Explanation of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido 32 Arai
6.5km from Shirasuka to Arai, 34°41′42″N 137°33′02″E
Araiis the 31st station on the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.
Arai is located on low ground about 3-5m above sea level, facing the Imakiriguchi entrance on the west shore of Lake Hamana.
The neighboring Imakiri Checkpoint (Imakiri Checkpoint) faces the entrance to Lake Hamana to the east.
From the Heian to the Middle Ages, Hashimoto-shuku, around Hamana Bridge along the Hamana River, prospered.
It was destroyed by the Meiou earthquake and tsunami, and relocated to the Imakiri and Arai areas.
In the Edo period, Imakiri Ferry was built between Maisaka-shuku, located on the opposite shore of Lake Hamana Imakiri.
Imakiri Checkpoint (Imakiri Checkpoint) was located as one of the key points on the Tokaido.
Currently, the topography around Arai Barrier and Imakiriguchi has changed significantly since Lake Hamana was reclaimed.
Arai Barrier, known as the “Arai Barrier Site,” has been designated a special national historic site.
The Arai Barrier Museum is located nearby.
According to a drawing of the lake mouth before the August 1498 earthquake and tsunami, Maisaka and Arai were connected by land, which is where the name Arai comes from.
The Arai settlement was located at Arenosaki, and Maisaka was called Maesawa at the time.
The Meio earthquake occurred on August 25, 1498, and the coast of the Enshu Nada Sea was hit by a huge tsunami.
The opening of Lake Hamana sank, Imakiriguchi collapsed, seawater flowed into the lake, and it became a saltwater lake.
Hashimoto was destroyed by the Meio earthquake, and the residents relocated to the Imakiri and Arai areas (Arai).
In order to transfer horses and people at the post stations, a wholesaler was in charge of the post station and handled the transfer of horses and people for the post station and assistant village.
However, if the post station was weak, a neighboring village would act as an assistant village and share the responsibility of transferring horses and people.
Of the 100 people and 100 horses at Arai-juku, 36 laborers and 36 horses were contracted and partially covered by Hashimoto Village.
The assistant village tax of Arai-juku was 5,705 koku in 1819, the lowest on the Enshu route.
Due to the restoration of Imakiriguchi and the loss and relocation of Imakiri Checkpoint, the ferry at Imakiri was extended from 27 cho (2.9 km) to 1 ri (about 4 km), making it inconvenient to cross.
After 1702, the lord of Yoshida Castle was entrusted with the management of the Imakiri ferry.
The ferry at Imakiri was operated by 360 sailors from Arai-juku and 120 boats.
Some of them were stationed in Maisaka-juku and operated ferries and transport services.
In 1844, the cost of ferrying and boat fare was 18 mon per person, 53 mon per load of luggage, and 417 mon for a chartered boat. There were 84 ferries.
The building of the checkpoint remained, and was later converted into a school and preserved.
The building of the checkpoint that remains in Arai today was rebuilt in 1855.
It is the only remaining checkpoint building in Japan, and has been designated as a special national historic site under the name “Arai Barrier Site.”
On October 6, 2014, Masugata Square, where the remains of the Omikamon Gate and earthworks were unearthed during an excavation survey, was added to the list of special historic sites.
The Arai Barrier Museum is adjacent to the checkpoint.
① “Hoeido version”
This depicts the Maisaka ferry, “Imakiri no Watashi.”
The curtained boat going ahead is a royal boat carrying a daimyo’s procession.
It appears to be evening, as the western sky is about to set.
In the boat behind, the attendants are yawning loudly and curled up asleep.
The boat is heading for Arai Checkpoint, which can be seen on the right.
This checkpoint was under the direct control of the shogunate, and was known for its particularly strict investigations.
The dock was located inside this checkpoint.
Along with Hakone, it was an important checkpoint on the Tokaido.
② “Gyousyo version”
This composition has Maizaka in the background.
The distance between Arai and Maizaka is one and a half ri by sea.
Many sailing ships are sailing in the wind.
It depicts the sea, with people coming and going.
The large number of ships makes it a key transportation point.
③ “Reisho version”
The entrance to Arai Checkpoint can be seen on the left.
Mount Fuji is depicted in the distance.
④ “Hokusai version”
The interrogation at Arai Barrier is depicted in detail.
⑤ “Travel image”
Araimachi Station.
⑥ “Stamp image”
A stamp from Arai Barrier.
Hoeido version
Gyousyo version
Reisho version
Hokusai version
Travel image
Stamp image
