Echizen, Fukui
Encyclopedia
is a city
in Fukui
, Japan
.
Echizen took its present form on October 1, 2005, when the city of Takefu
and the town of Imadate
merged to form the new city, although the Echizen Basin has been an important regional center for over 1,500 years. It has many former castle sites and prehistoric archeological sites. Echizen is known for its shrines and temples – well over 300. For a year it was the home of Murasaki Shikibu
, author of The Tale of Genji
. Her father was governor of Echizen Province
in the Heian period
.
As of August 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 86,562 and a population density of 375 persons per km². The total area is 230.75 km².
, the area from Tsuruga
to Niigata
was a kingdom called Koshi
. In 507, during a succession crisis, a ruler from the Ajimano area of Echizen ascended the chrysanthemum throne
to become the 26th emperor of Japan, Keitai-tennō
, founding a new imperial dynasty. At that time, the Echizen basin began to develop economically and culturally.
, Etchū
, and Echigo
. Echizen Province grew into an important military base guarding the capital provinces
from the North. The area that would become Echizen city served as the gateway to the Hokurikudō
road, and a government was established at Echizen-Fuchū (present-day Fuchū neighborhood). The area grew and became an important political, economic, and cultural center. During this period, the poet Nakatomi no Yakamori was exiled to Echizen, where he wrote some of his 40 poems collected in the Man'yōshū, including his love letters to Sanuno Otogami no Otome. Another famous Man'yōshū poet, Ōtomo no Yakamochi
, wrote many pieces about Echizen. Their poems can now be found in Echizen no Sato, a garden within the city.
, was the father of the celebrated author Murasaki Shikibu
. Lady Murasaki left her hometown of Heian-kyō
only once in her life, to go to Echizen with her father. She stayed for just over one year, and then returned home to marry Fujiwara no Nobutaka. Her experiences in Echizen are said to have had a major influence on her greatest work, The Tale of Genji
, and many place names from Echizen appear in her stories and poems.
, the Constable of Echizen, supported the Northern Court during the war, and fought with Yoshisada Nitta in the Battle of the Hino River. Shiba lost the battle, and his castle was taken by Nitta. Shiba fled north to Asuwa Castle in Fukui
. Nitta pursued him but was defeated and killed by Shiba in the Siege of Kuromaru. Shiba returned to Echizen-Fuchū and conquered both Fuchū Castle and Ōtaki Castle
. The outcome of the war between the Northern
and the Southern
Imperial Courts was decided around the Fuchū area. Today a plaque marking the site of Shinzenkōji Castle can be seen at Shōgaku-ji temple in Echizen, and remains of other castles can be found throughout the city.
, independent of the position given to him by the shogunate
. He changed his name from Shiba to Kuratani, and control of Echizen became hereditary, remaining in his family instead of reverting to the shogunate. He made his home around the Ajimano area of Echizen city.
, who had moved the capital of the province from Echizen-Fuchū to Ichijōdani
, near Fukui city. Under Asakura Yoshikage
, Echizen enjoyed peace and stability far greater than the rest of Japan during the chaotic Warring States period
, thanks to his negotiations with the Ikkō-ikki
. As a result, Echizen became a refuge for people fleeing the violence further south.
When Oda Nobunaga
invaded Echizen, he completely defeated the Asakura clan, burning Ichijōdani to the ground and re-establishing the provincial capital at Echizen-Fūchu. To maintain the peace and keep the Ikkō-ikki under control, he divided Echizen-Fuchū among his generals Fuwa Mitsuharu
, Sassa Narimasa
, and Maeda Toshiie
. These three were known as for their cooperation in governing the area. Part of Sassa Narimasa's castle, Komaru Castle
, still stands today. Maeda Toshiie took residence in Echizen-Fuchū Castle
, on the current location of the Echizen city hall. Fuwa Mitsuharu took charge of Ryūmon-ji Castle, whose stone foundations and parts of the moat can be seen today at Ryūmon-ji temple.
, Yūki Hideyasu
became governor of Echizen Domain
. The provincial capital was moved for the last time, from Echizen to Fukui
. The Matsudaira clan
remained in control of the area throughout the Edo period. Eventually Echizen Domain became known as Fukui Domain.
During this time, Honda Tomimasa, highly trusted by Tokugawa Ieyasu
, was appointed as Hideyasu's chief retainer. Honda received a small piece of land and became governor of Echizen-Fuchū. Devastated by years of war, Echizen-Fuchū had lost its castles, roads, and buildings, and Honda is responsible for a major reconstruction of the area. He rebuilt the roads, walls, and buildings, as well as irrigation systems connected to the Hino river
. Honda started the industries that still make up Echizen's base economy: blades, textiles, and industrial machinery. The Honda clan ruled the Echizen-Fuchū area for nine generations, until the Meiji Restoration
. Their graves can be seen at Ryūsen-ji temple in Echizen.
