How was the Tohoku region sung about in the third volume of the Railway Songs? (2) Shiraishi (Miyagi) - Nitta (Miyagi)

Continuing from the previous article , I will be discussing the third volume of "Railway Songs," "Oshu/Iwaki Edition," which was released in 1900

Last time, we explained the route from No. 1, which departs from Ueno Station in Tokyo Prefecture (at the time), to No. 24, which travels north along the Tohoku Main Line (*) to Shiroishi Station in Miyagi Prefecture. This time, we will start from No. 25, which is just past Shiroishi Station

...or so I'd like to say, but I forgot to mention number 24 in the previous article, so I'll start there (please note that I always include the pronunciation of stations on the Tohoku Main Line the first time they are mentioned)

*At the time, the Tohoku Main Line was treated as the "main line" or "Oshu Line" of the private railway company Nippon Tetsudo (Japan Railways), but for the sake of clarity, it is generally referred to as the "Tohoku Main Line."

In creating this article, I referred to this website for the lyrics. Please note that more than 70 years have passed since the deaths of all the authors of the Railway Song, and the copyright has expired in many countries, including Japan and the United States

Number 24: Shiraishi

Some people get off at Nagaoka and head to Iizaka for hot spring treatments, and I hear that beyond Kosugō, Shiroishi is already in the province of Rikuzen

(The kanji characters and kana spellings have been updated to reflect current usage.)

Shiroishi Castle

The 24th route, which I mentioned at the end of the previous article, ended when we entered Miyagi Prefecture and reached Shiroishi. About 1 km west of Shiroishi Station is Shiroishi Castle, a beloved symbol of Shiroishi City

When the "One Castle Per Province" decree was issued during the Edo period, according to the principle, all castles in the Sendai Domain, ruled by the Date clan, except for Sendai Castle where the lord resided, had to be demolished. However, Shiroishi Castle was permitted to remain standing, contrary to this principle (*). The Katakura clan, including Katakura Kagetuna, a senior retainer of Date Masamune, served as the castle lords for generations until the Meiji era

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Miyagi Prefecture also has a castle with a castle tower! Shiroishi Castle, the residence of Katakura Kagetsuna, a senior retainer of the Date clan

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/26489

When we think of famous castles in the Tohoku region, we think of Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture, Aizuwakamatsu Castle in Fukushima Prefecture, and Sendai Castle in Miyagi Prefecture! Unfortunately, Sendai Castle no longer has a castle tower. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any castles with towers in Miyagi Prefecture. Located in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, Shiroishi City is home to Shiroishi Castle, which was once the residence of the Katakura clan, who served as senior vassals of the Date clan. This time, we'll be introducing Shiroishi Castle! What is Shiroishi Castle? Shiroishi Castle is a flatland castle located in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, and is also known as Masuoka Castle. Historical documents related to Shiroishi Castle are extremely scarce, making it difficult to know when and by whom it was built.

*However, it seems that the Sendai Domain and its branch domain, the Ichinoseki Domain, had as many as 21 de facto castles referred to as "fortifications." One can only say that this is truly the work of the Date clan..

Isn't Shiraishi in Iwaki, not Rikuzen?

As they enter Miyagi Prefecture, the lyrics "We are already in the land of Rikuzen" appear

The area that now comprises the prefectures on the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region, including Aomori Prefecture, was long known as the province of "Mutsu (or Michinoku)." However, in December of the first year of the Meiji era (January 1869), Mutsu was divided into five provinces: "Rikuo, Rikuchu, Rikuzen, Iwashiro, and Iwaki."

The Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture and the Nakadori region, along which the Tohoku Main Line runs northward, largely correspond to Iwashiro (and partly to Iwaki). On the other hand, Rikuzen roughly corresponds to present-day Miyagi Prefecture. However, Miyagi Prefecture and Rikuzen are not exactly the same. For example, there are areas that were formerly part of Rikuzen but are now part of Iwate Prefecture, such as Rikuzentakata City in southeastern Iwate Prefecture

The same applies to southern Miyagi Prefecture; it's "not exactly the same."Areas like Shiroishi are in Miyagi Prefecture, but they're not in Rikuzen,they're in Iwaki (as you can see, the Railway Songoften contains lyrics that may not be factual). However, saying "Iwaki" strongly evokes the image of Fukushima Prefecture, where Iwaki City is located, so it's unlikely that present-day Shiroishi would be referred to as Iwaki anymore.

The actual entry into Rikuzen would be from Ōgawara Town in Shibata District, which is adjacent to the current city of Shiroishi. In terms of train stations, it would be from Ōgawara Station, which was the next station after Shiroishi in 1900. This station is not mentioned in the lyrics

No. 25: Abukuma River

The Abukuma River, which eventually flows into the eastern sea, is close to the window, and the joy of dancing comes forth, singing endless songs

After passing Shiroishi, the Tohoku Main Line runs parallel to the Shiroishi River. The Shiroishi Riverthe Abukuma River. The Abukuma River, in turn, flows into the Pacific Ocean in about 10 km.

The Abukuma River is a 239km-long Class A river that originates in Nishigo Village, Nishishirakawa District, Fukushima Prefecture, flows northward through the central part of Fukushima Prefecture, passing through cities such as Shirakawa, Sukagawa, Koriyama, and Fukushima (*), and empties into the Pacific Ocean at the border between Iwanuma City and Watari Town, Watari District, Miyagi Prefecture

*In other words, the Tohoku Main Line ran parallel to the Abukuma River for almost its entire length within Fukushima Prefecture, sowhy such a river doesn't appear in the lyrics even once until it enters Miyagi Prefecture.

Of course, historically speaking, it would be more accurate to say that the towns of Nakadori in Fukushima Prefecture were formed along the Abukuma River, rather than saying that the Abukuma River flows along Nakadori. The Abukuma River is also known as the "mother river of Fukushima Prefecture." There is no doubt that it has supported people's lives since prehistoric times, providing water for drinking and agriculture, and serving as a route for logistics via river transport.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

[Fukushima Prefecture] The Abukuma River: A River Close to People's Lives | Tracing Its History and Landscape

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/31724

This time, we'll focus on the Abukuma River, a first-class river, and introduce the magnificent scenery that spreads across its basin in Fukushima Prefecture. The Abukuma River has long appeared in the world of poetry, irrigating countless rice fields and being used for transporting goods. It boasts numerous scenic spots and has captivated viewers since ancient times. Please enjoy the sight of the Abukuma River, which has been an integral part of people's lives. What kind of river is the Abukuma River? The Abukuma River is a first-class river that flows from Fukushima Prefecture to Miyagi Prefecture. Its total length is 239 km, making it the 6th longest river in Japan. It originates in Nishigo Village, Nishishirakawa District, Fukushima Prefecture, and flows through Fukushima Prefecture, merging with the Shakado River, Otakine River, Arakawa River, Surikami River, and others...

As a river deeply rooted in the lives of people and running through Nakadori, it has also been the setting for historical events. It was on the banks of the Abukuma River that Date Terumune, the father of Date Masamune, met his tragic end

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

A tragic end or a conspiracy by Masamune? The life of Date Masamune's father, Terumune [Fukushima Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/37518#i-5

Many people who have a connection to Yonezawa or Sendai are familiar with the military commander and feudal lord Date Masamune, even if they aren't particularly interested in history. But what about Masamune's father, Terumune? Without Terumune, Masamune would not have been born, of course, but it's fair to say that Terumune also laid the foundation for Masamune's expansion. However, Terumune's end was, at the very least, tragic, and some believe it may have been the result of Masamune's conspiracy. The Birth of Date Terumune: Date Terumune was born in 1544 (Tenbun 13) as the second son of Date Harumune, at Nishiyama Castle in Date County (present-day Fukushima...).

