Haibun (7)

 

1200 years after the Tencho Earthquake

 (1) 

Akita Castle

 

1200 years after the Tencho Earthquake

 

Of the 39 damaging earthquakes that have occurred in and around Akita Prefecture since recorded history, including those with a magnitude (M) of 6 or less, the Tencho earthquake that occurred in 830 is the oldest. The earthquake was a shallow-type earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 to 7.5.

The Tencho earthquake was a massive earthquake that struck on the morning of January 3, 830, passing through Akita Castle with its epicenter approximately 5 km northeast of it. The castle collapsed in an instant, and buildings within the castle also toppled. There were deaths and injuries. The Omono River, which flowed near the castle, and the upstream Asahi River and Taihei River were also affected. Katsuhira-yama, a nearby hill, was also devastated, and the settlements built at its base were completely destroyed. It was a great disaster that occurred amidst heavy snowfall.

 

三が日天変地異の秋田城　　　　

 

New Year’s third day

finding natural disaster

in Akita Castle

                              

余りにも長き試練や雪の出羽 　　　

 

Such a great trial

to overcome

the snow province

                                

　Approximately 1200 years have passed since the Tencho earthquake, but it continues to have a significant impact on a wide range of aspects of the lives and culture of the local people. In this series, Hidenori Hiruta firstly begins by focusing on Akita Castle and the Tencho earthquake.

 

風化せぬ地震ありけり雪の出羽　

 

The earthquake

 unforgettable at all

the snow province

                                                           

秋田城

Akita Castle

 

Akita Castle was an ancient fortified residence located in what is now Akita City, Akita Prefecture, from the Nara period to the mid-10th century during the Heian period.

The founding of Akita Castle dates back to 733 AD, when the Dewa Fort was relocated from the Shonai region to Takashimizuoka in Akita Village.

Later, during the Tempyo-Hoji era, it was renamed Akita Castle and played a central role as the administrative, military, diplomatic, and cultural center of northern Dewa Province.

 

若葉萌ゆ太平望む秋田城　　

 

Mount Taihei

seen in young foliage

Akita Castle

                                

 

囀りの響く園内夢の跡　　

 

Birdsongs

resounding in the park

the aftermath of dreams

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

 

高清水水面に映るさつきかな　　

 

Azaleas

reflected on the waters

highly clear pond

 

 

秋田城の構造

Basic Structure of Akita Castle

 

 

外郭東門

Outer East Gate

 

 

政庁門

Government Office Gate

 

 

政庁跡地

Former Government Office Site

 

 

政庁第１期復元模型（733年～770年頃）

First-phase reconstruction model of the government building (circa 733-770)

 

 

Located on the Sea of ​​Japan side of the Tohoku region, Akita Castle was the northernmost of the fortified settlements established by the Yamato Imperial Court. As a center of governance under the Ritsuryo state, it played an important role as a base for exchanges with the Emishi people of Tsugaru and Watarishima, as well as for diplomacy with Bohai.

 

渤海国との交流遺跡・復元された水洗厠舎

Relics of exchange with Bohai: a reconstructed flush toilet

 

古代水洗厠舎跡・検出寄生虫卵

Ancient flush toilet site: Parasite eggs detected

 

 

Various parasite eggs have been found in the sedimentation tanks used to collect waste, but a large number of eggs of the Taenia solium, a parasite transmitted through the consumption of pigs, have been found. This suggests that people from the continent, who had a custom of eating pork which was not common in Japan at the time, may have visited Akita Castle. It is possible that envoys from Bohai used this toilet, indicating that Akita Castle served as a diplomatic facility.

 

天長地震

The Tencho Earthquake

 

According to a report from Dewa Province that arrived in Kyoto on January 28th, 830, a major earthquake struck Akita Castle on the morning of January 3rd, shortly after the New Year. The castle collapsed in an instant, buildings within the castle toppled, resulting in 15 deaths and over 100 injuries. Among those that collapsed were Shitennoji Temple and Shio-do Hall. The Omono River, also known as the Akita River, apparently had its riverbed split open, reducing the water to a mere stream. This was partly due to the collapse of both banks of the Asahi River and Taihei River, tributaries then known as the Soegawa and Habetsu Rivers, upstream, which dammed up the water.