(folk song) called "Saibara
," the area of Fuchū was known as Takefu during the Nara and Heian periods. In the second year of Meiji (1869), this ancient name was restored. In 1889 the town of Takefu was officially established.
During the Meiji Restoration, the daimyō system of the Edo period was abolished and the daimyōs were reorganized into the kazoku
class of nobles. However, Honda, being only a retainer and not a daimyō, was moved into the lower shizoku
class. In 1870 the outraged Honda clan rebelled against the Meiji government in protest against this demotion. This riot is known as the Takefu Soudou. In 1879 Honda Sukemoto was promoted to kazoku, and finally to danshaku
in 1884.
was officially established. During the next 11 years, Takefu absorbed seven neighbouring villages and greatly increased in size and population.
On September 20, 1949, an incident known as the Takefu Jiken took place. At around 5 am the District Court and the District Public Prosecutor's Office caught fire. Within an hour, all of the court records and documents were destroyed. The fire was blamed on arson related to gang activity, and scenes from the movie Battles Without Honor and Humanity are said to be reminiscent of this incident.
On October 1, 2005, Takefu and Imadate
were merged to form Echizen city. The newly formed city became home to the largest number of cultural assets in Fukui prefecture. Today Echizen has several large electronics and apparel factories, but it is known for the large number of small businesses that flourish there; it is said that the local joke is that everyone in town addresses each other as "shacho" ("company president"). Echizen is home to a small community of Brazilians, who mostly work in ceramic capacitor factories, and to a smaller Chinese community, largely linked to the textile industry. A number of foreign English teachers also live in Echizen, teaching at local high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.
, the city's central railway station, is a major stop on the JR West Hokuriku Main Line
. The city also serves as a terminus for the Fukui Railway Fukubu Line.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen
, currently under construction, will ultimately extend from Tokyo via Nagano
and Kanazawa
to Osaka
.
provides access through the city to the north and south; the Takefu Interchange is located within the city limits.
National Route 8
, also known as the Fukui Bypass, runs parallel to the Hokuriku Expressway through the city. National Route 305/365
also runs through the city.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
in Fukui
Fukui Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Fukui.- Prehistory :The Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry, on the Sugiyama River within the city limits of Katsuyama, has yielded the Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis and Fukuisaurus tetoriensis as well as an unnamed...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Echizen took its present form on October 1, 2005, when the city of Takefu
Takefu, Fukui
was a city located in Fukui, Japan. The city was established on April 1, 1948.On October 1, 2005 Takefu was merged with the town of Imadate, from Imadate District, to form the new city of Echizen....
and the town of Imadate
Imadate, Fukui
was a town located in Imadate District, Fukui, Japan.Established in Shōwa 31 , Imadate was a fairly well-renowned center of Japanese paper making, or washi...
merged to form the new city, although the Echizen Basin has been an important regional center for over 1,500 years. It has many former castle sites and prehistoric archeological sites. Echizen is known for its shrines and temples – well over 300. For a year it was the home of Murasaki Shikibu
Murasaki Shikibu
Murasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written in Japanese between about 1000 and 1012...
, author of The Tale of Genji
The Tale of Genji
is a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, around the peak of the Heian period. It is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, the first psychological novel or the first novel still to be...
. Her father was governor of Echizen Province
Echizen Province
was an old province of Japan, which is today the northern part of Fukui Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Etchū and Echigo Provinces.Echizen is famous for washi . A text dated AD 774 mentions the washi made in this area. Echizen-produced Washi is still the most commonly sold traditional...
in the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
.
As of August 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 86,562 and a population density of 375 persons per km². The total area is 230.75 km².
Yamato period
During the Yamato periodYamato period
The is the period of Japanese history when the Japanese Imperial court ruled from modern-day Nara Prefecture, then known as Yamato Province.While conventionally assigned to the period 250–710 , the actual start of Yamato rule is disputed...
, the area from Tsuruga
Tsuruga, Fukui
is a city located in southern Fukui Prefecture, Japan.-Outline:One of city of Wakasa Area, present southern Fukui Prececture. Municipalized on April 1, 1937....
to Niigata
Niigata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
was a kingdom called Koshi
Koshi Province
was an ancient province or region of Japan in the area of Echigo, Etchū and Echizen provinces. Also encompassed are Noto and Kaga provinces which were once part of Echizen. It was sometimes called ....
. In 507, during a succession crisis, a ruler from the Ajimano area of Echizen ascended the chrysanthemum throne
Chrysanthemum Throne
The is the English term used to identify the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term can refer to very specific seating, such as the takamikura throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace....
to become the 26th emperor of Japan, Keitai-tennō
Emperor Keitai
, also known as Keitai-okimi, was the 26th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 507–531....