(This is completely off-topic, but my maternal grandfather was from Date, and for him, the Abukuma River was not a mother river at all, but rather a river where he nearly lost his life in his childhood... Of course, if he had lost his life, I would not have been born.)

As we approached the Abukuma River, the lyrics suddenly appeared: "The joy of singing and dancing." I'm not entirely sure what the author is trying to say, but perhaps the scenery was so beautiful that it made them want to sing. If so, I can understand the feeling

Number 26: Iwanuma

The bustling Iwanuma Station is like a horse market in spring and autumn. Who is it that pushes forward on a thousand-mile journey for the sake of the country?

The train arrived at Iwanuma Station . Iwanuma is also the terminus of the Joban Line , which connects Tokyo to Miyagi via the Pacific coast (the Joban Line had a different name at the time). The Joban Line will appear later in Volume 3, so I will leave the explanation for a later article.

As mentioned in the lyrics,Iwanuma was once a bustling center for horse markets. It is said that around the same time that Takekoma Shrine in Iwanuma was founded, in 842 AD (Jōwa 9), the provincial governor Ono no Takamura started a horse market there.

The horse market was held around Takekoma Shrine for 100 days starting from the shrine's first Horse Day (the 8th or 9th of the second month of the lunar calendar), but it was shortened to 50 days during the Edo period.the Sendai domain took the 50 days that were shortened from the Iwanuma domainholding a horse market, but this is not certain.

During the Meiji era, the Iwanuma horse market regained its prosperity. In 1871,Iwanumawas designated as a government-owned location for purchasing military horses. The lyrics mention "spring and autumn horse markets," so it is likely that the Iwanuma horse market during the Meiji era was held twice a year, in spring and autumn. However, the author has not been able to find any documents that definitively confirm this.

Furthermore, within the grounds of Takekoma Shrine,a museum called the "Equestrian Museum." Inside, it houses valuable materials such as the "Equestrian Plaster Statue of Date Masamune," which is a designated tangible cultural property of Iwanuma City.

However, the Horse Museum isit is only open for limited periods, such as the Hatsuumasai and Akitsuki Taisai festivals. I suspect that the museum is only open during the times when the horse market used to be held.

Reference: Information on the 2026 Autumn Grand Festival (already concluded)　Information on the Autumn Grand Festival of Takekoma Shrine, one of Japan's three major Inari shrines

The lyrics, "Who is it that pushes forward on a thousand-mile journey for the sake of their country?", likely mean that the horses from Iwanuma, which have become warhorses, are traveling a thousand miles (which translates to 3,927 km, but this probably doesn't represent a specific distance, but rathersomething like "a very long journey") for the sake of their country (to win the war).

It is said that after the Russo-Japanese War, which took place after the release of the Railway Song, ended in 1905, the demand for military horses increased, and the Iwanuma horse market flourished even more. With the end of World War II, the demand for military horses disappeared, and the Iwanuma horse market came to an end

However, horses from Iwanuma have continued to play important roles even after the war. The horses that pulled the carriage during the ceremony in which the current Emperor Emeritus became Crown Prince in 1952, and the horses that participated in the wedding parade with Empress Michiko (now Empress Emerita), were purchased from Iwanuma. Also, the horse that the current Emperor rode when he began riding as a child was donated from Iwanuma. Furthermore, the Emperor, when he was Crown Prince, visited Iwanuma in June 2011, which was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake

Number 27: Sendai

Sendai City, known as the largest city in Tohoku, had its division stationed in the castle built by Date Masamune

We have arrived in Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region, both in the past and present .