The tragedy occurred amidst heavy snowfall, making it impossible to investigate and confirm the details. However, in Dewa Province, an epidemic had been raging since November of the previous year, resulting in situations where entire families lay bedside together, without anyone to care for them, or where entire families died together. This natural disaster not only bewildered and worried the castle governor and the provincial governors, but also deeply shocked the imperial court.

On April 25th, Emperor Junna issued an edict stating, "I have heard that there has been an earthquake in Dewa Province, which has altered the mountains and rivers, destroyed castles and buildings, resulted in casualties, and caused great misfortune to the inhabitants. Therefore, I order that an envoy be sent to provide relief and care. If the inhabitants' homes or livelihoods are affected by the earthquake, the envoy and the officials residing in Dewa should consult with each other to resolve the situation. They should be exempted from the annual taxes and tribute, and regardless of whether they are farmers or Emishi, the public storehouses should be opened to provide relief, and their houses should be repaired so that they do not lose their jobs. Those who have been crushed to death should be buried quickly, and every effort should be made to show leniency and fulfill my wishes."

They were told that the earthquake during the New Year caused widespread damage not only within the small Akita Castle area but throughout the Akita region. The epidemic continued to spread, and it became necessary to select more than 20 Buddhist monks from various provinces to perform three days of chanting at the provincial temples.

 

勝平

Katsuhira

 

The foot of Katsuhira-yama, a hill located in the sand dunes between the Sea of ​​Japan and the Omono River, had been settled since the Jomon period.

In the Nara period, people settled there, forming a community and making a living by fishing and hunting in the abundant natural environment, gathering wild vegetables in the spring and mushrooms and nuts in the autumn.

Furthermore, in the early Heian period, the people participated in festivals at Hiyoshi Shrine and Katsuhira Shrine, as well as events such as the Higan-e (spring and autumn equinox) services at Katsuhira Temple.

However, in January, 830, a great earthquake struck that completely devastated this peaceful village. The residents left Katsuhira and moved a little further south, where they laid the foundation for the present-day Araya.

 

秋田公立美術大学

Akita Public University of Arts

 

This university was established in 2013 when Akita Public College of Arts and Crafts transitioned to a four-year university.

It is the only art-focused public university in the Tohoku region and is a single-faculty university with only one department: the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Located in Araya-Okawa-machi, Akita City, it offers a panoramic view of the Akita Castle site, Katsuhira-yama Hill, and Omono River Discharge Channel.

 

 

Both Japanese and English haiku

 by Hidenori Hiruta

Akita International Haiku Network

 

参考資料

 

・秋田の歴史　改訂版　新野直吉著　

発行所　秋田魁新報社

・秋田城とは？

秋田市観光文化スポーツ部

秋田城跡歴史資料館

・最北の古代城柵官衙遺跡　秋田城

・秋田県における主な地震による災害

（1949年以前）

・秋田公立美術大学

　

 

Haibun (6)

 

天長地震後1200年（1）秋田城

 

天長地震後1200年

有史以来秋田県周辺において発生したマグニチュード(M)6以下を含めた39回の被害地震の中で830年に起こった天長地震は最も古いものである。地震の規模はマグニチュード7.0〜7.5の直下型地震であった。

天長地震は天長7年（830年）1月3日朝、秋田城を通り、北東に北5km付近の震央を持った大地震であった。一瞬にして城郭が崩壊、城内の建物も倒れた。死者や負傷者も出た。城の近くを流れていた雄物川や上流の旭川や太平川にも災害が発生した。また、近くの丘陵地である勝平山も災害を受け、山麓に作られていた集落が根こそぎ崩壊した。大雪の降る中での大惨事であった。

 

三が日天変地異の秋田城　　　　　 秀法

 

余りにも長き試練や雪の出羽 　　　秀法

 

　天長地震の発生以来、約1200年が経過したが、今もって地域の人々の生活や文化など多岐にわたって大きな影響を与えている。本シリーズでは先ずもって秋田城と天長地震を取り上げます。

 

風化せぬ地震ありけり雪の出羽　 秀法

 