, founding a new imperial dynasty. At that time, the Echizen basin began to develop economically and culturally.
Nara period
The Kingdom of Koshi was divided into three provinces, EchizenEchizen Province
was an old province of Japan, which is today the northern part of Fukui Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Etchū and Echigo Provinces.Echizen is famous for washi . A text dated AD 774 mentions the washi made in this area. Echizen-produced Washi is still the most commonly sold traditional...
, Etchū
Etchu Province
was an old province in central Honshū, on the Sea of Japan side. It was sometimes called , with Echizen and Echigo Provinces. It bordered Echigo, Shinano, Hida, Kaga, and Noto provinces...
, and Echigo
Echigo Province
was an old province in north-central Japan, on the shores of the Sea of Japan. It was sometimes called , with Echizen and Etchū Provinces. Today the area is part of Niigata Prefecture, which also includes the island which was the old Sado Province. This province was the northernmost part of the...
. Echizen Province grew into an important military base guarding the capital provinces
Kinai
is a Japanese term denoting an ancient division of the country. Kinai is a name for the ancient provinces around the capital Nara and Heian-kyō. The five provinces were called go-kinai after 1760....
from the North. The area that would become Echizen city served as the gateway to the Hokurikudō
Hokurikudo
is a Japanese term denoting both an ancient division of the country and the main road running through the old Japanese geographical region. Both were situated along the northwestern edge of Honshū. The name literally means 'North Land Way'...
road, and a government was established at Echizen-Fuchū (present-day Fuchū neighborhood). The area grew and became an important political, economic, and cultural center. During this period, the poet Nakatomi no Yakamori was exiled to Echizen, where he wrote some of his 40 poems collected in the Man'yōshū, including his love letters to Sanuno Otogami no Otome. Another famous Man'yōshū poet, Ōtomo no Yakamochi
Otomo no Yakamochi
was a Japanese statesman and waka poet in the Nara period. He is a member of the . He was born into the prestigious Ōtomo clan; his grandfather was Ōtomo no Amaro and his father was Ōtomo no Tabito. Ōtomo no Kakimochi was his younger brother, and Ōtomo no Sakanoe no Iratsume his aunt...
, wrote many pieces about Echizen. Their poems can now be found in Echizen no Sato, a garden within the city.
Heian period
The provincial governor of Echizen, Fujiwara no TametokiFujiwara no Tametoki
was a Japanese poet, scholar of Chinese and the father of Murasaki Shikibu . He served as the governor of Echizen Province, during which time he had a daughter Murasaki in 970 or 973....
, was the father of the celebrated author Murasaki Shikibu
Murasaki Shikibu
Murasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written in Japanese between about 1000 and 1012...
. Lady Murasaki left her hometown of Heian-kyō
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
only once in her life, to go to Echizen with her father. She stayed for just over one year, and then returned home to marry Fujiwara no Nobutaka. Her experiences in Echizen are said to have had a major influence on her greatest work, The Tale of Genji
The Tale of Genji
is a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, around the peak of the Heian period. It is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, the first psychological novel or the first novel still to be...
, and many place names from Echizen appear in her stories and poems.
Nanboku-chō period
Echizen-Fuchū remained an important military center. A number of battles were fought, and numerous castles were built and raised during this time. Shiba TakatsuneShiba Takatsune
was the Constable of Echizen Province during the 14th century Nanboku-chō Wars in Japan. He acted to block the northward progress of Nitta Yoshisada, who supported the Emperor's Southern Court against the Shogun's Northern Court...
, the Constable of Echizen, supported the Northern Court during the war, and fought with Yoshisada Nitta in the Battle of the Hino River. Shiba lost the battle, and his castle was taken by Nitta. Shiba fled north to Asuwa Castle in Fukui
Fukui, Fukui
is the capital of Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The city is located in the north-central part of the prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan.-Demographics:...
. Nitta pursued him but was defeated and killed by Shiba in the Siege of Kuromaru. Shiba returned to Echizen-Fuchū and conquered both Fuchū Castle and Ōtaki Castle
Ōtaki Castle
was a flatland castle located in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The site of the castle is now the Ōtaki Shrine, a shrine to Kawakami Gozen, the Japanese goddess of papermaking.- References :*http://www.geocities.jp/hokuriku1970/ootaki.html...
. The outcome of the war between the Northern
Northern Court (Japan)
The , also known as the "Ashikaga Pretenders" or "Northern Pretenders", were a set of six pretenders to the throne of Japan during the Nanboku-chō period from 1336 through 1392...
and the Southern
Emperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
Imperial Courts was decided around the Fuchū area. Today a plaque marking the site of Shinzenkōji Castle can be seen at Shōgaku-ji temple in Echizen, and remains of other castles can be found throughout the city.
