"CRAFT TOURISM ECHIZEN"　Passing on the history of Echizen Washi through the beauty of the garden in the Edo period

Passing on the history of Echizen Washi through the beauty of the Edo period gardens

The Mitamura Garden, a nationally designated scenic spot, is located in the Otaki district, where old-fashioned paper mills gather. The Mitamura family, which owns the garden, has been making paper since the Middle Ages, and at that time monopolized rights and positions related to paper production and sales in this area. There are many historically valuable materials left in the house, and the garden can be said to be a symbol of that. In addition to the prosperity of Japanese paper trading, the garden culture of Edo and Kyoto can also be seen in the pond garden, which consists of artificial hills, waterfalls and rocks, and Nakajima. The current garden is almost the same as the one depicted in the colored bird's-eye view, which is said to be a manuscript of 1871 (Meiji 4), and it is known that the state at the end of the Edo period has been inherited.

While surprised by the long preservation and inheritance, Mr. Shiro Mitamura, the 39th head of the Mitamura family, said something unexpected. It is said that the explanation of the garden from the predecessor was only the words, "I keep it because it is a good garden."

“It was only after I became the head of the family in my 20s that I realized the historical value of the garden. Since taking over from my predecessor who passed away suddenly, I have been able to learn about it by reading ancient documents and listening to people who are familiar with the garden. I was

Knowing the value of the garden also leads to knowing the rise and fall of the Mitamura family. In the Edo period, it had a strong position as a shogunate official, but that position disappeared with the establishment of the Meiji government. It is said that he paid the gold bill paper issued by Dajokan, but his prosperity so far was overshadowed and he fell into financial difficulties.

“If the business had continued to run smoothly, the gardener would have taken care of it, and the scenery would have changed. It was decided that

Mr. Mitamura seems to find it interesting to look back on his family business and garden, which were tossed about by history, and his ancestors (the 36th generation) who faced and overcame difficulties.

Even though it had been left unattended, daily cleaning and yukitsuri before snowfall were carried out by the members of the family, and the family business continues. Now that Ms. Mitamura is getting older, she has come to realize the beauty of the garden and the splendor of the view, just as her predecessor said, "I'm keeping it because it's a good garden."

“As the owner of the garden, I am happy and proud that so many people can appreciate the splendor of the garden.”

The words of the predecessor were imprinted in Mr. Mitamura's mind and body, leading to his determination to maintain and inherit the garden. And this feeling should be handed down to the next generation along with the history of Echizen Washi.

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