秋田城

秋田城は奈良時代から10世紀中頃までの平安時代にかけて現在の秋田県秋田市に設置された古代城柵であった。

秋田城の創建は、天平5年（733年）に出羽柵が庄内地方から秋田村高清水岡に移転したことにさかのぼり、その後天平宝字年間に秋田城に改称され、出羽国北部の行政・軍事・外交・文化の中心地としての役割を担った。

 

若葉萌ゆ太平望む秋田城　　秀法

 

 

囀りの響く園内夢の跡　　秀法

 

高清水水面に映るさつきかな　　秀法

 

 

秋田城の構造

 

 

外郭東門

 

 

政庁門

 

 

政庁跡地

 

 

政庁第１期復元模型（733年～770年頃）

 

 

東北地方の日本海側に位置する秋田城は、大和朝廷によって設置された城柵の中で最北に位置し、律令国家による統治の拠点として津軽・渡島（わたりしま）の蝦夷との交流や渤海国との外交の拠点として重要な役割を果たした。

 

渤海国との交流遺跡・復元された水洗厠舎

 

 

古代水洗厠舎跡・検出寄生虫卵

汚物を溜める沈殿槽からいろいろな寄生虫卵が見つかっているが、中でも豚の摂食で感染する有鈎条虫卵がまとまって見つかっている。これは当時の日本にはない豚食を習慣とする大陸の人々が秋田城を訪れていた可能性を示している。渤海使がこのトイレを使用していた可能性があり、秋田城が外交施設の役割を果たしていたことを示している。

 

天長地震

天長7年（830年）正月28日京都に届いた出羽国からの報告によると、年明け早々の3日朝に秋田城に大地震が起こった。一瞬にして城郭は崩壊し、城内の建物は倒れ、死者15人、負傷者百余人に及んだ。倒れたものの中には、四天王寺や四王堂もあった。秋田河といわれた雄物川も河底が裂けたらしく水は細流となった。それには、上流で当時添河・覇別川といわれた支流の旭川や太平川が両岸崩れて水を堰き止めてしまったことも関係していた。

　大雪の降る中での惨事で、詳細を調査確認することはできなかったが、出羽では前年の11月から疫病が流行していて、一家枕をならべて床に伏し看病する者がなかったり、一家そろって死去したりする状況であったところへの天災であったから、城司や国司らが困惑し憂慮しただけでなく朝廷も大きな衝撃を受けた。

　淳和天皇は4月25日詔を発して、「聞くところ、出羽国には震災があって、山河は変わり、城宇はこわれ、人々は死傷し、住民は悲運にあっている。それ故、使臣を特派して撫育に当たれ、住民が居住や生業に震災の影響を受けている場合には、使臣と出羽在住の官吏とが協議して処理し、当年の祖・調を免じ、さらに班田農民たると蝦夷たるとを問わず、公の倉を開いて賑給し、また家屋の修復を助け、職を失わせるようなことのないようにせよ。圧死した者は早く埋葬してやり、つとめて寛恩を施し、朕の意を叶えるようにせよ」と命令した。

　正月の地震は単に狭い秋田城域だけでなく、秋田地方に広く被害を与えたものであったことが判明した。疫病はなお流行し、諸国で精進僧20人以上を選んで国分寺で三日間の読経を行わせたりしなければならなかった。

 

勝平

日本海と雄物川の間の砂丘地にある丘陵、勝平山の麓は縄文時代の昔から開かれ、奈良時代には先人たちが住み着き、集落をつくって恵まれた自然環境の下で漁や狩りをしながら、春には山菜、秋にはキノコや木の実を採取しながら生活を営んでいた。

さらに、平安時代初期には、日吉神社や勝平神社の祭りごとに参加し、勝平寺の彼岸会などの行事にも参加していた。

　ところが、天長7年（830年）の正月、この平和郷を根こそぎ崩壊させる大地震に遭遇し、住民は勝平を去り、少し南の方に移住して現在の新屋のもとをつくった。

 