Sendai Castle , also known as Aoba Castle , built by Date Masamune , was the headquarters of the Second Division of the Imperial Japanese Army during the Meiji era. Until 1945, Sendai was not only the largest city in the Tohoku region but also one of Japan's leading military cities. Other collections of the Railway Song also mention army divisions in Osaka, Hiroshima, Kumamoto, and other cities.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

The pride of the six Tohoku prefectures: "Here lies the majesty of the Sendai domain, a large domain in the Michinoku region with 620,000 koku of rice!" Sendai Castle, built by the One-Eyed Dragon [Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/44294

The Sendai Domain was ruled by the Date clan from its establishment until its abolition during the Meiji Restoration. While the domain's official kokudaka (rice yield) was 620,000 koku, its actual kokudaka (rice yield), including its branch domain, Ichinoseki Domain, exceeded 1 million koku. The Date clan's direct vassals alone numbered approximately 10,000, and its maximum military strength was said to have reached approximately 35,000. Despite being an outside daimyo, they were given the surname "Matsudaira," and successive lords of the domain were given the official title of "Mutsu no Kami." It is said that the domain's founder, the 17th head of the Date clan, Date Masamune, personally climbed Mount Aoba to define the boundaries of his castle, Sendai Castle. The term "territory" in a castle refers to the "territory" of animals, anti-social forces, etc.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Aoba Castle? Sendai Castle? Introducing the base of the Sendai domain built by Date Masamune!

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/4051

About a 12-minute drive from Sendai Station, on Aobayama Hill, which offers a panoramic view of the city, stood a castle that once ruled Sendai. This castle, known as Aoba Castle, built by Date Masamune, remains beloved by locals even after its disappearance. Now, the site of Aoba Castle is a famous tourist destination representing Sendai City. This article introduces Aoba Castle. Aoba Castle? Sendai Castle? Which is correct? If you visit Aobayama Park, located on the Aoba Castle site, you'll see names like the Aoba Castle Exhibition Hall and the Aoba Castle Honmaru Hall. These are facilities related to Aoba Castle...

The current population of Sendai City is approximately 1.09 million, meaning about half of Miyagi Prefecture's residents live there.the only city in the Tohoku region with a population of over one million, andalso the only designated city in the region. In addition to its large population, Sendai City is home to numerous government offices and branches of major corporations, solidifying its position as the central city of the Tohoku region.

Number 28: Sendai

The buried wood from the Abukuma River and the hakama fabric from Sendai-hira are all products of this land. Take a look around here for a day

Number 28 describes local specialties of Sendai

"Buried wood" refers to trees that were buried approximately 5 million years ago and have carbonized, becoming fossilized.

The lyrics mention "buried wood from the Abukuma River," but the Abukuma River basin is quite far from Sendai City. In reality, it seems that buried wood excavated from lignite layers in the Aobayama and Yagiyama areas of Sendai was commonly used in Sendai

Traditional crafts that utilize the wood grain remaining in buried wood arecalled "umegi-zaiku" (buried wood crafts) andare a specialty of Sendai.

Furthermore, "Sendai-hira" is a silk fabric that developed under the patronage of the lord of the Sendai domain. Sendai-hira hakama (traditional Japanese trousers) were favored by high-ranking samurai and became famous throughout the country.

Although Sendai-hira was manufactured by private companies even after the Meiji era, currently only one company, Sendai-hira Limited Partnership, carries on the tradition of manufacturing Sendai-hira. A characteristic of Sendai-hira hakama is that it has a plump and dignified appearance when seated, and returns to its original shape like a bamboo blind when standing, and can withstand all movements

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

[Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture] Important Intangible Cultural Property "Seiko Sendaihira" is the highest quality brand of hakama fabric

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/4686

In Miyagi Prefecture, the most beloved traditional craft among ordinary people is the kokeshi doll. But what about the traditional crafts favored by the samurai class? Sendai, a city of one million people, flourished as the political and economic center of the Tohoku region during the Edo period under the name of the Sendai Domain. As Sendai was founded by Date Masamune, known for his love of extravagance, it naturally boasts numerous crafts favored by the samurai. This time, we'll introduce one such craft: "Sendai-hira." The highest-grade brand of kimono! What is Sendai-hira? Sendai-hira is a type of woven fabric, pronounced "Sendai-hira." It can also be written as 仙臺平, but this is a registered trademark of Sendai-hira Limited Partnership. This article will explain...

