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
