Echizen (越前市, Echizen-shi?) is a city located in Fukui, Japan.
As of August 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 86,562 and the density of 375 persons per km². The total area is 230.75 km².
History
Echizen city was incorporated in its present form on October 1, 2005, when the city of Takefu and the town of Imadate (from Imadate District) merged to form the new city, although it has been an important regional center for over 1,500 years. It has multiple former castle sites as well as prehistoric archeological sites. Echizen is known for its well over 300 shrines and temples. It was the home (for a year) of Murasaki Shikibu, the celebrated author of The Tale of Genji. Her father was governor of the Heian province of Echizen.
Yamato period
During the Yamato period, the area from Tsuruga to Niigata was called Koshi Province. In the year 507, a man from Echizen area ascended to the throne to become the 26th emperor of Japan, Emperor Keitai. At that time, the Takefu basin began to develop economically and culturally.
Nara period
In order to defeat the Ainu in Koshi Province, Echizen became a very important military base, as it was the closest base to the Ainu. The area that would become Echizen city became the gateway to the Hokurikudō road, and a government center was established. The area grew and became an important political, economic, and cultural center. During this period, the poet Nakatomi no Yakamori was exiled to Echizen, where he wrote some of his 40 poems collected in the Man'yōshū -- including his love letters to Sanuno Otogami no Otome. Another famous poet from the Man'yōshū, Ōtomo no Yakamochi, wrote many pieces about Echizen. Their poems can now be found in Echizen no Sato village.
Heian period
The celebrated author Murasaki Shikibu left her hometown of Kyoto only once in her life—to come to Echizen. Her father, Fujiwara Tametoki, was appointed provincial overseer of Echizen Province and Lady Murasaki came with him. She stayed for one year, and then returned home to marry Fujiwara Nobutaka. Her experiences in Echizen are said to have had a major influence on her writing The Tale of Genji, and many place names from Echizen appear in the story.
Nanboku-chō period
For about 60 years, Echizen's central area, then known as Fuchū, was an important military center. Takatsune Shiba, Constable of Echizen Province, fought with Yoshisada Nitta in the Battle of the Hino River. Shiba lost the battle, his castle was taken by Nitta, and he fled north to Asuwa Castle in Fukui City. Nitta pursued him to Fukui, but was defeated and killed by Shiba this time. Shiba returned to Fuchū and conquered both Fuchū Castle and Ōtaki Castle. The outcome of the war between the Northern and the Southern Imperial Courts was decided around the Fuchuu area. Today, a memorial to Shinzenkouji Castle can be seen at Shougaku Temple in Echizen city.
Muromachi period
Takatsune Shiba's victories in the Nanboku-chō Period allowed him to become a powerful daimyō independent of the appointed role given to him by the Ashikaga shogunate. He changed his name from Shiba to Kuratani and control of Echizen Province passed on to his offspring, rather than to another appointee. Kuratani made his home around the Ajimano area of Echizen city.
Sengoku period
During the Sengoku period, Echizen Province had a very powerful military under the command of Daimyo Asakura, who had moved the capital of the province from Fuchū to the north, near Fukui city. However, there were also lots of riots and unrest caused by Ikkō-ikki. In order to stop the riots and restore peace, Oda Nobunaga invaded Echizen Province and killed Asakura. Afterwards, he divided Fuchū among Fuwa Mitsuharu, Sassa Narimasa, and Maeda Toshiie. The three of them were known was Fuchuu Sanninshū (府中三人衆), "The Fuchū Three," for their cooperation governing the area. Part of Sassa Narimasa's castle, Komaru Castle, still stands today. Maeda Toshiie became an important daimyo and organized a large army, Fuchū being the foundation stone of his famous "hyakumangoku" domain.
