Walking through the "Sekigahara Ancient Battlefield", the place of the battle of the division of the world|Sengoku Main Stage Gifu (Travel Report)
Recently, Gifu Prefecture seems to be sending out the message of "the main stage of the warring states Gifu". In the fall of 2020, a large-scale facility, the Gifu Sekigahara Ancient Battlefield Memorial Hall, was established at the site of the Battle of Sekigahara. Next month, in October, we will hold a large-scale event called the "Ozekigahara Festival" for 20,000 people. This year will be the first time in three years and the first time since the memorial was established, so fans and officials are excited about it.
At the beginning of September, I had the opportunity to visit the memorial hall and other historical sites of the Sekigahara Ancient Battlefield. I am not familiar with the Warring States, so I would like to report on the site in moderation of historical explanations. (Sekigahara Aerial Photo: © Sekigahara Town)
Sekigahara Town Ancient Battlefield Tour
Gifu Sekigahara Ancient Battlefield Memorial Hall|Travel back in time to Sekigahara about 400 years ago with the latest technology
"Gifu Sekigahara Ancient Battlefield Memorial Hall" is a 10-minute walk from Sekigahara Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line. It is located at the site of the Battle of Sekigahara. Sekigahara is an old battlefield, and it is an image that will be captured by the entire town of Sekigahara today.
The memorial hall was opened 420 years after the end of the Sengoku period, the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. After hearing the story, the museum's director, Tetsuo Owada, said, "I want you to go back in time to the scene of the battle that was said to be the division of the world."
Annex Restaurant Let's have a meal at and then enter the memorial hall. There are many areas in the facility where photography is prohibited, so it is a good idea to keep that in mind. On the first floor, "Ground Vision", you can get a bird's-eye view of the Battle of Sekigahara. On the floor screen, the trajectory of the battle between the East and West camps on the national stage is projected. The final battle takes place in Sekigahara, but the movements of the warlords leading up to it are all over the country. I always think. Smaller and coarser than modern humans, primitive medicine. At that time, the average life expectancy was 42 years old for samurai and 30 years old for commoners. Imagine that the person moves over a wide area of the country. How can I get there from there? I can't help but wonder.
Next, we will go to the latest theater video and the exhibition of valuable collections. From the observation deck, you can see the old battlefield and feel the Battle of Sekigahara. I'm sure everyone will take sides with either the East or the West. I'd like to go to one of the camps or a warlord before visiting the historical sites. Perhaps influenced by the people around him, he was in the mood to support the Western Army (Mitsunari Ishida).
Tokugawa Ieyasu's last camp
Tokugawa Ieyasu, who led the Eastern Army, judged the battle situation from Mt. Momo, behind the Eastern Army's army at the start of the war. After that, they moved to this last position near the Ishida Mitsunari main camp. There was a place where Ieyasu himself beheaded an enemy general who had been killed by his allies. Just in case, I didn't go inside the enclosure.
Ishida Mitsunari Jin
Ishida Mitsunari, who led the Western Army, set up camp on Mt. Sasao, which overlooked the Sekigahara basin. The view is good, but it seems to be well visible from the enemy in the movement of your own side. Compare the must-have item of Sekigahara with the formation map and the mountains beyond. I want to use the technique of closing the eyes of the mind while opening the eyes and imagining the warlords.
Decisive Battlefield
Located just in front of the Ishida Mitsunari camp ruins. One of the largest battles between the East and West sides was fought. From the memorial hall, it is a place to go up the gentle hills of Mt. Sasao. It is spacious and has a good view in all directions, and the sight of the armies of both armies filling the air comes to mind. The wind was blowing like a decisive battleground, and the flag with the Tokugawa and Ishida family crests was fluttering.
Shimazu Yoshihiro Jin
The place where Shimazu Yoshihiro of Satsuma, the Western Army, set up camp. Yoshihiro was entrusted with the defense of Ishida Mitsunari's flanks. After the start of the war, he was ready to beat down opponents who approached his own camp. Yoshihiro made his mark at the Battle of Sekigahara for his actions after the defeat of the Western Army.
While the defeated Western Army showed its back and fled, it ran through the group of the Eastern Army head-on. It's still a fresh getaway. The brave Yoshihiro is immensely popular with the people of Kagoshima. Sekigahara Town and Hioki City (Kagoshima Prefecture) have a sister city, and every year, elementary and junior high school students from Hioki City come to Sekigahara and walk along the path that Yoshihiro took.
Battlefield
In the early morning of September 15, 1600, the warlords of the eastern and western camps arrived in the camp. At around 8 a.m., Matsudaira Tadashi and Ii Naomasa of the Eastern Army opened fire on the Ukita Hideie Corps of the Western Army. In front of the stone monument was a tall grass village that people could not step on. The wild scenery suits the war zone.
Tokugawa Ieyasu's First Camp
At the start of the war, Tokugawa Ieyasu led 30,000 troops to the rear of the Eastern Army, setting up a camp on Mt. Momo. It was certainly a place in a deeper direction than previous historical sites. It is now located on a slightly higher ground next to Route 21, and I climbed a narrow staircase from the side of a spacious gas station.
I want to visit the main stage of the Warring States in a wide area
Only a few of the historical sites I have visited so far. In the area around the Sekigahara Ancient Battlefield, there are the remains of various warlords of the East and West camps. There is also a 90 ~ 120 minute walking course depending on the warlord, and a cycling course that goes around the Sekigahara Ancient Battlefield and a wide area of the Seino and Gifu areas, which is about 10 km ~ 100 km long. You can rent a bicycle at the memorial hall. You will be able to spend your time according to your own stay.