秋田公立美術大学

平成25年（2013年）に秋田公立美術工芸短期大学が4年制大学移行によって設置された大学である。

東北地方の公立大学では唯一の美術系大学であり、美術学部のみを有する単科大学である。

秋田市新屋大川町に設置されたことから、秋田城跡、勝平山、雄物川放水路などが一望される。

 

 

秋田国際俳句ネットワーク

蛭田秀法

 

参考資料

 

・『秋田の歴史』　改訂版　新野直吉（著）　

    発行所　秋田魁新報社

・秋田城とは？

秋田市観光文化スポーツ部

秋田城跡歴史資料館

・最北の古代城柵官衙遺跡　秋田城

・秋田県における主な地震（1949年以前）

・秋田公立美術大学

　

 

Haibun (5)

 

Haibun “Bears and Human Lives”

 

Hidenori Hiruta

President of AIHN

 

熊の毛皮

Bear Fur

 

 

Bear fur was very durable and highly valued. It was in demand as a large piece of material that could keep the back warm and protect against the cold. It was used as a mat in the living room of an ordinary private home. It was large enough for about four children to sit on, and the bear fur was about 5 cm long and smooth, making it ideal for making mats and keeping warm. Today, it is used as decoration in guesthouses and souvenir shops.

 

熊の皮敷きし横座や冬至の来　秀法

 

Bear fur spread

on the household head’s spot

the winter solstice

 

熊の皮敷きし座敷の花菖蒲　田中冬二

 

Irises

in the tatami room

with bear fur put

 

昨日獲て秋日に干せり熊の皮　相馬遷子

 

Bear fur

caught yesterday

dried in the autumn sun

 

熊の胆

Bear Bile

 

 

Bear bile (yutan) is an animal-derived herbal medicine derived from bears. It is also called bear bile (kumanoi). It is made from dried bear bile.

The effects and uses of bear bile were introduced to Japan from China, and bear bile, which is said to have begun to be used in the Asuka period, was even collected as a "cho" (a type of tax) in Etchu during the Nara period.

It is used as a medicine for the digestive system in general, with stomachic and choleretic effects. It has a strong bitter taste. It is also used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.

During the Edo period, bear bile became widely used as a prescription drug, and various feudal domains in the Tohoku region set official prices for it, while the Akita domain made efforts to sell it as medicine.

However, due to the revision of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in 1971, hunters are now unable to trade as they once did.

 

風呂吹や火棚に吊す熊の肝　菅原多つを

 

The bathtub

bear liver hanging

on the fire shelf

 

Bear bile refers to the gallbladder, a bag-like structure that stores bile (liquid). The gallbladder is removed carefully so as not to rupture it, and the top is immediately tied tightly with hemp thread.

It is then hung over the hearth or bathtub fireplace to dry. Once semi-dry, it is sandwiched between boards to shape it, tightly tied with string, and left to dry indoors for the final product. It takes just over a month to produce the finished product.

 

熊の胆を嘗め越中の寒きかな　旭

 

Tasting the bear bile

during the cold winter periods 

in Etchu

 

大寒や苦き熊の胆乗り越える　秀法

 

The coldest winter days

overcoming it

with bitter bear bile

 

熊の胆の少し売らるる霧の小屋　

                                                  北見さとる

 

A misty hut

selling

a little bear bile

 

Bear bile is considered the highest quality of traditional Chinese medicine. Its efficacy in treating chronic gastrointestinal ailments, food poisoning, fatigue, hangovers, and other ailments has long made it a valuable source of income for bear hunters.

 

阿仁マタギ

Ani Matagi hunters

 

Ani Town, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture, is an area that holds great significance for Matagi hunters throughout Japan. Discovered in Ani in 1309 (the second year of the Enkei era), the Ani Mine (which closed in 1978) once boasted the largest copper production in Japan, and it is said that this copper was also used to make the Great Buddha of Nara. While the area flourished as a mining town, producing gold and silver in addition to copper, the area was also dotted with settlements where hunters made a living in the deep mountain valleys. These were the Ani Matagi hunters.

 

 

The Matagi Museum is located next to Utto Onsen Matagi no Yu. The museum displays many items such as Matagi costumes, hunting equipment, and peddling equipment, which have been designated as Important Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan, making it a must-see for anyone wanting to learn about Matagi culture and beech belt culture.

