Osayo of the Satetsu River

A long time ago, a young man called Santaro was born in the neighboring town of Nagasaka. 


When he was 13, their land, home and other assets were seized to pay debts incurred through his father's alcoholic affliction. Santaro worked hard without complaint serving the master of another house to bring food to their table. He was often allowed to take the leftovers from his master's home.


Santaro was a loyal son and even though he was tired from his day's work, he would endure it  to perform the lion dance throughout the late hours at his drunken father's request. The place of Shishi-ga-hana (Lion's Nose) where Santaro mastered the dance can be visited through our regular boat rides through the Geibikei Gorge.


When Santaro grew older, his maturity and looks adhered him to the hidden affections of a woman called Osayo. Though she was beautiful, she wanted to wash away her dark skin and regularly bathed in the Satetsu River on a daily basis believing her skin would whiten. 


As her skin never did, she kept her desires secret. Her love for Santaro remaining unknown to him and the love that could have been - forever unrequited.


The hardship, hard work, and loyalty to his drunken father commended respect with the locals and word of his piety reached the ears of the Daimyo lord of the time Date Yoshikuni. 
Santaro quickly became a favorite and was gifted his horse in 1854. This was later followed by a gift of money, and a family name which at that time would only normally be reserved for nobles and those of wealth. Then, in his 25th year, Santaro married in the spring to a young maiden called Tori introduced by the Daimyo lord.


When Osayo heard of his marriage, her only hope died with her. She threw herself into the Shishi-ga-hana and the iron sand that silts the basin of the Satetsu River is considered to be the dark skin that she tried to wash from her. From time to time, in the dusk light hours, a small bird called the Varied Tit is believed to be the reincarnation of Osayo. An embodiment of her love is also captured in "The One Cherry Tree of Osayo".

*This story is from the book called "The legend of Iwate（「岩手の伝説」）" by Hirano Tadashi（平野 直）. I roughly translated the story.

Tategamori Ark Farm

 

Set in the heartland of Fujisawa, Ichinoseki, in North East Japan is a vast area of 100 hectares laced with lush green hedges, carefully pruned bushes, lavender and sweet smelling herbs.  Tategamori Ark Farm is not only a topiary wonder but as the name suggests it is also home to many animals such as red deer , sheep, pigs, ponies and rabbits. It is also graced by the elegant white peacock and many varieties of domesticated fowl.

The farm also has its own shop, restaurant and barbecue house that provides home reared pork, home made bread, tofu and many other culinary delights.

About the Pork: The pigs of the Tategamori highlands eat several kinds of herbs and tapioca which gives the pork its distinctive richness and chewy texture. They are reared in healthy and natural surroundings and are certified as a Babcock Pork.

The home reared pork provides excellent ham and sausages. The unique taste of the sausages are further enhanced by a technique adopted from Germany which involves integrating spices. This   extends the quality of the meat to a top drawer taste that is a favourite of the nation. Other than the added spices, the meat is sold with either very little or no additives.

Open days are on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday between the hours of 11:00 to 14:00.

Main Event : The "Ton-ton Derby" is held at the Ark Farm in May and October every year. Participants lead a baby pig and run together to the goal.

Around the farm, there are also the Iwate Safari Park and the Tategamori Kogen Hotel.

The world of Miyazawa Kenji

Kenji Miyazawa who was from Iwate was a poet, an author of children's literature and a social activist in the early Showa period of Japan. Among the works which he left are a peculiar view of his world. And they are loved by many people even now.

Moreover, he was also a geologist who had relation with Ichinoseki. Near by Geibikei, there is the Northeast Macadam Factory where he worked as a engineer later his life. The factory is registered tangible cultural properties of the country. And it is opened as a museum for general public. He must sometimes have visited Geibikei, while working in that factory.

Especially the poetry "Ame ni mo Makezu" that he made is famous. We can see his personality in this poetry.

-Ame ni mo Makezu-

ame ni mo makezu                                        
kaze ni mo makezu                                        
yuki ni mo natsuno atsusa ni mo makenu
jobu na karada wo mochi 
yoku wa naku
kesshite ikarazu
itsumo shizuka ni waratte iru
ichinichi ni genmai yon go to
miso to sukoshi no yasai wo tabe
arayuru koto wo jibun no kanjo ni irezu
yoku mikiki shi wakari
soshite wasurezu
nohara no matsu no hayashi no kage no
higashi ni byoki no kodomo areba, itte kanbyo shite yari
nishi ni tsukareta haha areba, itte sono ine no taba wo oi
minami ni shiniso na hito areba itte kowagaranakute mo ii to ii
kita ni kenka ya sosho ga areba, tsumaranai kara yamero to ii
hideri no toki wa namida wo nagashi
samusa no natsu wa oro-oro aruki
minna ni deku-no-bo to yobare 
homerare mo sezu
ku ni mo sarezu
so iu mono ni watashi wa naritai

His literature, "Night on the Galactic Railroad" was made an animation.

 

What is the Akakaki?

Geibikei whose colouring of autumn is increasing. Unfortunately, it was a rainy today but many tourists have visited here.

The above are the two photos which a boatman is doing the work called Akakaki; a dialect about here Agagagi.

The Akakaki means the work which drains off the water which collected into the boat. Our boatmen use the stick which collect the water called the Akakaki stick made of the wood. The Aka means the water.

I wish the rain would stop tomorrow...rain, rain go away!

Otsuki's Three Wise Men in Ichinoseki

In Ichinoseki,the historical character called three wise men that are deeply related to the opening of a country of Japan is in which we live. Their bust sculpture is put on the station square.

Otsuki Gentaku (1757~1827)

He studied Dutch medicine and Dutch. He also had published the primer "Rangaku Kaitei" of Dutch study book at the age of 26. He opened the first Dutch private cram school in our country. Then he contributed to a medical advance including the completion of "Jutei Kaitai Shinsho" for revised edition of "Kaitai Shinsho".

Otsuki Bankei (1801~1878)

He was the second son of Otsuki Gentaku and played an active part as a Confucian scholar of Japanese spirit and Western Learning who appealed for the opening of a country to foreign trade and diplomatic relations.

Otsuki Fumihiko (1847~1928)

He was born as the third son of Otsuki Bankei at the Edo age. He completed the first dictionary "Genkai(言海）" in our country. It was reorganized by "Dai Genkai(大言海）" later.