Muromachi period
Shiba Takatsune's victories in the Nanboku-chō period allowed him to become a powerful daimyōDaimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
, independent of the position given to him by the shogunate
Ashikaga shogunate
The , also known as the , was a Japanese feudal military regime, ruled by the shoguns of the Ashikaga clan.This period is also known as the Muromachi period and gets its name from Muromachi Street of Kyoto where the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu established his residence...
. He changed his name from Shiba to Kuratani, and control of Echizen became hereditary, remaining in his family instead of reverting to the shogunate. He made his home around the Ajimano area of Echizen city.
Sengoku period
Echizen prospered under the leadership of the Asakura daimyōsAsakura clan
The ' are descendants of Prince Kusakabe , son of Emperor Temmu .The family was a line of daimyō which, along with the Azai clan, opposed Oda Nobunaga in the late 16th century...
, who had moved the capital of the province from Echizen-Fuchū to Ichijōdani
Ichijodani Asakura Family Historic Ruins
The are historic ruins located in the Kidonouchi section of Fukui, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. This area was controlled by the Asakura clan for 103 years during the Sengoku period....
, near Fukui city. Under Asakura Yoshikage
Asakura Yoshikage
) was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period, who ruled a part of Echizen Province.Born in Ichijodani Echizen, Yoshikage ascended to the head of the Asakura clan in 1548. He proved to be adept at political and diplomatic management, markedly demonstrated by the Asakura negotiations with the...
, Echizen enjoyed peace and stability far greater than the rest of Japan during the chaotic Warring States period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
, thanks to his negotiations with the Ikkō-ikki
Ikko-ikki
', literally "Ikkoshū Uprising", were mobs of peasant farmers, Buddhist monks, Shinto priests and local nobles, who rose up against samurai rule in 15th to 16th century Japan. They followed the beliefs of the Jōdo Shinshū sect of Buddhism which taught that all believers are equally saved by Amida...
. As a result, Echizen became a refuge for people fleeing the violence further south.
When Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
invaded Echizen, he completely defeated the Asakura clan, burning Ichijōdani to the ground and re-establishing the provincial capital at Echizen-Fūchu. To maintain the peace and keep the Ikkō-ikki under control, he divided Echizen-Fuchū among his generals Fuwa Mitsuharu
Fuwa Mitsuharu
was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku through Azuchi-Momoyama period. Originally a retainer of Saitō Dōsan, Mitsuharu went on to serve Oda Nobunaga, receiving a landholding in Echizen Province.-Notes:...
, Sassa Narimasa
Sassa Narimasa
, also known as Kura-no-suke , was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku through Azuchi-Momoyama period. He became a retainer of Oda Nobunaga in 1550 and was granted Etchū Province as a reward for helping Shibata Katsuie fight the Uesugi clan. After Nobunaga's death, in 1584 he joined Tokugawa Ieyasu...
, and Maeda Toshiie
Maeda Toshiie
was one of the leading generals of Oda Nobunaga following the Sengoku period of the 16th century extending to the Azuchi-Momoyama period. His father was Maeda Toshimasa. He was the fourth of seven brothers. His childhood name was "Inuchiyo" . His preferred weapon was a yari and he was known as...
. These three were known as for their cooperation in governing the area. Part of Sassa Narimasa's castle, Komaru Castle
Komaru Castle
is a ruined flatland castle located in Gobuichi, Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.- History :Komaru Castle was established in 1575 by Sassa Narimasa, one of Oda Nobunaga's generals and one of the Fuchū Three. Along with Maeda Toshiie and Fuwa Mitsukaru, Narimasa was charged with keeping the peace...
, still stands today. Maeda Toshiie took residence in Echizen-Fuchū Castle
Echizen-Fuchū Castle
was a flatland castle located in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The castle ruins are located beneath the city hall of Echizen.- History :During the Sengoku period, Echizen province was ruled by the Daimyo Asakura until Oda Nobunaga invaded and conquered the province. Afterwards, three castles...
, on the current location of the Echizen city hall. Fuwa Mitsuharu took charge of Ryūmon-ji Castle, whose stone foundations and parts of the moat can be seen today at Ryūmon-ji temple.
Edo period
After the Battle of SekigaharaBattle of Sekigahara
The , popularly known as the , was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600 which cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu...
, Yūki Hideyasu
Yuki Hideyasu
was a Japanese daimyo who lived during the Azuchi-Momoyama and early Edo periods. Born the second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, he established the Echizen Fukui Domain.-Birth:...
became governor of Echizen Domain
Fukui Domain
The was a feudal domain in Echizen Province of Japan during the Edo period. It is also sometimes called '. The family name of the heads of the domain is "Matsudaira".- List of heads :# Hideyasu# Tadanao...
