[Noheji Town, Aomori Prefecture] Gorgeous “Noheji Gion Festival” ~ “Noheji”, a port of call for Kitamaebune and a shipowner village recognized as a Japan Heritage Site

Noheji Town, Aomori Prefecture, is a port town located at the end of Mutsu Bay, at the base of the Shimokita Peninsula, between the Tsugaru Peninsula and the Shimokita Peninsula.

"Noheji" comes from the Ainu word "nuppe" (a river flowing through the fields), and it is said that the kanji for "noheji" was applied to it. Because it is located at the innermost part of a large bay, the waves are calm, so it is believed that people lived here during the Jomon period, and it was a fairly large port during the late Heian period.

The port of Noheji was developed by the Nanbu domain as a gateway to the north.

During the Edo period, the Nanbu Domain (Morioka Domain), which had territory in Iwate Prefecture and the eastern part of Aomori Prefecture, established Noheji Minato (now Noheji) as the gateway to the north, and established ties with the Tsugaru Domain (Aomori Prefecture) and the Matsumae Domain (Hokkaido). Trading ships were constantly coming and going.

Eventually, the Kitamaebune, which traveled from the Osaka area to ports on the Sea of ​​Japan, loaded with goods from the Hokuriku and Tohoku regions, and returned to the Osaka area, began to extend its legs to Noheji Minato. . Clothes and culture were brought in from the Osaka area, and agricultural products such as soybeans and copper were shipped from Noheji.

Its heyday was during the Meiji era. Noheji lost its liveliness with the opening of the railway

Noheji was lined with stores of wealthy merchants such as the Nomura family and Sendai-ya, who made money through trade with Kitamaebune ships from the mid-Edo period to the Meiji period, and they also expanded their business by owning ships themselves. At its peak during the Meiji era, Noheji came to be known as the second largest port in Aomori Prefecture.

However, the port of Noheji was shallow, so small ships such as sailing ships could dock, but large steamships had to anchor offshore and transport people and cargo by barge.

In 1891 (Meiji 24), the railway (currently JR Tohoku Main Line) connecting Tokyo and Aomori Station (Aomori City) was opened, and in 1905 (Meiji 38), the Ou Main Line connecting Aomori Station and Fukushima Station was opened one after another. Although a station was built in Noheji, the center of distribution moved to Aomori Station, and due to the unfavorable conditions of the port, it rapidly lost its hustle and bustle.

"Noheji Gion Festival" was introduced from Kyoto and developed independently.

The Kitamaebune brought not only goods from the Kansai and Hokuriku regions, but also the culture of Kamigata (Kansai region) to Noheji.

The place where Kamigata culture is most evident is the Noheji Gion Festival. The Gion Festival, which originated in Kyoto, was originally a ritual to pray to Gion Shrine (Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto) for the exodus of an epidemic that began in the Heian period, but it was not until the Muromachi period that the current Gion Hayashi was played. It evolved into a festival where colorful floats (dashi floats) were paraded through the town.

It was brought to Noheji by the people who came to Noheji on Kitamaebune during the Edo period, and the gorgeous festival format was inherited and was held in its current form as the ``Noheji Gion Festival'' after the Meiji period. became.

The biggest highlight of the 4-day "Noheji Gion Festival" is the "Kaijyo Togyo" held on the third day.A portable shrine unique to the port town of Noheji, which is not found in the original Gion Festival, is carried on board. It is a maritime parade featuring a gozabune followed by a large number of fishing boats waving their big catch flags.

The ``Noheji Gion Festival'' is held for four days from Thursday to Sunday from mid- to late August every year (please inquire for dates), and on the first day, a large shimenawa rope weighing 1.5 tons is carried to ``Noheji Hachiman Shrine''. On the second and fourth days, gorgeous two-story floats are carried around the town accompanied by musical accompaniment, and on the third day, a ``marine togyo'' is held.

