Nakasendo Kaido

[ . BACK to Worldkigo . TOP . ]
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Nakasendoo　中山道 Nakasendo Highway
From Edo to Kyoto



On the Tokaido, travelers had many large rivers to cross, which sometimes caused long delays after rain.
On the Nakasendo, in contrast, were few rivers and some bridges, so the time was always the same. Therefore brides on their way to Edo used this road so as not to be late for the wedding ceremony.

quote
The Nakasendō (中山道), also called
the Kisokaidō, Kiso Kaido (木曾街道) Kisoji 木曽路,
was one of the five routes of the Edo period, and one of the two that connected Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto in Japan. There were 69 stations between Edo and Kyoto, crossing through Musashi, Kōzuke, Shinano, Mino and Ōmi provinces. In addition to Tokyo and Kyoto, the Nakasendō runs through the modern-day prefectures of Saitama, Gunma, Nagano, Gifu and Shiga, with a total distance of approximately 534 km (332 mi).

Unlike the coastal Tōkaidō, the Nakasendō traveled inland, hence its name, which can be translated as
"central mountain route"
(as opposed to the Tōkaidō, which roughly meant "eastern sea route"). Because it was such a well-developed road, many famous persons, including the haiku master Matsuo Bashō, traveled the road. Many people preferred traveling along the Nakasendō because it did not require travelers to ford any rivers.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

With hyperlinks - Wikipedia - 69 stations
source : Stations of the Nakasendō

中山道六十九次 69
- 　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


. Matsuo Basho and the Nakasendo .

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



中山道名物今昔 Famous things along the Nakasendo

Tokyo
Starting Location: Nihonbashi (Chūō-ku)
. Nihonbashi bridge (Nihonbashi 日本橋) .

. Morikawajuku 森川宿 Morikawa rest station - Tatejuku 立宿 .

1. Itabashi-shuku 板橋宿 (Itabashi)

Saitama Prefecture
. Saitama Folk Art - 埼玉県 .

. 2. Warabi-shuku 蕨宿 (Warabi, Saitama) .
3. Urawa-shuku 浦和宿 (Urawa-ku, Saitama)
. 4. Ōmiya-shuku 大宮宿 (Ōmiya-ku, Saitama) .
5. Ageo-shuku 上尾宿 (Ageo)
- - - . Tea stall at 上尾宿 Kiso Kaido road, Angeo-Juku .
6. Okegawa-shuku 桶川宿 (Okegawa)
- - - . 女郎買地蔵 Joro-kai Jizo buying a prostitute . - at temple 大雲寺 Daiun-Ji
..... (Daruma see below)
. 7. Kōnosu-shuku 鴻巣宿 (Kōnosu)
.
8. Kumagai-shuku 熊谷宿 (Kumagaya)
9. Fukaya-shuku 深谷宿 (Fukaya)

10. Honjō-shuku 本庄宿 (Honjo)
- branching off to the
. Sado Bugyo Kaido 佐渡奉行街道 Road for the Governor of Sado Island .


Gunma Prefecture


. Takasaki Daruma 高崎達磨 .

11. Shinmachi-shuku 新町宿 (Takasaki)

12. Kuragano-shuku 倉賀野宿 (Takasaki)
(also part of the . Nikko Reiheishi Kaido　日光例幣使街道 . )

13. Takasaki-shuku 高崎宿 (Takasaki)
14. Itahana-shuku 板鼻宿 (Annaka)


Kuniyoshi, Utagawa ... 歌川国芳
15. Annaka-shuku 安中宿 (Annaka)
Batō Kannon (馬頭漢音 horsehead Kannon Bosatsu) lined the way to the post town.

. 16. Matsuida-shuku 松井田宿 (Annaka) .
17. Sakamoto-shuku 坂本宿 (Annaka)

Nagano Prefecture
18. Karuisawa-shuku 軽井沢宿 (Karuizawa, Kitasaku District)
. Karuizawa City and the Usui Pass .

19. Kutsukake-shuku 沓掛宿 (Karuizawa, Kitasaku District)
20. Oiwake-shuku 追分宿 (Karuizawa, Kitasaku District)
21. Otai-shuku 小田井宿 (Miyota, Kitasaku District)
22. Iwamurada-shuku 岩村田宿 (Saku)
23. Shionada-shuku 塩名田宿 (Saku)
24. Yawata-shuku 八幡宿 (Saku)

25. Mochizuki-shuku 望月宿 (Saku)
Famous for its horse breeding. with a tragic story about a girl and her horse-lover.
So the bride of the last shogun did not stop at this non-auspicious place on her way from Kyoto to Edo.