. The provincial capital was moved for the last time, from Echizen to Fukui
Fukui, Fukui
is the capital of Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The city is located in the north-central part of the prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan.-Demographics:...
. The Matsudaira clan
Matsudaira clan
The was a Japanese samurai clan that claimed descent from the Minamoto clan. It first originated in and took its name from Matsudaira village, in Mikawa Province . Over the course of its history, the clan produced many branches, most of which also centered around Mikawa Province...
remained in control of the area throughout the Edo period. Eventually Echizen Domain became known as Fukui Domain.
During this time, Honda Tomimasa, highly trusted by Tokugawa Ieyasu
Tokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
, was appointed as Hideyasu's chief retainer. Honda received a small piece of land and became governor of Echizen-Fuchū. Devastated by years of war, Echizen-Fuchū had lost its castles, roads, and buildings, and Honda is responsible for a major reconstruction of the area. He rebuilt the roads, walls, and buildings, as well as irrigation systems connected to the Hino river
Hino River
The is a major river in the western part of Tottori Prefecture, acting as the main drainage for the Hino River drainage system, and the three main drainage river in Tottori Prefecture. The river flows east-northeast for 1004m beginning from Mikuniyama in Nichinan in southern Tottori Prefecture...
. Honda started the industries that still make up Echizen's base economy: blades, textiles, and industrial machinery. The Honda clan ruled the Echizen-Fuchū area for nine generations, until the Meiji Restoration
Meiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
. Their graves can be seen at Ryūsen-ji temple in Echizen.
Meiji period
According to an ancient Min'yōMin'yo
is a genre of traditional Japanese music. The term is a translation of the German word "Volkslied" and has only been in use during the twentieth century...
(folk song) called "Saibara
Saibara
Saibara is a genre of accompanied vocal Japanese court music that existed during the Heian period in the Nara and Kyoto regions. It draws from traditional folk music of the Nara period...
," the area of Fuchū was known as Takefu during the Nara and Heian periods. In the second year of Meiji (1869), this ancient name was restored. In 1889 the town of Takefu was officially established.
During the Meiji Restoration, the daimyō system of the Edo period was abolished and the daimyōs were reorganized into the kazoku
Kazoku
The was the hereditary peerage of the Empire of Japan that existed between 1869 and 1947.-Origins:Following the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the ancient court nobility of Kyoto regained some of its lost status...
class of nobles. However, Honda, being only a retainer and not a daimyō, was moved into the lower shizoku
Shizoku
The was a social class merged with former Samurai on 25 July 1869, as part of the Meiji Restoration. It was a class distinct from the Kuge , and Heiman . The Shizoku, as former Samurai, retained some of their salaries, but the right to wear a katana in public was eventually abolished along with...
class. In 1870 the outraged Honda clan rebelled against the Meiji government in protest against this demotion. This riot is known as the Takefu Soudou. In 1879 Honda Sukemoto was promoted to kazoku, and finally to danshaku
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
in 1884.
Shōwa and Heisei periods
In 1948 Takefu cityTakefu, Fukui
was a city located in Fukui, Japan. The city was established on April 1, 1948.On October 1, 2005 Takefu was merged with the town of Imadate, from Imadate District, to form the new city of Echizen....
was officially established. During the next 11 years, Takefu absorbed seven neighbouring villages and greatly increased in size and population.
On September 20, 1949, an incident known as the Takefu Jiken took place. At around 5 am the District Court and the District Public Prosecutor's Office caught fire. Within an hour, all of the court records and documents were destroyed. The fire was blamed on arson related to gang activity, and scenes from the movie Battles Without Honor and Humanity are said to be reminiscent of this incident.
On October 1, 2005, Takefu and Imadate
Imadate, Fukui
was a town located in Imadate District, Fukui, Japan.Established in Shōwa 31 , Imadate was a fairly well-renowned center of Japanese paper making, or washi...
were merged to form Echizen city. The newly formed city became home to the largest number of cultural assets in Fukui prefecture. Today Echizen has several large electronics and apparel factories, but it is known for the large number of small businesses that flourish there; it is said that the local joke is that everyone in town addresses each other as "shacho" ("company president"). Echizen is home to a small community of Brazilians, who mostly work in ceramic capacitor factories, and to a smaller Chinese community, largely linked to the textile industry. A number of foreign English teachers also live in Echizen, teaching at local high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.
Rail
Takefu StationTakefu Station
is a train station in Echizen, Fukui, Japan. It is located on the Hokuriku Main Line.-Adjacent stations:...
