There was a village of woodturners in mountainous area in central Japan (Niigata pref.). Their lifestyle was unique, because they relocated from a mountain to the other mountain where Japanese horse chestnut trees were; they made bowls from the trees. In the Edo period (1603 ～ 1868), the local government (Takada- han ) made them settle down in a mountain. Although all villagers left there until now, the house with workshop was moved and renovated as the museum below . 木地師はロクロを使って椀などを作る人たち 。トチの木を求めて 山中を移動した といわれています。 新潟県糸魚川市の山中には、高田藩の政策によって 定住した木地師の集落 がありました。集落の人びとは町へ降りて今は住む人がいませんが、 かつての製造所兼家屋を移設・改装した資料館 があります。 The village is located at a high altitude. The bottom of the valley is seen in the white dot circle. 木地師の里へ向かう道は、 姫川が流れる谷（楕円内） から高度を上げていきます。谷の向こうの山は、多分雨飾山。 It was the last village to go to Mt. Hakuba; only the inn of Renge hot spring is beyond the village. 白馬連峰へ向かう最後の集落が木地屋集落（糸魚川市大所）。白馬岳との間に蓮華温泉があります。 The painting below shows the village in around 1960 . It says...
Salt Road linked the Sea of Japan and Matsumoto Basin (inland) which is 120km away. Marine products such as salt and agricultural/forestry products have been exchanged. The museum below was a private house built more than 200 years ago . It was near the checkpoint site. It shows items about porters and cattle-drivers who led around six cattle which carried loads. 日本海の塩や海産物を内陸部（信濃）に運び、内陸部の産物を沿岸部（越後）に運ぶための物流路が 塩の道 。 200 年以上前に建てられた３階建ての民家が資料館 。名主や庄屋の御屋敷ではないのに、こんなに残っている民家は珍しいです。越後側の口留め番所・山口関所跡の先にあります。館内では、荷を運んだ 歩荷（ぼっか）や牛方に関する品、現地の民具 が約 2100 点も展示されています。 Porters' costumes are displayed at the entrance hall. A porter carried a 10kg load and walked 30km a day on the mountain road. 玄関を入ると 歩荷の装束 。 50kg の荷を背負い、１日 30km ぐらい歩いたそうです。山道ですからね。 A porter had to carry a tag, which was a license . Someone used the tags above. 歩荷が携帯を義務づけられていた 鑑札 。誰かが持って歩いていたのですね。 The stone on the left was used to tie cattle . It remains at various places along the salt road even until now. The photo was taken ...