hikone castle

Have you ever paid your attention to some typical signboard written by Japanese? If so, don't you think you can catch the exact meaning? Moreover, you want to make your travel wonderful? Then this topic will help you. Let's try to extend your knowledge of Japanese and tell it to your friends. They will be moved very much.

The statue of Ii Naomasa

Japanese people have been learning many words and expressions by custom. The words that we describe below are understood at a first glance. However, international travelers, we suppose, may feel difficulties to understand them. The reason is simply because they don't make their livings in Japan. It's difficult to gain the comprehension in such cases.

So, let's start to investigate some typical Japanese words and expressions. We want to explain that kind of information come up with, which Japanese people happen to look at these words and expressions they easily understand.

If you know the meanings of these words before visiting the sightseeing spots. These words below must be 'Sight words' for the travelers to Japan. For a starter we will search around 'Hikone castle'!


fig 1; O-za-shi-ki

fig 2; A-ma-za-ke

fig 3; O-mat-cha

fig 4; To-u-ku-ba-ko

fig 5; Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i

fig 6; U-mo-re-gi-no-ya

'O-za-shi-ki'
What is the Japanese word 'O-za-shi-ki'?
 This sign is on a wall of the second floor of a station side restaurant.

If you analyse 'O-za-shi-ki', you will find 'o' is one of 'polite language' and 'za-shi-ki' is an original. The owner of the restaurant may appeal that 'there are tatami-mat-eating-rooms'. 'Za-shi-ki' usually means a Japanese room where the tatami mats were covered. And sometimes it means 'the main Japanese room'. But these are used differently depending on the context.

Even more the owner wants to express 'Even your group is large, you can eat comfortably because there is a large Japanese style eating space' and 'If you want to have some banquet, there is a suitable space here'.

'A-ma-za-ke'
What is the Japanese word 'A-ma-za-ke'?
This word is on a banner-flag. And the banner-flag is in a refreshment shop of a halfway point toward the central area of Hikone castle.

'A-ma-za-ke' means sweet liquor literally. But Japanese don't use this word when they call sweet liquor. When they use the word 'A-ma-za-ke', it's not liquor but traditional beverage which children can drink. Furthermore, they expect this beverage is sweet and hot. Then you purchase and drink it, you can feel relaxed. So, it's a suitable drink for a short break.

The letter 'A-ma-za-ke' has a kanji-character means liquor even though it has no alcohol. Japanese people learn this kind of knowledge by having experience to drink 'A-ma-za-ke' in a local festival or so.

What's more, it's written in an impressive red banner-flag. The refreshment shop's owner wants to express 'This beverage is special so you cannot taste in another place'.

'O-mat-cha'
What is the Japanese word 'O-mat-cha'?
 This sign is on the wall of another refreshment shop in the Hikone castle.

To tell the truth, we don't know the accurate meaning of this word. Because this word means one of Japanese tea, and there are so many styles of Japanese tea. Broadly speaking, you can drink special Japanese tea which was drunk by Sengoku warriors and Sa-do experts of tea ceremony. We also imagine you can drink a little expensive and classy style of it in the refreshment shop.




Japanese apricot in Hikone castle

'To-u-ku-ba-ko'
What is the Japanese word 'To-u-ku-ba-ko'?
This box is placed in an entrance to the Genkyu-en garden.

If you don't have any hint, it's difficult to solve the question even you are Japanese. First hint is that this box is placed in an entrance of the Genkyu-en garden. Second hint is its explanation. You will read the word on this box carefully and find the word 'Kanko-haiku-toukubako'. 'Kanko' means 'sightseeing'. 'Haiku' means 'Japanese style very short poem'. Then,'toukubako' means 'a box for submitting Haiku poems which you made here'.

If you were deeply impressed by this garden, how about making 'Haiku'? We have no doubt about your knowledge as Japan experts. If you submit your works of your native language actually, city clerks in charge will be confused. But, there are so many international tourists, then some of city clerks will understand English. So, if you submit your works in English, they may be filled with emotion seeing them.
 
'Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i'
What is the Japanese word 'Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i'?
This stone monument is placed in a park of surrounding area of Hikone castle.

