Traditional crafts

The One-Eyed Dragon's Right-Hand Man, "Katakura Kojuro," and Shiraishi [Part 2] | The "Fueki-ryu Artillery Technique" and Many Famous Items Passed Down in Shiraishi

What are the famous sights and attractions of Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, the land that was ruled by the Kojuro family?

It is well known that Katakura Kagetuna, Date Masamune's right-hand man, was entrusted with governing Shiroishi Castle, and that successive heads of the family have inherited the name "Kojuro." This area corresponds to present-day Shiroishi City in Miyagi Prefecture, and the achievements of successive Kojuro are still revered today

This time, I'd like to introduce some of the famous local products and landmarks of Shiroishi, a town that evokes the spirit and atmosphere of the Sengoku period. Each of these might offer a clue to the legacy of Katakura Kojuro

I tried approaching each topic from a different angle, ranging from somewhat niche items to well-known ones

The "Fueki-ryu Artillery Technique" passed down in Shiroishi City

First, let me introduce the Fueki-ryu style of artillery, which was practiced in the Sendai Domain and is currently preserved by the Katakura Rifle Corps in Shiroishi

Artillery techniques, that is, the art of firing matchlock guns and cannons, are still preserved today in several schools as a part of ancient martial arts

It is well known that the introduction of the matchlock gun dramatically changed warfare during the Sengoku period, and since then, it has been preserved and studied as one of the important combat techniques in each domain

What's noteworthy is the systematization of how to use it as a powerful weapon, including secret techniques for aiming to improve individual shooting accuracy, methods for firing from various positions, and methods for coordinated, coordinated group attacks

Furthermore, it's not just about shooting; methods for mixing gunpowder were also taught, and it can be described as a martial art encompassing a wide range of skills, including the handling of all kinds of firearms, sometimes referred to as "fire techniques."

Artillery fire by the Katakura Rifle Squad at the Oni Kojuro Festival
Artillery fire by the Katakura Rifle Squad at the Oni Kojuro Festival

One of the distinguishing features of the Fueki-ryu school is said to be the method of shooting while remaining fixed in place, such as in a cross-legged position, while wearing armor

Furthermore, the Fueki-ryu school of martial arts states that there are six types of battles: "field battle," "castle siege," "siege," "half-way battle," "field battle," and "naval battle."

The general meanings of each are as follows:

  • Field observation (yasō)... Observation and reconnaissance of terrain and battle conditions in the field
  • Castle siege: A battle to capture the enemy's castle
  • Siege (rōjō): To barricade oneself in one's own castle and defend against the enemy
  • A sudden encounter with the enemy during a march; a chance encounter
  • Field battle: A full-scale battle held on flat ground or similar terrain
  • Naval warfare (funaikusa) - battles fought on boats; surface battles and naval battles

In the Fueki-ryu school of swordsmanship, this"Rokkoku Ichinyo" (six powers in one), and it teaches that in order to win a battle, individual marksmanship and group tactics must be properly integrated.

Therefore, the emphasis on leading powerful individuals to maximize the military's strength is perhaps characteristic of artillery schools that convey the spirit of the Sengoku period

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the artillery techniques envisioned "naval warfare." While it is unclear to what extent these techniques have been passed down, it can be imagined that precise loading and accurate firing of bullets on a rocking, unstable ship would have required specialized stances and physical training

Furthermore, since matchlock guns are most vulnerable to water, effective use in naval or sea battles would have required meticulous attention to detail, including waterproofing of the gunpowder and other equipment

The fact that this preparation for actual combat is so clearly conveyed is what makes the Fueki-ryu style so remarkable

It is also said that members of this school trained in other domains, such as Himeji and Maebashi

Top 3 Specialties of Shiroishi

Next, I will introduce three items that are well known as specialties of Shiraishi

Although they belong to different genres—gourmet food, crafts, and local products—all of them are deeply flavorful and imbued with the charm that evokes the history of Shiroishi

Umen (hot noodles)

Shiraishi Udon noodles (with mushroom-flavored syrup)
Shiraishi Udon noodles (with mushroom-flavored syrup)

The first specialty of Shiroishi is a type of somen noodle called "Umen."

It is most commonly seen served floating in warm broth, similar to the so-called "nyumen" dish, but it can also be eaten cold

It is characterized by being shorter than somen noodles, about 9 cm long, and about 0.3 mm thicker

Another key difference from somen noodles is that no oil is used during the shaping process, resulting in a soft, gentle flavor that is easy on the stomach

Its history is said to date back about 400 years, and legend says it was founded by a man named Suzuki Asaemon who lived in the castle town of Shiroishi

It is said that Asaemon, worried about his father who had to fast for several days due to a stomach ailment, created this noodle using a noodle-making method without oil that he learned from a traveling monk

The fact that it is shorter than somen noodles is said to be evidence that it was designed to be easy for sick people to eat, and it is said that Lord Katakura Kojuro, impressed by this story, personally gave it the name "Onmen" (warm noodles)

It's unclear how much of it is historically accurate, but the climate of Shiraishi, being suitable for noodle making like somen, likely played a significant role

And the fact that the name of Katakura Kojuro appears prominently in the origins of these local dishes is surely characteristic of Shiraishi

Kokeshi dolls

The second specialty of Shiroishi"kokeshi," a.

Yajiro-style Kokeshi
Yajiro-style Kokeshi

The Yajiro district of Fukuoka Hachimiya in Shiroishi City is the production area, and among the many types of kokeshi dolls, it is known as the "Yajiro style."

The costumes are characterized by their colorful and vibrant paintings, and they remain a very popular souvenir item even today

Its history is long, and it is said that this industry existed during the Hōreki era (1751-1764) in the mid-Edo period, and the names of 13 craftsmen are recorded in the records from the third year of Kyōwa (1803)

The reason why kokeshi doll making flourished in Shiraishi is due to the existence of a specialized group called "kijishi" (woodworkers)

A woodturner is a skilled craftsman who uses a lathe to rotate and shape wood, creating bowls and other items. While it's well known that woodturners migrate to areas with suitable timber, in Shiraishi, it's said that a common practice is for farmers to engage in this as a side business, with their wives and daughters selling the finished products at the nearby Kamasaki Onsen hot spring resort

Shiroishi Japanese paper

Thirdly, let's talk about "washi" ( Japanese paper), a specialty product of Shiroishi

When it comes to washi paper from the Tohoku region"Michinoku-kami"is well-known, and its high quality has been recognized by the nobility of the capital since the Heian period.

Although the exact time when washi paper production began in Shiraishi is unclear, it is said that its existence was well-known during the Edo period

Shiraishi Washi paper lantern
Shiraishi Washi paper lantern

A distinctive feature of this paper is that it is made from the female plant of the paper mulberry tree (Broussonetia papyrifera), and because it produces extremely strong paper, it can even be used to make clothing

Since 1973, this Shiraishi washi paper has been used for the "paper robes" worn by the monks during the Shuni-e ceremony at Todai-ji Temple in Nara

As mentioned earlier, Shiraishi Udon noodles, along with Shiraishi Kudzu, a local specialty made from kudzu starch, and Shiraishi Washi paper, are collectively known as the "Three Whites of Shiraishi."

Shiraishi, protected by the descendant of the "One-Eyed Dragon's Right Hand Man"

This was a story about Katakura Kagetuna, who supported Date Masamune throughout his life, and about the land of Shiraishi, which was protected by successive heads of the family who inherited the nickname "Kojuro."

It's fascinating to reflect on the turbulent history that spanned from the Sengoku period to the Meiji Restoration, and to consider the impact that the bond forged between the one-eyed dragon and his retainer had on modern history

Furthermore, the Katakura Rifle Corps, who practice the Fueki-ryu style of artillery that is passed down in the Shiroishi area, also perform demonstrations in Shiroishi Ward, Sapporo City, to commemorate the achievements of their ancestors

The feelings of the people from both regions, who cherish their history, seem to rise up with the magnificent smoke of cannon fire

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