Okazaki – Home of Edo

 

‘Home of Edo’ is a catch phrase which expresses the grandness of Okazaki.  The reason why we call Okazaki the “Home of Edo” is deeply connected to Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa.

 

There is a book called ”Edo no Indenshi” (English title: Edo Inheritance)  written by Tsunenari Tokugawa, who is the is the eighteenth head of the main lineage of the Tokugawa family. His work experience at NYK line for years enabled him to develop a multi-cultural relationship with people from over 50 countries and also learn about their background history and unique culture.    This experience made him realize the importance of learning about the history of Japan, especially the Edo period, to clearly understand modern Japan.

 

Tsunenari Tokugawa explains in the prologue of his book:

 

“Many countries are confronting their loss of culture, tradition values as the world is in the middle of a big wave of globalization. Japan is almost the only country which absorbed, digested and created the new value after encountering the western civilization.

 

Present-day Japan is quickly consuming what is left of the original Japanese civilization, something that took millennia to develop. Yet the backbone of that culture, the deep structure that underlies it, is not so easily lost. It is my strong belief that if there is a way for Japan to contribute to the rest of the world, it must be by displaying our Japanese-ness without hesitation, pursuing economic growth through Japanese organizational principles, and constructing a society that can coexist with nature.”

 

When we take a look at the history of Okazaki, we can see how there is a deep connection with Edo.

 

It is said that there was an artisan’s group called 三州六人衆 “Sanshurokuninshu” which means 6 people from the Sanshu area (Aichi prefecture) including Okazaki. They were professionals of civil engineering and construction when Ieyasu was living in the Okazaki area.

 

In 1590, when Ieyasu went to the ruined land of Edo (Tokyo), the “Sanshurokuninshu” worked hard from the starting point. One of them became the leader of constructing the city of Edo. General manager was also appointed from Okazaki, who was trusted by Ieyasu. It could be said that the townscape of Edo was built by people from Okazaki. 

 

Next to Otemachi is Kanda. In Kanda there is a town called Mikawa cho. When Ieyasu came to Edo, he offered this area of town to the merchants from Mikawa.

 

There is also a town called Mikawajima in Arakawa ward.  Here, it is said that people from Mikawa made armors using bamboos.

 

When business started in Edo, most reliable Yago (names that are passed down used by artists and merchants etc) was Mikawaya. Liquor shops, lodging, restaurants, kimono shops prospered in the name of Mikawaya.

 

Also the Edo Bakufu (government structure of Edo) was established based on the simple government structure of Okazaki by Ieyasu.  We can say that the foundation of Japan was established as it linked from Mikawa, Okazaki to Edo.

 

One of the greatest accomplishments of Ieyasu was how he emphasized in education and diplomacy as his political policy.

 

As he spread print publishing and established Teragoyas (schools for children), he developed a country rich in education.

 

Ieyasu’s strategy of diplomacy was not to invade and not to be invaded. He protected Japan with a sophisticated strategy while other countries used religion as tactics. 

 

It is important to understand the inheritance from Okazaki to Edo and how that influenced the politics which created a peaceful nation.

 

We should treasure this inheritance from Okazaki, the “Home of Edo”.

*Translated from the book 『すなおじゃないけど、ひねくれてるわけでもなく』徳川家康に学ぶ-祈り written by 深田正義 Masayoshi Fukada