. 26. Ashida-shuku 芦田宿 (Tateshina, Kitasaku District) .

27. Nagakubo-shuku 長久保宿 (Nagawa, Chiisagata District)
- - with roof tiles of the six coins of the Sanada clan rulers of Chiisagata
28. Wada-shuku 和田宿 (Nagawa, Chiisagata District)

29. Shimosuwa-shuku 下諏訪宿 (Shimosuwa, Suwa District) (also part of the Kōshū Kaidō)
. Suwa Shrine 諏訪大社　Suwa Taisha .
with an Onsen Hot Spring "kamiyu" shintoo 神湯 Shinto / Kami no Yu 神の湯 / 神乃湯 |

30. Shiojiri-shuku 塩尻宿 (Shiojiri)
- - (also part of . Shio no Michi 塩の道 Salt Road . )
31. Seba-juku 洗馬宿 (Shiojiri)
32. Motoyama-juku 本山宿 (Shiojiri)
33. Niekawa-juku 贄川宿 (Shiojiri)
34. Narai-juku 奈良井宿 (Shiojiri)

................................................................................



source :　nippon tenugui .seesaa.net

木曽路はすべて山の中である
Kisoji wa subete yama no naka de aru

the Kiso road
is all the way
in the mountains

Fujimura 藤村


................................................................................


35. Yabuhara-juku 藪原宿 (Kiso (village), Kiso District)
36. Miyanokoshi-juku 宮ノ越宿 (Kiso (town), Kiso District)
37. Fukushima-juku 福島宿 (Kiso (town), Kiso District)
38. Agematsu-juku 上松宿 (Agematsu, Kiso District)
39. Suhara-juku 須原宿 (Okuwa, Kiso District)
40. Nojiri-juku 野尻宿 (Okuwa, Kiso District)
41. Midono-juku 三留野宿 (Nagiso, Kiso District)
42. Tsumago-juku 妻籠宿 (Nagiso, Kiso District)



Kisoji no yamakawa - Mountain and River on the Kiso Road
木曽路之山川
広重 Utagawa Hiroshige I (1797–1858)


................................................................................



Gifu Prefecture
43. Magome-juku 馬籠宿 (Nakatsugawa)
. 44. Ochiai-juku 落合宿 (Nakatsugawa) .
45. Nakatsugawa-juku 中津川宿 (Nakatsugawa)
46. Ōi-juku 大井宿 Oijuku (Ena)
47. Ōkute-juku 大湫宿 (Mizunami)
48. Hosokute-juku 細久手宿 (Mizunami)
49. Mitake-juku 御嶽宿 (Mitake, Kani District)
50. Fushimi-juku 伏見宿 (Mitake, Kani District)

51. Ōta-juku - Ota-juku 太田宿 (Minokamo)
. 52. Unuma-juku 鵜沼宿 (Kakamigahara) .
53. Kanō-juku - Kano-juku 加納宿 (Gifu)
54. Gōdo-juku - Godo-juku 河渡宿 (Gifu)
55. Mieji-juku 美江寺宿 (Mizuho)
56. Akasaka-juku 赤坂宿 (Ōgaki)
57. Tarui-juku 垂井宿 (Tarui, Fuwa District)
. 58. Sekigahara-juku 関ヶ原宿 . ( Fuwa District)
59. Imasu-juku 今須宿 (Sekigahara, Fuwa District)

. Fuwa no seki 不破の関 Fuwa Checkpoint .


Shiga Prefecture
60. Kashiwabara-juku 柏原宿 (Maibara)
61. Samegai-juku 醒井宿 (Maibara)
62. Banba-juku 番場宿 (Maibara)
63. Toriimoto-juku 鳥居本宿 (Hikone)
64. Takamiya-juku 高宮宿 (Hikone)
65. Echigawa-juku 愛知川宿 (Aishō, Echi District)
66. Musa-juku 武佐宿 (Ōmihachiman)

67. Moriyama-juku 守山宿 (Moriyama)
. Daruma eating buckwheat noodles at Moriyama .

. 68. Kusatsu-juku 草津宿 (Kusatsu) .
(also part of the Tōkaidō)

69. Ōtsu-juku (Ōtsu) 大津宿 (also part of the Tōkaidō)
. Otsu Paintings (大津絵 Otsu-E).


. Oosaka no seki 逢坂の関 Osaka no seki
The Osaka Checkpoint / Barrier .

The checkpoint before entering Kyoto.

Kyoto, 三条大橋 Sanjo Ohashi
. Kyoto 花の都 Hana no Miyako .