*The "Noheji Gion Festival" is a Noheji Town Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Noheji Gion Festival <Information>

• Name: Noheji Gion Festival
• Address: Noheji Town, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0175-64-9555 (Noheji Town Tourism Association)
• Event period: 4 days in mid/late August *Please contact us regarding the event
• URL: Noheji Gion Festival

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Words and dishes that show upward influence

Festivals were not the only reason that Kamigata culture was introduced to Noheji. Language is one of them.

In many of the territories of the Nanbu domain, the Nanbu language is the main language. Noheji is also a southern word, but it is said to have a soft nuance unique to Noheji.

The shopping streets in particular seem to be different even within Noheji, and this is said to be the influence of the Kansai dialect. However, according to the Noheji Town Library, those who do not speak Nanbu's language will not be able to tell the difference at all.

The upward influence remains in food culture. The most representative ones are ``Chagayu'' and ``Keiran.''

Chagayu

``Chagayu'' is a rice porridge made with Japanese tea in places like Kyoto, but it is said to have been introduced to Noheji in the late Edo period.

Japanese tea is not cultivated in Noheji, and the rice is cooked with Kawaraketsumei, a tea made from dried legumes that grow naturally on riverbanks.

This ``Kawaraketsumei'' improves bowel movements and has diuretic effects, and has been drunk as a tea in Noheji since ancient times.

©Aomori Prefecture

Keiran

"Keiran" is also a traditional dish from Kamigata, but it was introduced to northern Tohoku and southern Hokkaido by Kitamaebune and is eaten as a local dish.

Nowadays, there are differences in ingredients and methods depending on the region, but in general, mochiko (shiratamako) is made into a mochi shape, and red bean paste is placed inside and boiled. Arrange it into an egg shape and put it in a bowl and eat it as a soup with dashi soup or somen noodles.

Originally, it was eaten as a delicacy after the autumn harvest, but now it is served as a delicacy at tourist funerals.

©Noheji Town Tourism Association　

*There is only one restaurant where you can enjoy "Chagayu" and "Keiran", "Matsuura Shokudo", and reservations for 2 or more people can only be made by phone.

Matsuura Shokudo <Information>

• Facility name: Matsuura Shokudo (Matsuura Liquor Store)
• Address: 39-7 Kamikonakano, Noheji-cho, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0175-64-3004

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Remains of Kitamaebune remaining in Noheji

In the town of Noheji, there are remains of structures left behind by wealthy merchants who made their fortune through trading with Kitamaebune, as well as cultural assets related to Kitamaebune.

Hamacho night light

``Hamacho Nightlight'' (Noheji Town Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property) is a lighthouse (nightlight) in the harbor that was built in 1827 by the wealthy merchant Nomura family to allow ships to enter and exit safely.

The Nomura family is Nobeji's most wealthy merchant family, having inherited the name Jisaburo Nomura for generations since the Edo period.They founded a bank, and the 6th generation is a member of the House of Peers and the 8th is a member of the House of Representatives.

©Noheji Town

Nightlight in Hamacho <Information>

• Facility name: Hamacho no Toyoto
• Address: 471 Noheji, Noheji-cho, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0175-64-9494 (Noheji Town History and Folklore Museum)
• URL: Yoyato Park

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Former Nomura family residence ``Gyozasho''

The Nomura family's villa was used as an accommodation for Emperor Meiji when he visited the Tohoku region in 1876. The building at that time was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt in 1890 (Meiji 23). It is currently designated as a registered tangible cultural property of the country.