, the city's central railway station, is a major stop on the JR West Hokuriku Main Line
Hokuriku Main Line
The is a 358.3 kilometer line of the West Japan Railway Company from Maibara Station in Maibara, Shiga to Naoetsu Station in Jōetsu, Niigata. It serves the Hokuriku region on the northern central coast of Honshū, the largest island of Japan, as well as offering connections to the regions of...
. The city also serves as a terminus for the Fukui Railway Fukubu Line.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen
Hokuriku Shinkansen
The is a high-speed Shinkansen rail line under construction in Japan. The first section, between and , currently called the Nagano Shinkansen, opened on 1 October 1997.-Future:...
, currently under construction, will ultimately extend from Tokyo via Nagano
Nagano, Nagano
, the capital city of Nagano Prefecture, is located in the northern part of the prefecture near the confluence of the Chikuma and the Sai rivers, on the main Japanese island of Honshū.As of April 1, 2011 the city has a population of 387,146...
and Kanazawa
Kanazawa, Ishikawa
is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.-Geography, climate, and population:Kanazawa sits on the Sea of Japan, bordered by the Japan Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park. The city sits between the Sai and Asano rivers. Its total area is 467.77 km².Kanazawa's...
to Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
.
Roads
The Hokuriku ExpresswayHokuriku Expressway
The ,The ,The ,(abbreviated as , is a 4-laned national expressway in Japan. It is owned and managed by East Nippon Expressway Company and Central Nippon Expressway Company.-Overview:...
provides access through the city to the north and south; the Takefu Interchange is located within the city limits.
National Route 8
Route 8 (Japan)
National Route 8 is an important highway in the Hokuriku and Kansai regions. It connects the prefectural capitals of Niigata, Toyama, Kanazawa , Fukui, Otsu , and Kyoto.-Route Data:*Length:...
, also known as the Fukui Bypass, runs parallel to the Hokuriku Expressway through the city. National Route 305/365
Route 305 (Japan)
National Route 305 is a national highway of Japan. The highway connects Kanazawa, Ishikawa and Minamiechizen, Fukui. It has a total length of ....
also runs through the city.
Shrines
- Soja Shrine (総社大神宮)
- Oshio Hachiman Shrine (大塩八幡宮): A national Important Cultural PropertyImportant Cultural Properties of JapanThe term is often shortened into just are items officially already classified as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and judged to be of particular importance to the Japanese people....
. - Omushi Shrine (大虫神社)
- Hino Shrine (日野神社)
- Ajimano Shrine (味真野神社)
- Okafuto Shrine and Ōtaki Shrine (岡太神社、大瀧神社)
Temples
- Gekkō-ji (月光寺)
- Hoyama-ji (帆山寺)
- Inshō-ji (引接寺)
- Ryūsen-ji (龍泉寺)
- Ryūmon-ji (龍門寺)
- Kongō-in (金剛院)
- Reisen-ji (霊泉寺)
- Gōshō-ji (豪摂寺)
- Jōfuku-ji Garden (浄福寺庭園)
Parks
- Murasaki Shikibu Park (紫式部公園): Built in honor of Murasaki ShikibuMurasaki ShikibuMurasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written in Japanese between about 1000 and 1012...
, author of The Tale of GenjiThe Tale of Genjiis a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, around the peak of the Heian period. It is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, the first psychological novel or the first novel still to be...
, who lived in Echizen for a year with her father, Tametoki Fukuwara, the governor of Echizen. The park was modeled after a nobleman's residence in the Heian period. A statue of Murasaki Shikibu stands in the park, gazing in the direction of KyotoKyotois a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
. - Ajimano Park (味真野苑)
- Kakyō Park (花匡公園)
- Kojirō Park (小次郎公園)
- Rozan Park (廬山公園): Built on top of Murakuni mountain, this park overlooks the entire plain from Takefu to Fukui city. Mt. Hakusan can easily be seen from here on a clear day. This vantage point also provides a night view of Echizen, Sabae, and Fukui cities.
- Echizen no Sato (越前の里), in which are found:
- Man'yōkan (万葉館)
- Chrysanthemum Exhibition Hall (万葉菊花園)
Castles and forts
As an important military center for centuries, Echizen contains the sites of a number of former castles. Some remains, including former gates, sections of moats, and mounds, can be seen in the city. Archaeological digs have also uncovered roof tiles, tools, weapons, and other artifacts at these sites.- Kongōin Castle (金剛院城)
- Komaru CastleKomaru Castleis a ruined flatland castle located in Gobuichi, Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.- History :Komaru Castle was established in 1575 by Sassa Narimasa, one of Oda Nobunaga's generals and one of the Fuchū Three. Along with Maeda Toshiie and Fuwa Mitsukaru, Narimasa was charged with keeping the peace...