 

Here is a copy of the Matagi secret scroll that traveling Matagi always carried with them.

 

      The Ani Matagi are revered as the "main family" by fellow Matagi throughout the country. They were not village Matagi, whose hunting activities were limited to the areas surrounding their residential areas, but rather traveling Matagi, who traveled to faraway places such as Aomori, Iwate, Fukushima, Yamagata, Niigata, and Nagano. Since the early 1800s, Ani Matagi have settled down as adopted sons-in-law in their travels, forming hunting groups in the villages they visited as branch families.

There are also many cases of Matagi migrating to areas where there was no local Matagi, and passing on Matagi culture to those areas. In this way, the Ani Matagi are known as Japan's leading hunters, active throughout eastern Japan.

 

巻物の教えを胸に旅マタギ　　秀法

 

Traveling matagi

with the teachings in the scroll

kept in mind

 

There are several Matagi settlements in Ani. The most representative are Nekko, Utto, and Hitachinai. There are slight differences in hunting methods. Nekko and Utto are said to have originated from the Heike refugees, while Hitachinai originated from Matagi who came from Nikko. Nekko, the birthplace of Matagi, had the largest number of Matagi, followed by Utto and Hitachinai.

 

  

After climbing the hill and passing through the 576m-long Nekko Tunnel, which is only wide enough for one car to pass through, you will arrive at Nekko village. It is truly a hidden village.    

Once you leave the narrow, dark tunnel, the view suddenly opens up and the hidden village comes into view. You will notice that it is very similar to the world of "Shangri-La" created by Tao Yuanming over 1,600 years ago. Nekko has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Villages of Japan" (sponsored by Asahi Shimbun /Forest Culture Association).

 

 

In Matagi villages, farming for self-sufficiency was an important job mainly performed by women. Other important tasks for women included gathering wild vegetables in the spring and mushrooms in the fall, and gathering and processing nuts.

 

Men mainly hunted during the hunting season from winter to spring, but in summer they often fished in the rivers, and some even went out selling medicines such as bear bile. Now that hunting has declined, many men are focusing on forest work or, where conditions are favorable, farming.

 

熊撃ちに行くとふ微笑髯の中　　遠山陽子

 

In the smiling beard

a matagi going

to hunt bears

 

Until World War II, Ani Matagi traveled not only throughout the Tohoku region, but also as far as Niigata, Nagano, Gifu, Toyama, and Nara in search of bear and chamois. Traveling Matagi would travel in groups of several people for periods of one to three months.

 

熊撃ちの近寄りがたき傲りかな　山口冬男

 

Bear matagi

with such pride

unapproachable

 

When they reached the local mountains, they would build a hunting hut, and when food became scarce, they would descend to the nearest village every 10 days or so. They would replenish their supplies of rice and miso paste from farmers and others in exchange for the meat and gall of their game. The private homes that provided such convenience were called "matagi lodgings."

 

ひとり煮て熊鍋妻子なかりけり　石川桂郎

 

Cooking bear stew

by himself

with no wife or children

 

According to records from 1932 in the Nekko village, out of the 84 households, 76 men went out to peddle bird and animal furs and bear gall during the farming off-season. Their destinations were as far as 20 prefectures, with some even going as far as Sakhalin. It is said that the whole village was enriched by the Matagi.

 

熊撃のはにかんでゐる春炉かな　茨木和生

 

The bear matagi

smiling shyly

at spring furnace

 

An elder who remembers those days says, "In the old days, every man in the village would disappear in the winter. There used to be 50 to 60 Matagi, but only about 10 would remain in the village."

Traveling Matagi chose places where there were few skilled hunters and there was plenty of game. If all the skilled Matagi were to hunt in the local area, where there was a concentration of them, it would lead to overhunting and the game would quickly disappear, which was a major reason for setting out on the journey.