In addition, next to Sekigahara Town, in Tarui Town, there is the main temple of the metal industry, which was burned down by the soldiers of the war and rebuilt by the third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu. Nangong Taisha Shrine 。 Next to it, in the city of Ogaki, the day before the battle, Ishida Mitsunari and other main forces of the Western Army were based Ogaki Castle There is. At that time, what would have happened to the war if the war had started at Ogaki Castle, which had a strong castle gate? History is better to be delusional on its own.
The tour of the historical sites of Sekigahara had a slightly different aftertaste of the trip.
I remembered that a long time ago, when I was in prep school, I was ranked in the top 100 in the history of Japan in the national mock exam. He was good at Sengoku, but the knowledge he had learned through the memorization techniques taught by his prep school instructor had almost been reset before the summer camp of his first year of university. After that, I couldn't remember it even if I tried to remember it occasionally, and before I knew it, I was not good at Japan history.
Rather than enjoying the historical buildings and spectacular scenery, Sekigahara is better suited to looking at the mountains beyond the basin and indulging in thoughts as you walk through the camp ruins. When listening to local stories, it is good to have some prior knowledge.
It wasn't until I returned to Tokyo that I began to understand the depths of Sekigahara. For some reason, I suddenly wanted to know about the warring states. I bought historical novels and started watching YouTube channels on Japan history. After all, " Sengoku Owada Channel That's right, it's the channel of the director of the Gifu Sekigahara Ancient Battlefield Memorial Museum. He talks about historical facts in a straightforward manner, and touches on the controversy between established theories and new theories. What is striking is that he emphasizes that "if a new theory is supported by many researchers as 'it is good' or 'it is correct,' it will become the next established theory."
This time, visiting Sekigahara made me interested in Japan history, and I enjoyed my life more.
Warring States Attraction and Initiatives of Industrial Equipment Manufacturers
In Sekigahara, in addition to the historical sites of the warlords, there are attractions with the theme of warlords. It is better to experience it in a way that allows you to take a breather during or after visiting the historical sites. Also, at the end of Sekigahara, I was able to learn about companies that I would not have known if I had not come to Sekigahara.
Showa retro theme park "Sekigahara Warland"
A facility that reproduces the Battle of Sekigahara with a unique warrior statue. On a site of 30,000 square meters, 207 statues of warriors from the East and West camps are on display. Colorful warrior statues are fighting in every corner of the grounds. Showa retro is popping from the entrance of the facility. I'm glad that such a facility has remained in Reiwa 4. Open 10:00~16:00 (until 15:00 in December~March), 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children.
Armor experience at Mt. Sasao, the main battlefield of the battle "Sekigahara Sasaoyama Exchange Hall"
A facility where you can experience armor near the decisive battle site and Ishida Mitsunari camp. Wear replica armor and take a commemorative photo or walk around historical sites. It takes a little time to put on the armor. If it's a group, it's better to experience it together. If there are too many people, they may be divided into two groups. Open 10:00 ~ 16:00, Price: Children's armor 1,100 yen ~ Special armor 4,400 yen (experience time 90 minutes).
A human village operated by the industrial equipment manufacturer Sekigahara Works?
Finally, I would like to move away from warlord tourism and introduce the plaza operated by local companies and the company's philosophy. Founded in 1946, we are a manufacturer of industrial equipment such as hydraulics and ships. Sekigahara Corporation There is. The group has sales of 22.3 billion yen and 550 employees.
The company has set up a vast grassy plaza on its 130,000 square meter site, where sculptures, cafes, cafeterias, museums, etc. Sekigahara Human Village It operates. The square is open to locals and tourists alike.
The company describes companies as "human plazas" where people meet, learn, and enhance each other, rather than just to pursue profits.
The turning point was the oil crisis of the 70s. At that time, the company also made a significant layoff. We will accept this as a wound and say, "We will abandon management restructuring at the expense of people, and we will continue to manage people-centered management that grows while working happily." I decided. At the root of this are the three family mottos of the Yabashi family, which was founded: "Accumulate Yin Virtue," "Don't rely on business," and "Be familiar with calligraphy and antiques." This is because at the time of the company's founding, we had the experience of starting a business with nothing and relying on human potential.
Why is an industrial equipment manufacturer in Sekigahara, which also has a depopulation problem? The square is a cost in terms of finances. The Japan economy has stopped growing. Was it an era when companies maintained their operations by cutting costs and retained internal reserves? Ms. Tomoka Yamaguchi of Sekigahara General Service, who guided us this time, said, "Our awareness of corporate activities is 51% for Hiroba management and 49% for business management. I was impressed by what he said.
I can't explain much here, but there are more interesting histories and turning points. I wanted people to know that there is such a company in Sekigahara Town, Gifu Prefecture.
In October, the Warring States event was held for the first time in three years for two weeks in a row
Finally, an announcement. 10/8 (Sat) ~ 10 (Sun, Mon) 3 consecutive holidays. "Ozekigahara Festival 2022" (Organizer: Gifu Prefecture) will be held. The scale of a large-scale music festival. You don't need to know anything about Sengoku to enjoy this program. Also, on 10/15 (Sat) and 16 (Sun) "Sekigahara Battle Festival 2022" (Organizer: Sekigahara Town) will be held. This one is more maniacal. Perhaps with next year's NHK Taiga in mind, Tokugawa Ieyasu is used as a poster visual.
Interview cooperation: Gifu Prefecture Tourism Resource Utilization Division