Edo period
After the Battle of Sekigahara, Yuuki Hideyasu became the governor of the Fukui Domain. During this time, Honda Tomimasa, highly trusted by Tokugawa Ieyasu, was appointed as Hideyasu's chief retainer. Honda received a small piece of land and became governor of Fuchū. Fuchū, devastated by years of war, had lost its castles, roads, and buildings, and Honda is responsible for a major reconstruction of the area. He rebuilt the roads, walls, and buildings, as well as irrigation systems connected to the Hino river. Honda started the industries that still make up Takefu's base economy—blades, textiles, and industrial machinery. The Honda clan ruled the Fuchū area for nine generations—until the Meiji Restoration. Their graves can be seen at Ryuusenji in Echizen city.
Meiji period
In the second year of Meiji (1869), the area known as Fuchū was renamed Takefu. According to an ancient Min'yō called "Saibara," during the Nara and Heian periods, the area was known as Takefu, and so the ancient name was re-established. In Meiji 22, the town of Takefu was officially established.
During the Meiji Restoration, the daimyos of the Edo period were abolished and reorganized into the kazoku class. However, Honda, being only a retainer and not a daimyo, was moved into the lower shizoku class. In Meiji 3, The Honda clan rebelled against the Meiji government in protest to this demotion. This period is known as the Takefu Soudou. Finally, in Meiji 12, Honda Sukemoto was promoted to kazoku, and then made a danshaku in Meiji 17.
Shōwa and Heisei periods
In Shōwa 23 (1948), Takefu city was officially established. During the next 11 years, Takefu absorbed seven nearby villages and greatly increased in size and population. In Shōwa 31 (1956), Imadate town was established. On October 1, Heisei 17 (2005), Takefu city and Imadate town were merged to form Echizen city. The newly formed city became home to the largest number of cultural assets in Fukui prefecture.
Today, Echizen has several large electronics and apparel factories, but it is known for the large number of small businesses that flourish there; it is said that the local joke is that everyone in town addresses each other as "shacho" ("company president"). Echizen is home to a small community of Brazilians, who mostly work in a ceramic capacitor factory, and a smaller Chinese community, largely linked to the garment industry. A large contingency of foreign English teachers also lives in Echizen teaching at local high schools, middle schools,and elementary schools. These foreigners can most easily be found at their local haunts, Matsuri Sushi, Tom's Toast, Sossego and various other restaurants around town.
Famous places
Shrines
- Soja Shrine (総社大神宮) - This is the main Shrine in Echizen city. Gods from shrines all over Echizen are worshipped together here. The citizens call it "Osanja-san." Many believers visit this shrine during spring, summer, and fall events.
- Oshio Hachiman Shrine (大塩八幡宮) - In 887 this shrine was built by Kino Tomonaka, who was exiled to Echizen area because of a false charge against the government. He continuously prayed to clear his name of the charges for some years, and eventually was allowed to return to the capital, Nara. To display his gratitude, he built this shrine, which is now a National Important Cultural Property.
- Omushi Shrine (大虫神社) - It is said that this shrine has more than one thousand years of history. The shrine was rebuilt in 1996. There are two figures of male gods which are National Important Cultural Properties. A large rock god, Oiwasama, is enshrined here. Pure water called Ishigami-no-mizu is used by many people to wash their hands or rinse out their mouths. This water was once used as part of the town’s water supply.
- Hino Shrine (日野神社) - This shrine is located at the entrance of Mt. Hino, known as the Mt. Fuji of Echizen. The shrine and all of the mountain is thought to be a sacred place. There is another shrine at the top of the mountain. The Mt. Hino festival takes place during the summer. Dances are performed to honor the god of Mt. Hino. At night, participants climb Mt. Hino with lit torches to watch the sunrise from the top of the mountain. There is also an "ema" house where you can view wishes written in 1665 on wooden plaques with pictures of the seasonal harvest.
- Ajimano Shrine (味真野神社) - This shrine worships Emperor Keitai. Kuratani Tsugutoshi, the grandson of General Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, moved into this place in the Muromachi Era (1336–1573). Inside the shrine is a part of the small wall which used to surround Kuratani’s fort.
