Explanation of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido 12 Mishima
5.9km from Numazu to Mishima, 35°7’33.6″N 138°54’39.0″E
Mishima is the 11th station on the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.
It is located in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
It is known as the area where the roadside station Oze Kaido Mishima-juku is located.
In 1843, the station had two main inns, three side inns, 74 lodgings, a population of 4084, and 1025 houses. It was the first post town west of Hakone Pass.
During the Heian period, Mishima, where the provincial capital of Izu Province was located, became the center of Izu.
It developed as a temple town for Mishima Taisha Shrine.
The Mishima women, known as “Mishima Joroushu”, were known for being beautiful.
In Tokaido Hizakurige, Yaji and Kita run away when a tout pulls them by the sleeve.
In the end, they stay the night at Mishima-juku.
It was fine until they had fun with the food-giving woman.
But then the turtle incident happened and things took a turn for the worse.
Throughout the Edo period, it was under direct control of the shogunate and was a tenryo territory.
In the early Edo period, a palace was set up for the shogun to stay in.
During the Sengoku period, Yamanaka Castle was built between Hakone Pass and Mishima.
Yamanaka Castle is a medieval Japanese mountain castle located in Yamanaka-shinden, Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
It was built by the Hojo clan and was a subsidiary castle of Odawara Castle.
It is one of the Ten Hakone Castles.
It was abandoned when the Hojo clan was destroyed.
It still retains much of the castle structure unique to the Hojo clan.
It was designated a national historic site in 1930.
In 1973, Mishima City developed it as a park.
It was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Great Castles (number 40) on April 6, 2006.
The Mishima calendar, a souvenir from Mishima Taisha Shrine, is a famous local product. The Mishima calendar is a kana calendar.
A kana calendar is a calendar written in kana.
Calendars written in kanji were meant to be read by men.
It was made for women and children.
It was mainly distributed in Izu and Sagami.
It is said to be the oldest calendar printed in kana in Japan.
The Mishima Calendar Maker’s House is a museum that exhibits the Mishima calendar, Japan’s oldest kana calendar.
The museum exhibits printing tools such as woodblocks used to print the calendar.
There is also a panel that summarizes the history of Japanese calendars.
You can experience a guided tour and printing a Mishima calendar.
The famous lucky rice cake “Fukutaro” is a grass mochi wrapped in smooth bean paste.
Both the rice cake rice and red beans are carefully selected.
It has a refreshing sweetness and is full of natural aromas.
Mochi is a food that strengthens life.
The mugwort contained in grass mochi has been said to ward off evil spirits since ancient times.
It is one of the most nutritious wild plants, and is especially rich in calcium reserves.
Mishima Taisha Treasure Museum is a lush park located just south of JR Mishima Station.
In 1954, the gardens were designated a national natural monument and place of scenic beauty.
The park includes an animal plaza, a vehicle plaza, a local history museum, and the cultural asset “Rakujukan.”
① “Hoeido version”
This depicts travelers setting off early in front of the shrine gates of Mishima Shrine.
The light shines on the travelers leaving their lodgings early in the morning, creating a scene of morning mist.
The shrine gate visible in the background is Mishima Taisha.
The group in the palanquin in the foreground is heading from Mishima towards Hakone.
The three figures on the left are heading towards Numazu.
The travelers on horseback wearing mawashi raincoats are still sleepily looking down under their hats.
The background is depicted without using outlines to express the humid air caused by the mist.
② “Gyousyo version”
The post town is depicted from above.
The cherry blossoms are blooming behind the tea shop on the left, creating a spring scene.
Two samurai holding parasols are walking happily.
③ “Reisho version”
The eaves of an inn are depicted from a bird’s-eye view behind the torii gate of Mishima Shrine.
④ “Hokusai version”
Travelers and couriers are depicted in front of the torii gate of Mishima Shrine.
⑤ “Travel image”
JR Mishima Station.
⑥ “Stamp image”
A stamp from JR Mishima Station.
Hoeido version
Gyousyo version
Reisho version
Hokusai version
Travel image
Stamp image