Number 29: Sendai

The trees on Mount Atago are green, the waters of the Hirose River are white, and in Sakuragaoka Park, there are flowers, young leaves, moon, and snow

Number 29 introduces famous places in Sendai

Mount Atagois a 78-meter-high mountain located south of downtown Sendai, on the right bank of the Hirose River. As its name suggests, Atago Shrine is built on the mountaintop. It has long been a popular mountain to climb, offering panoramic views of Sendai.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Atago Shrine on Mt. Atago (Sendai City) [Miyagi Prefecture], dedicated to the fire god Kagutsuchi and the guardian deity of the Years of the Dragon and Snake!

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/28029

Located in the southern part of central Sendai, Atago Shrine, perched atop Mount Atago, offers a panoramic view of Sendai city across the Hirose River, making it a famous night view spot. There are approximately 1,000 shrines bearing the "Atago" name across Japan's 43 prefectures. This article focuses on Atago Shrine, located in Mukoyama, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, and the Atago faith that inspired its name. What is Atago Shrine? Atago Shrine is located south of central Sendai, atop Mount Atago, 75 meters above sea level, across the Hirose River. The main deity enshrined in the main hall of Atago Shrine is Kagutsuchi, the god of fire. Amaterasu Omikami (Amaterasu Omikami) is also enshrined as a secondary deity.

The Hirose Riveris a 45km-long Class A river that flows through the center of Sendai City.the mother river of Sendai City. The Hirose River is a tributary of the Natori River, and the two rivers merge in Wakaba Ward in eastern Sendai City. The Natori River is a 55km-long Class A river that flows through Sendai City and Natori City.

Next, it mentions "Sakuragaoka Park," but the"Sakuragaoka Park" currently located in Sakuragaoka 8-chome, Aoba Ward, is completely different from the "Sakuragaoka Park" that appears in the Railway Song.

The park mentioned in the Railway Song is located in Sakuragaoka Park 3-chome, Aoba Ward, on the left bank of the Hirose River across from the Sendai Castle ruins. Its current name is " Nishi Park "

As the lyrics suggest, it used to be called "Sakuragaoka Park." Later, when Tsutsujigaoka Park was opened on the east side of Sendai Station, Tsutsujigaoka Park was given the nickname "East Park," and Sakuragaoka Park was given the nickname "West Park." However, for some reason, Tsutsujigaoka Park stuck with its original name, while Sakuragaoka Park's new nickname, West Park, became more established

Nishi Park is said to be the oldest park in Sendai City , having opened in 1875. Not only is it a famous spot for cherry blossoms, but as mentioned in the lyrics, it is a park where you can enjoy the scenery of each season, from fresh green leaves and autumn leaves to snowscapes.

The lyrics about Sendai continued for three verses, but we'll finally resume our journey in the next verse

No. 30: Iwakiri, Shiogama

Near the Taga monument, I disembark at Iwakiri and change trains. The train is at Shiogama Chika Bay. Come ashore, boat, to Matsushima!

Tagajo

"Taga no Ishibumi" likely refersthe Tagajo Monument. While the nearest station is currently Kokufu-Tagajo Station, the nearest station at the time, as indicated in the lyrics, was Iwakiri Station.