- Okafuto Shrine & Otaki Shrine (岡太神社、大瀧神社) - These shrines stand side by side on the top of Mt. Gongen, and a combined shrine, which was rebuilt through the advanced skills in constructing shrines in the latter half of Edo Era, lies at the foot of the mountain. The goddess of paper, -- the only one in Japan -- "Mistress Kawakami," is enshrined here. Legend says she taught people how to make paper 1,500 years ago. In 1985 these shrines were designated a National Important Cultural Property
Temples
- Gekkouji Temple (月光寺) - During the famine from 1833 to 1844, many people starved to death. To remember these deaths, Gekkouji temple was built in 1847, and memorial services began to be held. One important part of this temple is the beautiful giant copper Buddha which is enshrined in the main hall. 500 stones on which ancestors’ names have been written are inside the body of the Buddha.
- Hoyamaji Temple (帆山寺) - This temple is dedicated to Senju Kannon, a transformed Buddha that has 1,000 hands. It was made by a priest named Taicho in the Nara era. Other Buddha statues are also located here. For example, you can see the Nehan Buddha, a statue of the dying Buddha, along with a picture of Buddha's crying pupils on the wall behind it. A smiling Buddha, called Obinzurusan, is standing in the front gate of the temple. It is believed that one will recover from any illness by rubbing the corresponding part of the statue.
- Injoji Temple (引接寺) - Built in 1488, Injoji was one of the main branches of the Shinseishu sect of Tendai Buddhism. There are 9 buildings in the temple, which is one of the most famous temples in the city. It’s noted for the front gate which is completely made out of zelkova. There are great sculptures in this gate; 16 Buddhist saints, a dignified lion, a carp swimming up the rapids, and more. The huge Buddha made by Shakudani rocks is also a must see.
- Ryusenji Temple (龍泉寺) - In 1367 Ryusenji Temple was built by Tsugen-jakurei. It is part of the Sotoshu sect of Zen Buddhism. The temple was favored by the Honda family who were wealthy landowners here at the time. The temple has protected and maintained the graves of the Honda family since its foundation.
- Ryumonji Temple (龍門寺) - This Temple has stood in the simple architecture of Zen temples for a long time. It opened in 1299 and afterward was changed into a fort. The fort became a local base of politics and military affairs. Oda Nobunaga, who was in control of the army, set up his camp here to prepare for the war against Asakura Yoshikage and the Buddhist revolts. Now you can see the ruins of the moat and fort inside the temple’s ground.
- Kongoin Temple (金剛院) - Kongoin is in the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism, and looks like an old temple in the mountains. It was built in 1433 and moved to its present location near Takefu Station by Tomimasa Honda in 1610. Mitama Festival is held here on July 15 every year. In the festival, the silent precinct of this temple is lit up with 6,000 candles and a group of priests walk around while reading sutras.
- Reisenji Temple (霊泉寺) - Shiba Yoshitoshi built this shrine during the Muromachi Era (1336–1573). There is a rare, 8 meter tall, black lacquered wooden statue of a standing Buddha.
- Goshoji Temple (豪摂寺) - Goshoji Temple is one of the headquarters of Shinsyu sects in Buddhism. It is a very sober experience to walk under the valuable, decorated gate which is made of zelkova wood. The temple was built in Kyoto by Shinran in 1223. It was moved to Echizen City in 1615. The spacious temple contains Shinran Hall, Amida Hall, a warehouse of sutras, and a bell tower. Inspired after visiting the temple in 1983 the poets Tekkan Yosano and Akiko Yosano wrote 14 tankas expressing how beautifully Goshoji Temple was wreathed with the fallen leaves, and how much we are blessed by Buddha.
- Jofukuji Temple Garden (浄福寺庭園) - Jufukuji Temple’s garden is designated one of the must-see spots in Japan, owing to its beautiful Japanese style garden with rocks, sand, and moss. The temple was made by Tairano Yorimori whose elder brother was Tairano Kiyomori, a samurai leader of the Kamakura Era. From here you can see the beautiful Mt. Hino. A big holly tree on a mound looks like a mountain. And the moss around it is appears as a wave in the sea. The garden has many seasonal flowers: camellias in the spring, azaleas in the early summer, maple leaves in the fall, and the white flowers of holly in the winter.