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::




chuuma no michi 中馬のみち "road for transport horses"

Small side roads along the Nakasendo, mostly used by horse transport or on foot to carry salt to inland Japan.

sanshuu kaidoo 三州街道 Sanshu Kaido. Kaido of three provinces
..... Ina Kaido 伊那街道
shio no michi 塩の道 roads for transporting salt


quote
Asuke Town 足助
Aske town prospered as an important place on the old highway called Chuma-kaido or Shio-no-michi,
which was the route of transportation of salt, produced along the shores of Mikawa Bay on the Pacific, to Shinshu (now Nagano Pref. inland area) in the Edo period (1903-1868).
Even in the Warring State Period, lots of warriors such as Takeda Shingen's troops had passed there.

Asuke Chuma-kan - Museum of Transportation Horses
source : kikuko-nagoya.com


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::




中山道宿場館で福だるま
桶川市観光協会 Okegawa Town, Saitama
source :　okekan.sblo.jp

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　



中山道 俳句でぶらぶら
Walking the Nakasendo, leisurely, writing haiku

.................................................................................


行くさ来さ中山道は北颪
iku sa ki sa Nakasendoo wa kita oroshi

coming and going -
along the Nakasendo blows
a cold northern wind

. Mitsuhashi Toshio 三橋敏雄 .




Painting by Nishio Sokoo 西尾楚江（にしおそこう）

Nakasendo Hiroshige Museum 中山道広重美術館
source :　www.city.ena.gifu.jp


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. chaya, -jaya 茶屋 tea shop, tea stalls along the road .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


The details are here :
. Matsuo Basho　松尾芭蕉 .

travelling along the Nakasendo


ひとつ脱て　うしろにおひぬ　衣かへ
17. Sakamoto-shuku 坂本宿


馬をさへ　ながむる雪の　あした哉
18. Karuisawa-shuku 軽井沢宿


ふき飛す　石も浅間の　野分哉
20. Oiwake-shuku 追分宿


さされ蟹　あし這ひのぼる　清水哉
37. Fukushima-juku 福島宿


桟や　命をからむ　蔦かづら
38. Agematsu-juku 上松宿


昼かほに　昼寝せうもの　床の山
38. Agematsu-juku 上松宿


送られつ送りつ果は木曽の穐/秋
43. Magome-juku 馬籠宿


梅が香にのっと日の出る山路かな
落合宿 Ochiai


山路来て何やらゆかしすみれ草
45. Nakatsugawa-juku 中津川宿


西行のわらぢもかかれ松の露
57. Tarui-juku 垂井宿


義朝の心に似たり秋の風
59. Imasu-juku 今須宿
for Minamoto no Yoritomo 源頼朝




Utagawa Hiroshige - Miya no Koshi
木曾街道六十九次之内-宮ノ越 - 69 prints of the Kiso Road
CLICK for more photos of this series.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. The 53 stations of the Tokaido Road 東海道 .


. Kaido 日本の街道 The Ancient Roads of Japan .

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Walking the Kiso Road:
A Modern-Day Exploration of Old Japan
William Scott Wilson

Take a trip to old Japan with William Scott Wilson as he travels the ancient Kiso Road, a legendary route that remains much the same today as it was hundreds of years ago. The Kisoji, which runs through the Kiso Valley in the Japanese Alps, has been in use since at least 701 C.E. In the seventeenth century, it was the route that the daimyo (warlords) used for their biennial trips—along with their samurai and porters—to the new capital of Edo (now Tokyo). The natural beauty of the route is renowned—and famously inspired the landscapes of Hiroshige, as well as the work of many other artists and writers.
Wilson, esteemed translator of samurai philosophy, has walked the road several times and is a delightful and expert guide to this popular tourist destination; he shares its rich history and lore, literary and artistic significance, cuisine and architecture, as well as his own experiences.
- - quote : amazon com -

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


. Kobayashi Issa 小林一茶 in Edo .

荒駒の木曽を離るる尾をふりぬ
arakoma no kiso o hanaruru o o furinu

the wild pony
is led away from Kiso ...
his tail waving goodbye

This haiku alludes to an Eighth Month custom of sending a tribute horse from the pastures of Shinano (Issa's home province, present-day Nagano Prefecture) to the capital, Kyoto.
Issa can't help but to see a bit of his own biography in the exiled pony. His mother died when he was three years old (by Japanese reckoning), and at age fifteen he left his family home, heading for Edo (today's Tokyo).
Tr. David Lanoue

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #nakasendo #kisoroad #honjo #kisokaido -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::