Explanation of the 53 Stations of the Tokaido 50 Tsuchiyama
10.6km from Minakuchi-juku to Tsuchiyama-juku, latitude 34°56’05″N, longitude 136°16’56″E
Tsuchiyama-juku is the 49th post station on the 53 stations of the Tokaido in Koka District, Omi Province.
Tsuchiyama-shuku is located in the present-day Kita-Tsuchiyama, Tsuchiyama-cho, Koka-shi,
Shiga Prefecture, and Minami-Tsuchiyama, Tsuchiyama-cho.
During the Heian period, the Ise Sangu Road began to pass along the old Tokaido Route, which crossed Suzuka Pass.
Tsuchiyama has developed as a lodging station that provides access to difficult areas.
During the Kamakura period, the east-west transportation route connecting Kyoto and Kamakura became even more important.
It was a popular place for not only samurai warriors but also merchants and common people to pass by.
It flourished after the Edo Shogunate designated Tsuchiyama as an inn station.
The center of the post station is Goyakucho, where there is a wholesale market, honjin, and wakihonjin.
Surrounding it are inns, shops, teahouses, etc., forming a long and narrow post town.
The Edo shogunate granted exemptions from land ownership and other privileges to protect the towns.
According to the 1843 Tokaido Inn Village Summary Book, there were 351 houses, a population of 1,505, 2 main shrines, and 44 inns.
In the Suzuka Umako song, it was sung, “The slope is shining, Suzuka is cloudy, and the mountain is raining.”
Emperor Meiji stayed at Tsuchiyama-juku on his 16th birthday on September 22, 1889.
The upper room, where feudal lords and others stayed, and the garden remain as they were back then.
Valuable materials such as lodging books, checkpoints, and crafts are preserved as cultural properties.
The souvenir at the roadside station “Aino Tsuchiyama” is Tsuchiyama tea, which boasts the largest production of tea leaves in Shiga Prefecture.
Tsuchiyama tea was popular among people who traveled to Tsuchiyama during the Edo period.
In addition, shuriken, Baumkuchen, Shigaraki ware, etc. related to Koga ninja are also on sale.
① “Hoeido version”
The first big mountain pass when heading towards Edo from Kyoto is Suzuka Pass.
Tsuchiyama, where the Umako song goes, The slope is shining, Suzuka is cloudy, Ai no Tsuchiyama, it rains.'' is known as a place with a lot of rain. The strong current of the Tamura River on the right side of the screen shows this. Unlike46 Shono-juku,” there are countless intersecting lines representing rain, expressing the strength of the rain.
In the pouring rain, a procession of feudal lords begins to quietly cross the Tamura Bridge over the Tamura River.
② “Gyosho version”
I am walking in the mountains of Suzuka Pass. This is the scenery of Suzuka Pass with a lot of rain.
A line of people wearing hats and umbrellas and carrying luggage on their backs. The first step is moving through muddy water.
③ “Reisho version”
It has a three-tiered composition: mountain range,''stony riverbed,” and “road in the foreground.”
④ “Hokusai version”
I’m not sure, but I think it’s related to Tamura Shrine in Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
⑤ “Travel images”
This is the roadside station Aino Tsuchiyama.
⑥ “Stamp image”
It is a stamp of Roadside Station Aino Tsuchiyama.
“Hoeido version”
“Gyosho version”
“Reisho version”
“Hokusai version”
“Travel images”
“Stamp image”