- Insetsu Temple
Parks
- Murasaki Shikibu Park (紫式部公園) - This park was built in honor of Murasaki Shikibu, the author of "The Tale of Genji" who lived for a year in Echizen with her father, Tametoki Fukuwara, governor of this area. The park was modeled after a nobleman's residence in the Heian period, and looks like a very old, rich, and elegant garden. A statue of Murasaki Shikibu stands in the park, gazing in the direction of Kyoto.
- Ajimano Park (味真野苑) - Ajimano has a deep connection with the Manyo-shu (a Nara Era poem collaboration book). It includes 63 tragic love poems written by Nakatomino Yakamori, who was exiled to this area, and Sanono Otogamino Otome, who had to live in Nara apart from Yakamori. These poems are featured in the Manyo-shu. In this park, there is a stone monument on which 15 famous kawa poems were carved.
- Kakyo Park (花匡公園) - This is where we can remember Emperor Keitaiz’s life in Echizen. This park has a thousand cherry blossom trees. The view of them blooming is beautiful. In fall, colored leaves are extremely beautiful. You can enjoy the four seasons here.
- Kojiro Park (小次郎公園) - A statue of Kojiro Sasaki is watches over this park. Kojiro was a famous fencer from Fukui city. Many stones stand silently here. In the garden next to Kojiro park, various flowering cherry trees are planted. This garden allows us to enjoy the cherry trees as they change during each season.
- Rozan Park (廬山公園) - This park, on top of Murakuni Mountain, offers a beautiful night view overlooking Echizen, Sabae, and even Fukui city.
- Echizen no Sato (越前の里) - This park contains the old Taniguchi house, a National Treasure.
- Manyo-kan (万葉館) - "Manyo-shu" is a royal collection of wakas, traditional Japanese poems, from the Nara era (about 1200 years ago). Some of the "Manyo-shu" wakas are said to have been written in a part of Echizen City, in Ajimano. These poems are displayed here.
- Manyo kikka-en (万葉菊花園) - This is the Chrysanthemums Exhibition Hall. You can see life-size dolls covered with chrysanthemums, which are exhibited during the Kikuningyo Festival in Takefu Central Park. The flowers are displayed here and continue growing throughout the year. You can view the traditional way of growing mums. Some unique flowers are "nanahon-date" – a flower that branches off into seven directions, "kengai" – a flower whose petals spread out like a carpet of flowers, and "senrin-giku" – a sort of clumped up bunch of flowers. There are many other varieties to see when you visit.
Other
- Kura-no-Tsuji (蔵の辻) - Echizen's historic area in downtown Takefu, it is filled with old warehouses with white painted walls. This area flourished in the Edo Era as a stopping point for transporting supplies between the Kansai area and the Hokuriku district. The line of warehouses belonged to ancient traders. Now they are maintained in the district activation program, and a must-see-spot in downtown. Outdoor concerts and festivals often take place in the open square in the center of this neighborhood.
- Takefu Town Hall Museum (武生公会堂記念館) - This hall was built in 1929. It was repaired to keep its former appearance, and was reopened as a museum in 1995. Now, various projects take place here, such as compiling historical materials of the area, introducing the town’s history, concerts, and cultural seminars.
- Teramachi Dori (寺町通り) - This historical street in downtown Takefu is famous for its stony paths and old-looking buildings.
- The House where Chihiro Iwasaki was born (いわさきちひろの生家) - This is the house where Chihiro Iwasaki, a well-known artist, was born. She was born in the Taisho Era. The people that lived in the house restored it so that you can see and learn about the culture and lifestyle of that era. Chihiro died, but her pictures are still here for everyone to appreciate.
- Ruins of Komaru Castle (小丸城跡) - Komaru Castle was built by Oda Nobunaga’s follower, Sassa Narimasa, from 1575 to 1581. Here you can still see the foundations, part of the gate, and some roof tiles on which stories about the Buddhist revolts against Oda’s repression were written.
- Takefu Knife Village (タケフナイフヴィレッジ) - This is a workshop where handmade cutlery is made by local artisans. You can see how to make cutlery in the traditional fashion of Echizen. You can even join a class that teaches how to make a letter opener, kitchen knife, or how to polish and sharpen knives.