Tagajo Castle was founded in the first year of the Jinki era (724 AD) and served as the provincial capital and garrison of Mutsu Province. As a castle, it was undoubtedly a military base, but it also served as the administrative center, similar to a prefectural office, for the region that now comprises Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori prefectures

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Tagajo, the mysterious northern capital that appears in utamakura poems from the Heian period (Miyagi Prefecture)

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/16464

Tagajo was the provincial capital of Mutsu Province, founded in 724 (Shinki 1) by Ono no Azumahito. During the Nara period, a Chinjufu (military base) was also established there, playing a crucial role as the political, cultural, and military center of ancient Tohoku. By the end of the Heian period, Tagajo had completely lost its function. The Tagajo ruins are now an iris garden, a place of relaxation for citizens. ©Fukushima Travel In the 800s, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro's conquest of the Emishi (indigenous people of northern Japan) progressed further north, and the Chinjufu was moved to Isawajo (Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture)...

Transfer to the Shiogama Line at Iwakiri Station

The lyrics of verse 30 say, "Get off at Iwakiri and change trains," but no matter how much you look at the current route map, you won't understand why you would need to change trains at Iwakiri to get to Shiogama on the Tohoku Main Line

Reference:Southern Tohoku Railway Route Map | JR East

On the current route map, in addition to the line going towards Morioka (the main route of the Tohoku Main Line), Iwakiri Station is also served by a line that terminates at Rifu Station, commonly known as the Rifu Branch Line.Until a certain period, this terminating line was actually the Tohoku Main Line (the old route of the Tohoku Main Line).

The question "How can this be the Tohoku Main Line when it ends at Rifu?" is understandable, but previously there were tracks running from Rifu Station to Shinai-numa Station. After the new line through Shiogama opened in 1944, the old line from Rifu Station to Shinai-numa Station was abandoned in 1962

Meanwhile, by 1900, a line had also been opened from Iwakiri to Shiogama (located in a different place from the current Shiogama Station, near where the Hon-Shiogama Station on the Senseki Line is now). This line would later be called the Shiogama Line. The line that was mentioned in the Railway Song, where passengers transferred at Iwakiri Station, is this Shiogama Line

During the time when the provincial capital of Mutsu Province was located in Tagajo, there was a port for the provincial capital called "Kozu" in Shiogama.The place name Kozu-machi in present-day Shiogama City is believed to be a variation of the spelling of Kozu.

With the establishment of Kōzu, it was a reasonable idea to build a railway line to Shiogama, which had long been a representative port on Matsushima Bay. At the planning stage, the Shiogama Line was intended to be part of the Tohoku Main Line. However, when the Tohoku Main Line was further extended, it was constructed by branching off at Iwakiri, just before Shiogama, and passing through Rifu, away from the sea

The inland route had steep gradients, which made train operations difficult, so a new route via Shiogama was established. When the new Tohoku Main Line (the current route) opened in 1944, the western part of the Shiogama Line (up to the vicinity of the current Kokufu-Tagajo Station) was repurposed for the new line

The new line was initially for freight trains only, but later passenger trains also began using it, eventually leading to the closure of the old line (between Rifu and Shinainuma) in 1962. This marked the realization of the concept envisioned during the construction of the Tohoku Main Line

On the other hand, the eastern section of the Shiogama Line was kept as a freight train line before being discontinued in 1997

Take a boat from Shiogama/Chiga-no-ura to Matsushima Bay

The lyrics describe taking the Shiogama Line, arriving at Shiogama Station, and thenboarding a boatto sail out into Matsushima Bay. At that time, the Tohoku Main Line (the old line) did not run along the coast, and the Senseki Line did not yet exist. Therefore, it can be inferred that the main way to visit Matsushima by train was to travel to Shiogama on the Shiogama Line and then take a boat from there.

Currently, if you're sightseeing in Matsushima,it's convenient to get off at Matsushima-Kaigan Station on the Senseki Line. Trains on the Tohoku Main Line and the Senseki-Tohoku Linedo not pass through Matsushima-Kaigan Station, so if you're taking a train from Sendai Station, you'll need to board from the Senseki Line platform located underground at the station.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Appearing in Episode 2 of the anime "That's Journey"! How do you get to Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Most Viewed Places? [Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/43861

The TV anime series "That's Journey" aired from April to June 2025. It tells the story of the protagonist, Suzugamori Chika, an aspiring manga artist who deepens her knowledge through a spontaneous journey (a careless journey). The first half of episode 2, "It's Not Just for Show! A Trip with Kitoki," takes place in Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture. This article introduces how to get to Matsushima, touching on the depictions in the series. #That'sJourney2 "It's Not Just for Show! A Trip with Kitoki" 📝 Synopsis 🖼 Stills Released! After another draft of her story is rejected, Chika sets out on another journey to break the cycle...