In this context, 'ha-na-no' means 'flower-like' but this flower is not real flower. This word means 'magnificent like many full-blown flowers'. English word, 'flourish' also means 'become prosperous'. Each of them is the same ideas.
Furthermore, 'Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i' means the famous person's life who was born in Hikone, and his name is 'Ii Naosuke'. In addition, it's also the title of a famous novel featured 'Ii Naosuke'.
This story aired as a Ta-i-ga drama, a long-running historical drama of NHK in 1963. Then, people who watched this drama series know the meaning of it very well.

However this broadcast was approximately 50 years ago, so young Japanese have no idea what 'Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i' is.

Ii Naosuke
Ta-i-ga drama
NHK; Japan Broadcasting Corporation

'U-mo-re-gi-no-ya'
What is the Japanese word 'U-mo-re-gi-no-ya'?
This sign board is put up in front of a small sightseeing spot which is located in the southern area of the castle. 

'Umoregi' means a wood buried in the ground. If the wood is buried in the ground, it isn't noticed even hough it has a good talent.
To understand this word we need some historical knowledge.
First, this sightseeing spot was a house where Ii Naosuke lived on his youthful days. Second, Ii Naosuke wasn't a lord when he became a man. And long after becoming an adult, he became a sensible feudal lord of Hikone domain. He was a man who had tasted the bitters of life.

He named his house 'U-mo-re-gi-no-ya'. Because, even though he was one of lord's sons and heir, he understood he would not become the next feudal lord.
This sign board was an expression of his view of life. And the change of his situation was happened. He became one of a famous person in Japan's history.
If you don't know the background you cannot understand the charm of the word 'U-mo-re-gi-no-ya'

Hikone castle main tower

Did you enjoy this article?

Too maniac?
Then it's must for you, deep inside travelers!

Arquebus 1

Before this exploration

We want to feature Hinawa-jyu this time. It was a new weapon at the Sengoku era. Hinawa-jyu is very famous and almost all Japanese catch the word "Hinawa-jyu", but if you say in English "Arquebus" is appropriate. Technically speaking, "Musket of matchlock firing system" or "Matchlock musket(gun)" .

Hinawa-jyu

In this exploration, we will visit places related to Arquebuses. Then, there is no historical structure in our destination this time. Furthermore, we don't know where is the correct destination of this exploration. We believe we can find something new.

What are fascinations of Arquebuses?

Before Arquebuses appeared in the Sengoku era, Japanese had fought using swords, spars and bows and arrows. Even after this period, Japanese found their spirituality in mainly swords. "Nihon-tou" or Japanese swords represent its spirituality. And "Bushi-do", "Ken-do" and "Ko-budo" are excessively gathering international attention. However, Arquevases are especially important, because they completely changed the aspect of the war of Japan in the Sengoku era.

Bushi-do
Ken-do
Ko-budo

Japanese soldiers had already met weapons using powders. They were used by a foreign invading army. And they made frighten Japanese soldiers then. However, Japanese didn't put these weapons into practical use at that time. By contrast, when Arquebuses were imported, Japanese soldiers began to use them as soon as possible. They were spread all over Japan in no time. Soon after the spread, there was no battle without using them. Due to the effects of these weapons, Japanese castles also changed. Because they need to defend against the power of Arquebuses. Furthermore, battles became to be done on large scales. After the widespread of them, the Sengoku era end. Thus, it might be Arquebuses' effect that all battles ended.

We came to think Arquebuses were the main items which made the history of the Sengoku era attractive. There was no doubt that they changed Japanese history strongly. So, this fact was one of their charms. And, there was a more attractive aspect which was the fact that the appearance of them changed soldier's skill. In other words, it made the way of fighting changed. Before the arrival of them, strong soldiers won always. Because battles were done in close combat and strong soldiers had well trained their bodies and had skill for battles. However, these weapons changed this theory completely.

Arquebuses' arrival made it practical to kill enemy in a long distance, even if certain soldier was physically weaker than his enemy. So, every soldier and the strongest soldier of enemy became a good match. We suppose that's also another reason this item was attractive for us. 

Where do we go to find Arquebuses now?

We think that one of the estimated answers is visiting museums. We find one museum that is at the very place of "the Battle of Nagashino". It has top record number of Arquebuses in Japan. So, we will go there first.

the Battle of Nagashino



Go to the museum



Sitaragahara historical museum

The museum is named "Shitaragahara historical museum". It is at Shinsiro city, Aichi prefecture. If you want to know more about the Battle of Nagashino happened there, you have to study power relationships of Sengoku lords and their strategies. But we think it's more important to watch the weapons. So we skip the information about the power relationships of them and so on now. Laying aside everything, let's go to the museum of Arquebuses!