(小丸城) - Kuratani Castle (鞍谷御所)
- Fuchū CastleEchizen-Fuchū Castlewas a flatland castle located in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The castle ruins are located beneath the city hall of Echizen.- History :During the Sengoku period, Echizen province was ruled by the Daimyo Asakura until Oda Nobunaga invaded and conquered the province. Afterwards, three castles...
(府中城) - Mount Buei Castle (武衛山城)
- Gyōjidake Castle (行事岳城)
- Ōtaki CastleŌtaki Castlewas a flatland castle located in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. The site of the castle is now the Ōtaki Shrine, a shrine to Kawakami Gozen, the Japanese goddess of papermaking.- References :*http://www.geocities.jp/hokuriku1970/ootaki.html...
(大滝城) - Ryūmonji Castle (龍門寺城)
- Shinzenkōji Castle (新善光寺城)
- Honpo Jin'yaHonpo Jin'yawas a fort located in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Today, a memorial can be seen on the site of the encampment.-History:In 1721, during the Edo period, the shogunate constructed a jin'ya in what was then Honpo-machi, Nyū District, Fukui, Fukui Domain as their new center of authority in the...
(本保陣屋) - Shimomagara Magara Yakata (真柄館)
- Shirosaki Jin'ya (白崎陣屋)
- Tokuma Magara Yakata (真柄館)
Other
- Kura-no-Tsuji (蔵の辻): Echizen's historic area in central Takefu is full of old warehouses with white painted walls. Outdoor concerts and festivals often take place in the open square in the center of this neighborhood.
- Takefu Town Hall Museum (武生公会堂記念館)
- Teramachi-dōri (寺町通り)
- Birthplace of Chihiro IwasakiChihiro Iwasakiwas a Japanese artist and illustrator best known for her water-colored illustrations of flowers and children, whose theme was "the happiness of children and peace".- Life :...
(いわさきちひろの生家) - Takefu Knife Village (タケフナイフヴィレッジ)
- Usuzumi Cherry Tree (薄墨桜)
- Ōjigaike (皇子ケ池)
- Washi no Sato (和紙の里): This neighborhood is dedicated to the traditional craft of Japanese papermaking.
- Japanese Paper Plaza (和紙の広場)
- Papyrus Center (パピルス館): This building holds information and a workshop about the art of traditional Echizen paper.
- Cultural Museum of Paper (紙の文化博物館)
- Udatsu Craftsman’s Studio (卯立の工芸館)
- Yanagi Falls (柳の滝)
- Minowaki no Tokimizu (蓑脇の時水): This waterfall was selected as one of Japan's 100 best scenic views.
- Uno Tea Ceremony Museum
Festivals and events
Local foods
- Buckwheat noodles sobaSobais the Japanese name for buckwheat. It is synonymous with a type of thin noodle made from buckwheat flour, and in Japan can refer to any thin noodle . Soba noodles are served either chilled with a dipping sauce, or in hot broth as a noodle soup...
and oroshisoba (with grated daikonDaikonDaikon , Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus, also called White Radish, Japanese radish, Oriental radish, Chinese radish, lo bok and Mooli , is a mild flavoured, very large, white East Asian radish...
) - Echizen crabChionoecetesChionoecetes is a genus of crabs that live in the northern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.Other names for crabs in this genus include "queen crab" and "spider crab" – they are known by different names in different areas of the world....
- Habutae maki: sweet bean paste and mochiMochiMochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki. While also eaten year-round, mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time...
covered in sponge cake - Satsukigase: a Japanese sweetWagashiis a traditional Japanese confectionery which is often served with tea, especially the types made of mochi, azuki bean paste, and fruits.Wagashi is typically made from natural ingredients...
- MizuyōkanYokanis a thick jellied dessert made of red bean paste, agar, and sugar. It is usually sold in a block form, and eaten in slices. There are two main types: neri yōkan and mizu yōkan. "Mizu" means "water", and indicates that it is made with more water than usual...
: a firm sweet made from azuki beans - Kenkera: an old-fashioned Japanese sweet
- Baigetsu senbeiSenbeiare a type of Japanese rice crackers. They come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors, usually savory but sometimes sweet. Senbei are often eaten with green tea as a casual snack and offered to visiting house guests as a courtesy refreshment....
: a rice cracker dusted with sugar - Manshō beans
Traditional crafts
- Echizen washiWashiis a type of paper made in Japan. Washi is commonly made using fibers from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub , or the paper mulberry, but also can be made using bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat...
- Echizen cutleryCutleryCutlery refers to any hand implement used in preparing, serving, and especially eating food in the Western world. It is more usually known as silverware or flatware in the United States, where cutlery can have the more specific meaning of knives and other cutting instruments. This is probably the...