The Railway Song is interrupted at verse 30, and a song called "Matsushima Boat Trip," treated as an appendix, is inserted for four verses. Even though you depart from Sendai, you make another detour after only one verse

Matsushima boat trip

Row, row, come on, boatman, On the mirror-like sea, The shadows of the 800 islands floating on the waves are fascinating,
changing as you watch, The shape of the pines, the shape of the rocks The island that stands before us is now far behind, shrouded in mist, On a snowy morning,
on a moonlit night, What kind of people are playing there? No matter how far we look, there is
no end to it With the evening scene of Futagojima's Godaido on our right, Near the forest of Zuiganji, The boat has arrived at the shore, Not even for a moment

Matsushima is the collective name for approximately 260 islands scattered in and around Matsushima Bay in northeastern Miyagi Prefecture. The lyrics of the Matsushima boat trip song mentioned above refer to "eight hundred islands," but there aren't actually 800 islands. It's likely that 800 is used as a "large and auspicious number," similar to "eight million gods."

Matsushima is known as one of Japan's three most scenic spots , along with Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture and Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture

The boat that departed from Chiga-no-ura in Shiogama passed near the twin islands (Kujira-jima and Kame-jima) in the northwest of Matsushima Bay, and arrived at the shore with Godaido and Zuiganji temples on its right. It seems they landed on the shore near present-day Matsushima Town, close to Matsushima-kaigan Station on the Senseki Line. The commentary says it was "not even a short while" (it was over in a flash), so they must have enjoyed the scenery

Godaido is believed to have been built in the early 9th century by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro during his eastern campaign, and the current building was rebuilt by Date Masamune.the oldest existing Momoyama-period building in the Tohoku region.

Zuiganji Temple is also said to have been founded in the early 9th century. The current main hall was also built by Date Masamune

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Zuiganji Temple, a temple rebuilt by Date Masamune, located in Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Most Viewed Sites (Miyagi Prefecture)

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/206

Zuiganji Temple is a Rinzai sect temple located in Matsushima Town, Miyagi County, Miyagi Prefecture. Its official name, including the mountain name, is Matsushima Seiryuzan Zuigan Enpuku Zenji (Shoto Seiryuzan Zuigan Enpuku Zenji). It occupies a corner of the scenic Matsushima landscape, known as one of the "Three Views of Japan." The temple's Godaido Hall towers over the rocky outcrop in front of the temple gate, and the pier for sightseeing boats to tour the island is visible, making it a popular tourist destination. Founded by Ennin, the Tendai sect temple, Zuiganji's origins are recorded in the Tendai-ki, a book believed to have been established during the Nanboku-cho period or the early Muromachi period.

This article features "Date Masamune" 12 times (excluding this one →). It seems that the history of Miyagi Prefecture cannot be told without mentioning this man

As explained in the commentary for number 30, Matsushima-Kaigan Station on the Senseki Line is currently the most convenient station for sightseeing in Matsushima. However, in 1900, not only had the Senseki Line not yet been opened, but the Tohoku Main Line was also an old line that ran far from the sea

So, how did they get back on their Tohoku Main Line journey after the "Matsushima Boat Trip"? Did they walk to Matsushima Station? Incidentally, Matsushima Station was located on the old line, so its location is different from the current station, about 3 km to the north-northwest

Or did they take another boat back to Shiogama, and then take the Shiogama Line back to Iwakiri? The method of their return is unknown as it is not described in the lyrics