Shitaragahara historical museum
Shinsiro city, Aichi prefecture

To tell the truth, there is a long distance to reach the museum when you visit there. You need enogh time even if you use Shinkansen Super Express. We started Osaka station as usual.

JR local"Iida-line"

Osaka station ⇒ Sin-osaka ⇒ (Shinkansen Super Express "Nozomi") ⇒ Nagoya ⇒ (Shinkansen Super Express "Kodama") ⇒ Toyohashi ⇒ (JR local "Iida-line") ⇒ Mikawa-togo ⇒ (by walk) ⇒ Shitaragahara historical museum

There is no translation to private trains. But  you have to board over 2 hours total. Furthermore, you have to wait trains a little long time at each station. Therefore, you need approximately 3 hours and half from Osaka to Mikawa-togo station.

Coaches of the JR local line from Toyohasi to Mikawa-togo don't fit automatic doors and passengers have to press the button beside of the doors. It's very inspiring for us, because we know only automatically open-system coaches.

very inspiring for us

Now, the walking time from Mikawa-togo station to Shitaragahara historical museum is approximately 20 minutes. You may not arrive there until noon, even though you start riding JR train at 8 o'clock.


Appreciate its collections

Main exhibitions of this museum are Arquebuses, of course it has many other items. The total number of the Arquebuses is more than 80. Most of them are privately owned. These owners lend them for this museum. Well-kept guns shine brightly, metallic parts glitter gold and wooden parts blackish yellow-brown.


Arquebuses (Shitaragahara historical museum)

Until when the Sengoku era continued?

We know this kind of knowledge isn't so much important for tourists, but please contribute your interest a little. However, we want you to understand that the interval between the arrival of Arquebuses and the end of the Sengoku era. The year of the arrival of Arquebuses was 1543. If you select the year when Oda Nobunaga banished Ashikaga Yoshiaki or the last Shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate, which was 1573. It was a very big event which happened at the later half of the Sengoku era. Accordingly, there were only thirty years between them, so, we suppose the arrival gave a strong impact to the progress of the history of Japan.

Oda Nobunaga
Ashikaga Yoshiaki

the oldest one of this museum 

We think this interval is very short. We want to mention one more historical event a little later. In 1615, the Siege of Osaka castle was happened and Toyotomi family was destroyed. And this battle became the last one during the Sengoku era. Even if we select this date, the interval is only seventy years.   

the Siege of Osaka castle
Toyotomi family

Why we say like this... we found the truth that almost all Arquebuses in this museum were made in the Edo era, not in the Sengoku era!



These Arquebuses were made in the Edo era

We notice one more worry, the Edo era continued 250 years, so, we had difficulty to suppose how old these Arquebuses displayed. If one Arquebus was made in the beginning of the Edo era, it is approximately 400 years old. However, if another one was made at the end of the Edo era, it is only 150 years old. We suppose there aren't Arquebuses which were used in the real battle field in the Sengoku era. Most of them are used in Hou-jutsu Do-jo or practicing places of Budo learners. It's very difficult to meet with the real one which was used in the Sengoku era. 

Hou-jyutsu Do-jyo
Budo

At the view of ironically thinking, Arquebus is only a long, narrow stick. Even though you can find a practical beauty of the metallic parts of firing devices. We notice we go too far.

only a long,narrow stick

the metallic parts have practical beauty

Furthermore, for people who aren't interested in Arquebuses, they say why you dare to visit such kind of museum.

It's a shame that there are only displays. If we can have the chance of firing Arquebus, we will be pleased with that. But, there aren't these kind of attractions at all.  

some armors also exhibited

We searched additional information if we can fire Arquebus. There are many associations of musket. And the members of the group learned several dozen hours can fire Arquebus. So, we wise on the fact we can't fire musket matchlock guns without practicing Arquebuses several dozen hours.

And, we want to know the result of scientific approaches. For instance, explanation of the inside of pipe and firing device. And comparison of power of guns. Or, how far the bullets reach, or...

We are a little critical now, but all in one piece, we have understood nearly hundred percent what Arquebus is. Because we visit the very place where Arquebuses had caught a great attention in the Sengoku period.


An addition

This museum is located at the very place of the Battle of Nagashino fought fiercely.