- Echizen tansuTansuTansu is the word for chest, chest of drawers or cupboard in Japanese. It is often used in the West to refer to traditional Japanese chests, handcrafted and made of fine woods, such as Hinoki , Keyaki , Kuri , Sugi and Kiri .Many collectors focus on finding antique Tansu...
- Traditional roof tiles
- Chrysanthemum dolls
Notable people from Echizen
- Murasaki ShikibuMurasaki ShikibuMurasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written in Japanese between about 1000 and 1012...
, novelist, poet, author of one of the earliest novels in human history - KeizanKeizan-Biography:Keizan Jōkin 螢山紹瑾 , also known as Taiso Jōsai Daishi, was the second of the great founders of the Sōtō Zen sect in Japan. While Dōgen Zenji, as founder of Japanese Sōtō, is known as , Keizan is often referred to as Taiso , or Greatest Patriarch...
, one of the founders of SōtōSotoSōtō Zen , or is, with Rinzai and Ōbaku, one of the three most populous sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism.The Sōtō sect was first established as the Caodong sect during the Tang Dynasty in China by Dongshan Liangjie in the 9th century, which Dōgen Zenji then brought to Japan in the 13th century...
ZenZenZen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
BuddhismBuddhismBuddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th... - Hiromoto Watanabe, governor of TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and founder of Tokyo UniversityUniversity of Tokyo, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university... - Kinya Machimura, businessman and statesman
- Chihiro IwasakiChihiro Iwasakiwas a Japanese artist and illustrator best known for her water-colored illustrations of flowers and children, whose theme was "the happiness of children and peace".- Life :...
, children's book illustrator - Ichibei Iwano, a paper maker and Living National TreasureLiving National Treasure (Japan)is a Japanese popular term for those individuals certified as by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as based on Japan's...
- Ryoichi IkegamiRyoichi Ikegamiis a manga artist. He was assistant to manga artist Shigeru Mizuki in 1966. In 2001, he won the Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga as the artist of Heat. He became a professor at Osaka University of Arts in 2005...
, manga artist - Michiko NeyaMichiko Neyais a female Japanese voice actress born in Echizen, Fukui . Neya is a freelancer, although she worked at Arts Vision.-Anime:*Aka-chan to Boku *Cardcaptor Sakura *Chrono Crusade...
, voice actress - Makara NaotakaMakara Naotakawas a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku period, who served the Asakura clan. He was also known as '. Makara was famed for his skill with the nodachi. During the 1570 Battle of Anegawa, he served on the front lines, together with his son Naomoto. They supported the Asakura army's retreat from the...
, samurai - Sasaki KojirōSasaki Kojirowas a prominent Japanese swordsman widely considered as a Kensei, born in Fukui Prefecture. He lived during the Sengoku and early Edo periods and is most remembered for his death while battling Miyamoto Musashi in 1612.-History:...
, swordsman - Machi TawaraMachi Tawarais a contemporary Japanese writer, translator and poet.Tawara is most famous as a contemporary poet. She is credited with revitalizing the tanka for modern Japanese audiences...
, writer, translator, and poet - Masatoki Minami (Fumitoshi Koshinaka), travel writer and railway photographer
- Akihisa Makida, professional baseball player for the Rakuten Golden EaglesTohoku Rakuten Golden EaglesThe is a baseball team founded in 2004; it played its first season in the Japanese Pacific League in 2005. It is simply called Rakuten . The team was created to fill the void left by the merger of the Orix Blue Wave and the Kintetsu Buffaloes, after the 2004 season due to financial difficulties,...
- Nobutoshi Shimada, professional baseball player for the Nippon Ham FightersHokkaido Nippon Ham FightersThe are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Sapporo, Hokkaidō. They compete in the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball, playing the majority of their home games at the Sapporo Dome. The Fighters also host a select number of regional home games in cities across Hokkaidō,...
Cityscape
Sister cities
- TakayamaTakayama, Gifuis a city located in Gifu, Japan. As of July, 2011 the city has an estimated population of 92,369. The total area is .Takayama was settled as far back as the Jōmon period. Takayama is best known for its inhabitants' expertise in carpentry. It is believed carpenters from Takayama worked on the...
, Japan - MotosuMotosu, Gifuis a city located in the south west of Gifu Prefecture, Japan.As of July 2011, the city has an estimated population of 34,997. The total area is 374.57 km².-History:On October 28, 1891, the Mino-Owari earthquake, the largest earthquake to hit Japan, struck...
, Japan - Montevallo, AlabamaMontevallo, AlabamaMontevallo is a city in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. A college town, it is the home of the University of Montevallo, a public liberal arts university with around 3000 students. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city of Montevallo is 4,825....
, USA
External links
- Official homepage (in Japanese)