©Noheji Town

Former Nomura family residence “Gyozasho” <Information>

• Facility name: Former Nomura family residence “Gyozasho”
• Address: 132 Noheji, Noheji-cho, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture (on the grounds of Noheji Town Hall)
• Phone number: 0175-64-9494 (Noheji Town History and Folklore Museum)
• Opening hours: 9:00-16:30
• Closed: December to March
• URL: Former Nomura family residence “Gyozasho”

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Noheji Hachiman Shrine main hall and subsidiary company Kotohira Shrine main hall

``Noheji Hachiman Shrine'' is said to have been built in 1598 as the guardian deity of Noheji, and the ``main shrine'' (an important prefectural treasure of Aomori Prefecture) was rebuilt in 1714. The ``Suesha Kotohira Shrine Main Hall'' (an important treasure of Aomori Prefecture), which is located within the grounds of Noheji Hachiman Shrine, is a shrine dedicated to the god of maritime safety, ``Konpira-sama.'' It was built in 1822 by Kitamaebune wholesalers to Konpira Shrine (Kagawa Prefecture). It was donated as a subsidiary company.

©Noheji Town

Noheji Hachiman Shrine Main Hall and Sub-shrine Kotohira Shrine Main Hall <Information>

• Facility name: Noheji Hachiman Shrine main hall and subsidiary company Kotohira Shrine main hall
• Address: 12 Sasadate, Noheji-cho, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0175-64-9494 (Noheji Town History and Folklore Museum)
• Noheji Hachiman Shrine Main Hall: Closed to the public
• Suesha Kotohira Shrine Main Hall: Open to the public (please inquire)

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"Noheji History and Folklore Museum" where valuable materials of Kitamaebune are displayed

The "Noheji History and Folklore Museum" houses the Jomon period clay figurine (nicknamed Kurara), which was excavated in Noheji during the Jomon period and is a nationally designated important cultural property. In addition to the ``red lacquered wooden pot'' (red lacquered wooden bowl) that has evidence of radish (ornament with shells embedded in it), many materials related to Kitamaebune have been preserved and exhibited.

Passenger ship book (Tangible cultural property designated by Noheji Town)

The ``Passenger Ship Book'' records the customers of the Igarashi family from the Edo period to the early Meiji period, the arrivals and departures of ships, and the types of goods transported. During the 40 years from 1790 to 1870, a total of 254 ships, many from Osaka, Echizen (Fukui Prefecture), Kaga (Ishikawa Prefecture), and Matsumae (Hokkaido), came and went.

©Noheji Town

boat chest

``Funadansu'' is a chest of drawers that was used to store valuables loaded onto Kitamaebune ships. The material is paulownia wood, which prevents water from entering, and is made to float on water.

©Noheji Town

In addition, the Noheji History and Folklore Museum displays valuable artifacts such as documents that describe the business partners and transactions of the wealthy merchant Nomura family and the ship wholesaler Sendai-ya, as well as Japanese magnets.

Noheji Town History and Folklore Museum <Information>

• Facility name: Noheji Town History and Folklore Museum
• Address: 1-3 Noheji, Noheji-cho, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0175-64-9494
• Opening hours: 9:00-16:00
• Closed: Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday), holidays, year-end and New Year holidays (12/29-1/3)
• Admission fee: General 210 yen, high school and college students 100 yen, junior high school students and under free
• URL: History and Folklore Museum

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Many of the stone ornaments that can be seen throughout Noheji, such as ``night lights'', lanterns at shrines (Noheji Hachimangu Shrine), and stone steps in parks (stone steps at Atago Shrine), are thought to have been transported by Kitamaebune ships. I am. There is also the grave of a Kitamae-bune sailor, and Noheji is a place where the dreams of the men who crossed the rough seas remain strongly visible.

Noheji has been designated as a Japanese Heritage site, ``A different space created by the dreams of men who crossed the rough seas - Kitamaebune port of call and shipowner village.''

Matsuura Shokudo <Information>

• Noheji Town Tourism Association
  • Phone number: 0175-64-9555
  • URL: Noheji Town Tourism Association
• Noheji Town Hall
  • Phone number: 0175-64-2111
  • URL: Noheji Town Hall
• tourist brochure
  • URL: Tourism pamphlet

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