- Usuzumi Cherry Tree (薄墨桜) - There are many old cherry trees on Mt. Sanri. One of them is called "Usuzumi Cherry Tree," and is about six hundred yeas old. A long time ago, Ohto-no-oh had to part with his girlfriend to be appointed emperor—Emperor Keitai—in Kyoto. There after, the tree's blossom's color became lighter, so the story goes, because of her sadness. So the cheery tree is called "Usuzumi," which means almost colorless pink.
- Ougiga Pond (皇子ケ池) - This pond was once used as a baby’s bath for Emperor Keitai’s sons, whi became Emperor Ankan and Emperor Senge. Its water is very clean, like a fountain. Now, it is shaped like a hexagon.
- Washi no Sato (和紙の里) - This neighborhood is dedicated to the traditional craft of Japanese papermaking.
- Japanese Paper Plaza (和紙の広場) - This plaza is about 230 meters long. Paper shops and coffee houses are lined along it. There is a music bench, a fountain with koi in it, and many kinds of trees. It’s a great place to relax or go for a walk.
- Papyrus Center (パピルス館) - This building holds information and a workshop about the art of traditional Echizen paper. Visitors can make their own piece of Echizen paper in 20 minutes.
- The Cultural Museum of Paper (紙の文化博物館) - This museum exhibits information and history about Echizen paper and other traditional Japanese papers. Exhibits include milling techniques and the origin of Echizen paper.
- The Craftsman’s Studio in Udatsu (卯立の工芸館) - This building is a reconstruction of the original paper mill from the Edo period. While here you can view the traditional paper milling process. Ichbei Iwano, the current owner, is following in the footsteps of his father, a famous paper maker. He is the 9th generation of traditional paper makers in Imadate. He and his father have been given the honor of "Living National Treasure" by the Japanese Minister of Culture.
- Yanagi Falls (柳の滝) - The village of Yanagi is famous for its falls, small and big. They are as wonderful as Ichijo Fall in Fukui City, where the fencer, Kojiro Sasaki, is said to have devised the invincible way of killing a flying swallow, called "Tsubame-gaeshi." In particular, Nuno Fall has a beautiful flow like a thin, white cloth. Many visitors enjoy hiking around the falls.
- Minowaki no Tokimizu (蓑脇の時水) - This waterfall was selected as one of Japan's 100 best scenic views.
- Honpojin'ya Ruins
- Uno Tea Ceremony Museum
Festivals and events
January
February
April
- Hanagatami Festival, festival of cherry blossoms in Kakyo Park
- Festival of cherry blossoms in Taiyo-no-Hiroba
- 18th - Broom Festival to drive away evils in Goko Shrine
May
July
August
- 6th - Star Festival in Shinbo cho
- 14th-15th - Summer Festival in Echizen city
- 15th - Fire Festival in Mt. Onigadake
- 27th-28th - O-yori, great ceremony in Goshoji Temple
September
October
November
Specialty products
Local foods
Traditional crafts
Famous People
- Murasaki Shikibu, novelist, poet, author of one of the earliest novels in human history
- Keizan, one of the great founders of Sōtō Zen Buddhism
- Hiromoto (Kouki) Watanabe, governor of Tokyo and founder of Tokyo University
- Kinya Machimura, businessman and statesman
- Chihiro Iwasaki, children's book illustrator
- Ichibei Iwano, a paper maker and Living National Treasure
- Ryoichi Ikegami, manga artist
- Michiko Neya, voice acress
- Makara Naotaka, samurai
- Sasaki Kojirō, swordsman
- Machi Tawara, writer, translator, and poet
- Masatoki Minami (Fumitoshi Koshinaka), travel writer and railway photographer
- Hiroki Furuichi, member of THE LOOSE DOGS
- Akihisa Makida - professional baseball player on the Rakuten Golden Eagles
- Nobutoshi Shimada, professional baseball player on the Nippon Ham Fighters
- Yuka Amaya, freelance announcer
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