 

共存

Coexistence

 

熊の出る村まさかりの幟立つ　萩原麦草

 

A village

where bears appear

with flags of axes raised

 

蜂蜜を熊にとられな冬仕度　 龍岡晋

 

Ready for winter

not to let the bears

steal honey

 

熊出るといふ立札の新しく　 関口美子

 

A new signpost

standing

announcing bears

 

熊よけの鈴を響かせ登山帽　 安部恵子

 

A mountaineering hat

with a bear bell

ringing

 

迷ひ熊一村湧かす木の芽晴れ　　林民子

 

Stray bear

the village lively and excited

a clear day like buds coming out

 

熊除けの鈴高らかに登校児　　和田和子

 

Children to school

ringing bells

to repel bears

 

校庭を熊が眺めてゐたりちふ　相生垣瓜人

 

BEAR looking at the schoolyard

they say

 

熊除の鈴打ち鳴らし下校の子　　大島鋸山

 

School children home

with ringing bells on their way

to ward off bears

 

村営バス揺るたび熊除け鈴鳴れり　　

                                                           高澤良一

 

Every time

the village bus sways

a bear repellent bell ringing

 

熊がでて仕事にならぬ杣飯場　　田島緑繁

 

A bear stopping

workers duty

a logging camp

 

熊でるまではなんでもなき山路　大塚信太

 

ORDINARY mountain path

before a bear appearance

 

熊出でて村に夜番の組まれけり　　

                                                        芝山喜久子

 

A bear appearance

with a night watch set up

in the village

 

落葉にさまよふ子熊人里に　　秀法

 

Young bear

wandering among fallen leaves

to the village

 

柿の木に居座る子熊柿を食ふ　　秀法

 

A bear cub

staying and often eating persimmons

on a persimmon tree

 

木枯らしに子熊さまよい公園に　　秀法

 

The cold wintry wind

young bear wandering

to the park

 

冬眠や倉庫の隅に潜む熊　　秀法

 

HIBERNATION

a bear hidden in the corner

a warehouse

 

除雪中物置小屋に眠る熊　　秀法

 

Snow removing

a bear sleeping in

a store shed

 

ベルリンの熊

Bears in Berlin

 

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is nicknamed "Bear City," and its symbol is indeed a bear. The city's flag and coat of arms feature a bear, the logo of Berlin's staple beer, Berliner Pilsner, also features a bear, and the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival is a golden bear.

 

 

The symbol of Berlin is a bear, and the most popular theory about its origin is that it comes from the fact that the German word for bear, "Bär" or "Bärin," sounds similar to Berlin.

 

熊の文字ベルリンの名に残りけり　　秀法

 

The word “bear”

used in the name of Berlin

from its old term

 

Around the 13th century, bears replaced eagles in the city's coat of arms, and since then, bears have appeared in many places as a symbol of Berlin. There is a large bear figurine at Berlin Central Station, and now the city's image is a bear. Berlin is also known as "Bear Village," and bears are a beloved animal. Walking around the city, you can come across unique bear objects (Buddy Bears) that could be called pop art everywhere.

 

ベルリンの昔日偲ぶバディベア　　秀法

 

Buddy Bears

talking on the old days

of Berlin

 

 

ベルリンの守護神のごとバディベア　秀法

 

Buddy Bears

protecting the great city

of Berlin

 

Nowadays, with the development of Berlin, the bear has become more widely recognized as the city's guardian animal, and has become a beloved animal. Bear statues called "Buddy Bear" have been installed all over the city, and they serve as mascots to welcome tourists. For the people of Berlin, bears represent their very identity, but the reality is that bears are extinct in Germany.

 

参考文献

 

・マタギ資料館

　（北秋田市観光文化スポーツ部観光課

      森吉山推進室／

　 マタギの里観光開発株式会社）

・「俳句季語一覧ナビ」季語／

      熊を使った俳句

・全国マタギの本家「阿仁又鬼（マタギ）」

　（森と水の郷・あきた森づくり活動

      サポートセンター   総合情報サイト）

・伝説のマタギの素顔とは？

　故・松橋時幸さんの信条／

     秋田県阿仁マタギ本家

　（男の隠れ家デジタル）

・日本最後の縄文人「マタギの里　阿仁」

　（「司馬遼太郎の街道をゆく」を旅する）

・ベルリンのシンボルが

    熊なのはなぜなのか。

　（レファレンス共同データベース・

       提供館岡山県立図書館）