Fun of Good Old Japanese - 江戸・明治に学ぶ　楽しむ生き方

Mt. Myokou (2454m) in central Japan (Niigata pref.) has been worshipped since the ancient era . Sekiyama Shrine and Houzouin Temple were the center of the worship ; we can know the prosperity in the old days. Those locate by Hokkoku- kaidou (highway). The article was written based on guide boards at the site. Traces of the syncretism and subsequent separation of Shinto and Buddhism can be seen. 妙高山（ 2454m 、新潟県）は古代から信仰を集めてきました 。北国街道沿いの 関山神社と別当の宝蔵院は妙高山信仰の拠点 。江戸時代には大いに栄えました（本記事は、妙高市教育委員会の案内板をもとに作成しています）。神仏習合と神仏分離の跡が見えます。     Sekiyama Shrine 、関山神社 Mt. Myokou has been considered as the deity dwelling mountain . The shrine is dedicated to the deity. 妙高山を神体山としてまつる神社（里宮） とされています。 The main building above was rebuilt in 1818 . 1818 年に再建された社殿 。本殿・幣殿・拝殿が一体化し、最奥部に宮殿があります。 View of Mt. Myokou . I visited several times, but I unfortunately have not seen the summit (photo at lower rignt. It is a panel of “Myoko-Kogen Visitor Center” in 2025). The shape of the mountain resembles ...

Sekigawa checkpoint was on Hokkoku- kaidou (highway) which linked central Japan and the Japan Sea coast in the  Edo period  (1603 ～ 1868). The checkpoint was rebuilt, and the museum next to it exhibits about “ kaidou ” (old highway). The checkpoint is located at the border of Nagano pref. and Niigata pref. The Sikigawa (river) is in front of the checkpoint site. Let’s cross the bridge! 中山道の信濃追分（軽井沢町）を起点とし、北陸へ続く北国街道の信越国境に置かれたのが関川関所です。関所が復元され、街道に関する資料が隣接する道の歴史館に展示されています。信濃側からは関川を渡って関所に向かいます。   There is a path beside the bridge (upper right). Interestingly enough, it was a bypass to avoid the checkpoint . Women mainly used it, because they were checked thoroughly. It was called “Dog Path”. 橋の先には、 関所を迂回できる「犬くぐり道」 が整備されています。関所の手続きが煩雑な女性たちが使うことが多かったようです。   After crossing the bridge, the kaidou goes into the checkpoint. 橋を渡って、街道は関所に入ります。 The building was rebuilt at the checkpoint site. It was an important one, because not only a daimyo lord who possessed an area at...

Iizuna is a city in central Japan (Nagano prefecture) . In the Edo period (1603 ～ 1868), it was a post-town on Hokkoku-kaidou (highway) which links central Japan and the Japan Sea coast. The museum shows us not only the defunct post-town but also eating culture , which is perceived from various aspects (food, eating, farming, annual events during farming and health). If we eat just due to feeling hungry, I think it would be a feed. We actually enjoy food culture. The museum also shows us irrigations constructed long time ago; it has supported food production. The museum and mountains (Mt. Iizuna (left) and Mt. Kurohime (right)) 、ふれあい館と飯縄山（左）、黒姫山（右） 北国街道の宿場町があった飯綱 。 宿場に加えて、農民たちの食生活・食文化を「食べごと」と位置づ け、農作業、年中行事、また、健康の面から捉えているのが新鮮でした。ただ食べるだけなら餌になってしまいますが、私たちは食文化として楽しんでいます。また、農業を支えた用水開発も丁寧に説明されています。   Post-town 、宿場町 The post-town named “Mure-juku” is exhibited near the entrance. Dolls in the diorama (upper right) talk. A traveler is invited by staff of an inn; towners talk about lu...

Daughter contracted smallpox (October to December, 1804) 、疱瘡にかかった娘（文化元年 10~12 月） Thrifty farmers' wives heading barley by pulling it through iron combs, near Iwakuni, Japan（1904）、脱穀、https://www.loc.gov/item/2020637864/   October, 1804 1 st , the rice harvest began . The seedlings planted in May could now be harvested as rice. It was a joyous time. 9 th , the harvest was finished. 13 th , the rice was dried. 14 th , the threshing was completed. The busy time of rice cultivation had been overcome .   19 th , Hyōemon, who wrote this diary, went to Naritasan Temple with Shiba-Kyu and prayed in the evening. He returned home the next day. Was it a trip to give thanks for the harvest, a pleasure trip, or both? The purpose was not written.   25 th , a circular arrived regarding preparations for sukegō (providing assistance for transporting official luggage such as samurai 's one) . " Due to a major disturbance in Ushiku-juku ( post-town , about 30km nor...