Matsushima, the three most famous Japanese scenery, painted by Ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige. Does the island in the painting still exist today? [Miyagi Prefecture]

Utagawa Hiroshige was an Edo period ukiyo-e artist famous for producing masterpieces such as "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido .

In his later years, Hiroshige published a 70-page illustrated collection of famous places in the Rokujuyoshu (Sixty-odd Provinces) "Distant View of Gassan, Mogami River" in Dewa , and the other "Outline Map of Matsushima Landscape and Toyama View" in Mutsu .

This time, while looking at the outline map of the Toyama panorama of Matsushima scenery in Mutsu, : "Does the island in the picture still exist?" So we decided to look into it!

Hiroshige's view of Matsushima began with "Toyama: Reikan," one of the four great views of Matsushima

This is no doubt about the title of the painting ([Mutsu] A Brief View is looking south at Matsushima Bay from "Toyama: Refined View."

By the way, the four great views of Matsushima are famous spots where you can get a panoramic view of the islands floating in Matsushima Bay. In addition to the beautiful view from Toyama there are other scenic spots such as Otakamori , the imposing view from Tamonzan , and the mysterious view from Ogiya

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

If you want to see the full view of Matsushima, check out the spectacular outlook of the Four Great Views! [Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/9722

Matsushima's four scenic spots are known as the Four Great Views. Surrounding Matsushima Bay from the east, west, north, and south, they are called the Grand View (Otakamori), the Reikan (Toyama), the Ikan (Tamonzan), and the Yukan (Ogidani). These names are said to have been coined by Funayama Mannen, a Confucian scholar from the Sendai domain, who praised them as follows: "The Grand View of Otakamori in the east, the Yukan (Ogidani) in the west, the Ikan (Tamonzan) in the south, and the Reikan (Toyama) in the north." So, let's introduce each spot, one by one, with photos, in the order we visited them. [South] The Ikakan (Ikadani) of Tamonzan...

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Does the island depicted in the painting still exist today?

Returning to the main topic, there are a total of 11 characters written in the painting that appear to be the names of islands or places

• Nacome
• Moon Star Island
• White Hama
• Monkey Forest
• Fun
• Naka(me?)shima
• Komachi Island
• Ishihama
• Ka (ro?) ketashima
• Hanabushi
• ？？？

At the very top of the picture, in the dark blue area above "Hanabushi" there appears to be some writing. I couldn't make out this part at all... so I'll look into the other parts!

"Nakome" is Nagome

The name of the place still remains today: Tetaru Nago, Matsushima-cho . Judging from the location of the painting, this is definitely the place.

"Tsukihoshishima" is Tsukishima and Hoshijima

We quickly found this too. Off the coast of Nago Fishing Port, there are two small islands that look like the moon and the stars nestled next to it. They are called Tsukishima and Hoshijima .

"Shirahama" is Shirahama Island

"Shirahama" also Shirahama Island . For some reason, the name did not appear, but the slightly larger island visible below Koshirahama Island on the map is Shirahama Island .

"Monkey Forest"

"Monkey Forest" ... However, since the area in question is now a dense forest, perhaps it means "a forest where many monkeys lived"? Probably.

"Tanoshima" is Kunoshima Island

The island referred to as "Tanoshima" Kunoshima . This is just my guess, but perhaps Hiroshige misheard something when he asked a local person about the name of the island? The dialect of Mutsu was mixed with coastal dialect, and the language was probably quite different from that of Edo.

Or perhaps the character "ku" was mistakenly written as "ta" when drawing

Is "Naka ​​(Me?) Shima" Rakan Island?

Judging from the relative positions of the paintings, the location of "Naka(me?)shima" be an island called Rakanjima it seems possible that Hiroshige misheard Rakanjima and thought Naka(n)shima

"Komachishima" is Komachi Island

Although it is very small, "Komachishima" also Komachijima . Its location is roughly correct.

"Ishihama" is the name of a place on Katsurashima Island called "Ishihama"

its location and size, "Ishihama" Katsurashima there is actually a place called "Ishihama" on the island

"Ka(ro?)Ketashima" is Kaketajima Island

Like Komachi Island, there is another island Kaketajima which is located in a location that matches the location in the picture. By the way, this island is classified as Shiogama City.

"Hanabushi" is located in Hanabuchihama, Shichigahama Town

This is obvious from the location. It is likely to be Hanabuchihama

Surprisingly, the place names and islands remain exactly as they were back then!

After doing some research, I discovered that the place names and islands remain exactly as they were when Hiroshige painted them! It's quite moving to think that we can still see the same scenery today as people of the Edo period did

If you have the opportunity to go to see , "Toyama: Reikan," try looking at the scenery on your smartphone and comparing it with "Mutsu Matsushima Landscape: A Brief View of Toyama

Aoiwa

Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs.