First international trade port--HAKODATE
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Ezochi |
Ezo is tha name given by the Japanese rulers to the native Japanese(including Ainus)in the northern Honshu and Hokkaido areas. Chi means "land." Hokkaido had been called Ezochi before many Japanese lived there. The Ainus had developed their own culture. They earned their living mainly by fising and hunting. After 12C.,more and more Japanese crossed the Tsugaru Strait to move into Matsumae, Hakodate and Esashi.
 Hakodate |
Matsumae Hiyama Byohbu |
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In 1454, Masamichi Kono built his manor house which looked like a box. The two Kanji(above)mean box and manor(manshion)house. This is the origin of the name Hakodate,it is said.
At the beginning of the Edo era(17 C),Southern Oshima Peninsula was ruled by Matsumae clan. The Matsumae's traded sake(rice-wine),tobacco,clothes
and ironware for Ainu's fish,seaweeds,seashells,handicrafts, and the like,which would be
sold to the merchant ships from all over Japan. They also levied the tax on the merchant
ships. The Matsumae's had the trade to themselves. The pictures are the parts of
the Matsumae Hiyama
Byohbu,orportable folding screen made in the middle of 19 C.
On the other hand, Edo government noticed the importance of this northern island as a defense point. At the latter half of 18C.,Russia was approaching to the northern frontier.Foreign ships came to Nagasaki,Kagoshima,Osaka,Kanagawa,Uraga,Hakodate,Nemuro,one after another,and required for trade.
The Japan-U.S.friendship treaty was signed in 1854 to open Hakodate
and Shimoda,and the trade treaties with Russia,England and France were also signed.
After that,the government directly ruled most areas of Hokkaido. They established Bugyosho(local government)at Hakodate.
Also,to check the move of Russia coming south down,the first western-style castle Goryo-Kaku was built in 1863.
The site of Goryoh-Kaku
planned by a scholar of Dutch Studies; It took 7 years to complete; Now, only the
storehouse and the well can be seen. It's famous for cherry blossoms, too.
To get there,take the streetcar(tram)to Gryoh-Kaku
Koen from Hakodate and walk 15 minutes.
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Hakodate |
In 1869,the Meiji new government renamed the northern island Hokkaido,and established the Reclamation(Colonial) Agency to promote reclamation there. The two Kanjis of Hakodate were changed to the present one.
Now,Hakodate is the main entrance to Hokkaido from Honshu, as well as Chitose. You can easily access by air and the railroad through the undersea tunnel. Motomachi, Hakodate is popular as an exotic sightseeing spot. Here and there, you can see the old western-syle churches,companies,shops and warehouses.
for more information about the history of
Hakodate,