Currently, the Tohoku Main Line runs along the coast, so if you want to resume your Tohoku Main Line journey from Matsushima Kaigan, it's best to walk to Matsushima Station or take a taxi. If a Senseki Line train bound for Ishinomaki arrives at Matsushima Kaigan Station at the right time, you could also take it to the next station, Takagimachi, and walk about 1km from there to Matsushima Station. At Takagimachi, you can transfer to the Senseki Tohoku Line bound for Sendai, and then at the next stop, Shiogama, transfer to the Tohoku Main Line bound for Morioka

31st: Kashimadai, Kogota, Nitta

Even on the train, the conversation was lively with talk of Matsushima, Kashimadai, Kogota is near the shrine, and Nitta has a beautiful marshy landscape

Now that we've returned from the ship to the train, the railway song will resume

Noisy in Kashimadai

Assuming the narrator boarded a Tohoku Main Line train from Matsushima Station, the next station at that time would have been Kashimadai. The lyrics describe other passengers talking about Matsushima even after boarding the train. They were probably excitedly expressing their admiration for the beautiful scenery. It's also worth noting that the station name "Kashimadai" seems to be a pun on "kashimashi" (a Japanese word meaning "noisy" or "boisterous")

Kogota Mountain Shrine

The next station after Kashimadai is Kogota, as Matsuyama-machi was not yet open at the time. Currently, Kogota Station is served by three lines: the Tohoku Main Line, the Rikuu East Line, and the Ishinomaki Line, and some trains on the Kesennuma Line also stop there, making it a major transportation hub. However, at that time, only the Tohoku Main Line was in operation

The " Kami no Miya" in Kogota likely refers to the Yamanokami Shrine, located about 1.7 km north of the station . Incidentally, Kogota Station was relocated to its current location around 1910. Before the relocation in 1900, it was located further north, closer to the Yamanokami Shrine.

Yamajinja Shrine is said to have been established in 1141. The main deity enshrined there is Konohanasakuya-hime no Mikoto, a figure from Japanese mythology. She is considered the goddess of the mountains who protects them and gives birth to their blessings. It is said to bring good fortune in relationships, conception, safe childbirth, and child-rearing

Swamp near Nitta Station

The next station mentioned, Nitta Station, is located near a marsh, or rather, surrounded by a marsh, just as the lyrics describe. Izunuma Marsh, located north of the station, is a place where greater white-fronted geese (a national natural monument) and whooper swans come to visit, and it remains a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts

Izunuma Marsh and the nearby Uchinuma Marsh were registered under the Ramsar Convention in 1985. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty established in 1971 with the aim of conserving wetlands. In Japan, it was the second to be registered under the Ramsar Convention, following the Kushiro Marsh in Hokkaido, which was registered in 1980

Our trip through Miyagi Prefecture, where we enjoyed Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region, and Matsushima, one of Japan's three most scenic spots, has come to an end. We will now enter Iwate Prefecture on the next train, number 32. That's all for today

Series <Railway Song>

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

How was the Tohoku region sung about in the third volume of the Railway Songs? (1) Ueno (Tokyo) - Shiroishi (Miyagi)

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/56854

You might think that "Tetsudo Shoka" (Railway Song), which begins with "A whistle blows at Shinbashi," is a song about the Tokaido Main Line heading west from Tokyo, right? Actually, there are five volumes of Tetsudo Shoka (some say there are six or seven), and only the first volume sings about the Tokaido Main Line. The third volume features railway lines in the Tohoku region. So, what exactly does Tetsudo Shoka refer to in the Tohoku region? What is Tetsudo Shoka? Tetsudo Shoka is a song published in 1900 during the Meiji era. It sings about the areas along the railway lines that ran through Japan at the time, and it became a nationwide hit. It can be considered one of the origins of local-themed songs...

Yuto Ono

A former railway engineer and current freelance writer who has loved trains since childhood, his dream is to make train travel his career