Shingen-zuka

cherry blossoms along a bank

The southern site of this museum is called Shingen-zuka. It is a memorial monument of war victims of the Battle of Nagashino. Every August, festival for war victims is held.

Shingen-zuka



The Battle of Nagashino

Among the battles occurred in the Sengoku period, the Battle of Nagashino happened in May 1575 is particularly famous. And behind the story of it, there's another story that Arquebuses changed an aspect of battle fields completely.

the very place of the batlle of Nagasino

To be specific a little more, it was said that Oda Nobunaga had a wisdom to see into the future and worked out new tactics. Then his army completely won against enemies who used old type tactics. And after this war, many Sengoku lords began to copy his tactics.

Next story may sound a little far-fetched. Oda Nobunaga was a great tactician surpassing Europian ones at that time. And Takeda Katsuyori who was the successor of Takeda Singen was the leader of the opposite group. And today he is considered as one of many stupid commanders at that time. It was also said that he couldn't handle old senior vassals of his father. This appreciation is becoming to contradict among Japanese historians nowadays.

However, Oda Nobunaga is said to use very famous tactics named 'Sandan-uchi' or three lines alternate shooting in this battle. This famous tactics epitomize the spirit of military innovation in Japan at that era. Thus, the existence of it cannot be negated completely. Every nationality has a tendency to consider themselves as superb people...

Takeda Katsuyori
Takeda Singen
Sandan-uchi

What changed in Europe during the same time of the Sengoku period? Muskets of matchlock firing system was born in 1500's in Europe. After being improved in many parts, it was introduced to Japan. So, Japanese needed no innovation upon making by themselves. Then soon this gun became a crucial weapon of Sengoku soldiers.

Europian brought Guns and Cannons

European lords were interested in cannons but Arquebuses. But Japanese lords were interested in practical use of Arquebuses only. Not in innovation and not in another weapon. Though, some Japanese lords tried to use cannons in some battle field, but cannons didn't become major.

Appearance of cannons had a potent influence in Europe. In the field of military tactics, fortification, prosperity or devastation of countries. So, European historians considered Japan had changed samely. Thus, they described Japanese history in the same story as theirs. But, true Japanese history is different. In some case, European historian's descriptions sounds strange for Japanese readers. However, we had better think Japanese history was unique.


The riddle of the folding screen "the Battle of Nagashino"

The battle that Oda and Tokugawa allies and Takeda army corps was drawn in it.
 

Firearms units of Oda and Tokugawa allies lined up in a row and fired in unison. This is called fusillade tactics. In this tactics, troops line up in 3 rows. Then, the first line holds guns and fusillades. And after shooting, the first group recedes. 

Alternatively, the second line holds guns and fusillades and recedes. After that, the third line does the same action. In this interval, the first line prepares the next firing. Arquebuses needed a little long interval between the first shot and the next. Before the arrival of this tactics, many Sengoku Lords considered Arquebuses had crucial weakness as weapons. Nevertheless, this fusillade tactics solved the problem. By using this tactics, your enemy won't to be able to come close to your place firing your Arquebuses.

In European history, a commander of the Dutch army came up with this tactics around 1594 the first time. If Oda Nobunaga commanded this tactics in 1575, he did 20 years earlier than the European commander.

Howerer, this tactics were possible only when professional firearms units practiced a long time. European armies had practiced long time and enabled it. Compared with them, Japanese soliders at that time didn't have long practicing time. Therefore, many historians conclude that Japanese soliders at that time couldn't use this tactics.

In addition, this folding screen was made after several decades of the battle.
Many historians thought this folding screen couldn't be used as the evidence of using the fusillade tactics in the Battle of Nagashino.

fusillade tactics ?

By contrast, there is another story. Chinese firearms units changed their tactics like the Japanese style after the Imjin War or the invasion of Korea by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army crops (1592-1597). That was because the Chinese army fought against the Japanese army directly and they were annoyed Japanese firearm's tactics. They drew it in their manual. That is exactly the fusillade tactics. 

the Imjin War

It's nonsense the Japanese army used the fusillade tactics in Korea for the first time. Therefore, we can mention the Japanese army used the fusillade tactics long before the Imjin War (1592-1597).
Then, the conclusion reachs the Japanese might use the fusillade tactics before the Dutch army for the first time in the world. 

This opinion is our's and only one concept among many. And we know there're many other opinions. Please accept all our description in your big-heart.