MatsuuraTakeshiro, the godfather of Hokkaido. Introducing in detail the life of an explorer from MatsusakaCity that was made into a drama on NHK.

Do you know MatsuuraTakeshiro who was active from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration?

He is a great man representing Mie Prefecture who roamed all over Japan and was active as an explorer, but his most notable accomplishment was naming the place formerly known as ``Ezochi'' ``Hokkaido.''

2018 was a memorable year, marking the 200th anniversary of MatsuuraTakeshiro birth and the 150th anniversary of the naming of Hokkaido, and various commemorative events were held throughout the year in Takeshiro's birthplace, MatsusakaCity.
In addition, by disseminating information about MatsuuraTakeshiro and MatsusakaCity to the whole country, we aim to make local residents feel proud and attached to their hometown, which will lead to regional revitalization.

It was also made into a drama on NHK!
It was aired nationwide on July 15, 2019, and the star-studded cast also attracted attention, with Arashi's MatsuuraTakeshiro playing the role of Takeshiro Matsuura.
Hokkaido 150th anniversary drama “Eternal Nishipa” ~ MatsuuraTakeshiro, the man who named Hokkaido~

What kind of person was MatsuuraTakeshiro?
First, let's go to the MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum in Matsusaka MatsusakaCity Mie Prefecture, and trace his achievements!

● MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum

MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum, which opened in 1994, is a museum that collects and stores materials related to Takeshiro, and conducts research and exhibitions.
It houses a vast collection of historical materials, including 1,505 important cultural properties and 223 tangible cultural properties of Mie Prefecture, and introduces Takeshiro's achievements.

Immediately after entering the museum, on the floor is a detailed ``East-West Ezo, Mountains, and Rivers Geographic Survey Map,'' which Takeshiro wrote with his own feet, printed in almost full size.
By combining all 26 partial maps, it covers the whole of Hokkaido, and even the names of river tributaries and inland places are described in great detail.

Takeshiro researched and explored Hokkaido six times between the ages of 28 and 41, and just by looking at this diagram written in fine print, you can get a glimpse of his intense curiosity and research abilities. Probably.
The contents of the exhibition room change every two months, showcasing Takeshiro's versatility as not only an explorer, but also a scholar, publisher, and writer.

A life-sized statue of MatsuuraTakeshiro is displayed at the entrance of the exhibition room.
Takeshiro went on a journey for the first time when he was 16 years old.
From the age of 17, he traveled all over the country for nine years without ever returning to his hometown.

Takeshiro, who visited Kyushu, deepened his relationships with various people in Nagasaki, and learned that the Ezo area was being threatened by Russia, and strongly felt the need to investigate the Ezo area, which was still unknown.

Takeshiro kept very detailed records, and there are 151 books containing records of six surveys of Ezochi.

The content is wide-ranging, including not only the results of geographical surveys, but also introductions to flora, fauna, products, and the culture and lifestyle of the Ainu people.
While traveling around the country, he formed friendships with many patriots, including Shoin Yoshida, the Confucian scholar Kisaburo Rai, and Toko Fujita, a Confucian scholar from the Mito domain, and exchanged information with them. The materials that were used are also preserved.

The most eye-catching feature in the exhibition room is a replica of the study.
Takeshiro, who was approaching the age of 70, built a 1 tatami-sized study in his home in Tokyo.
At that time, it is said that he asked his acquaintances from all over the country to send him old materials from local shrines and temples, and he assembled them to create his study.

You can get a glimpse of his lifestyle, where he ``wakes up and sleeps on half a tatami mat, and sleeps on one tatami mat.''

The safe located near the exit of the exhibition room is the one that was actually used in Takeshiro's parents' home.
Weighing over 600 kg, this sturdy, fireproof safe was extremely rare even at the time, and proves that Takeshiro's family was an influential figure in the area.

There is a projection room next to the exhibition room, and we have prepared a program that introduces Takeshiro from four aspects: explorer, writer, scholar, and publisher (the screening time is approximately 15 minutes).
Local elementary school students and others visiting on field trips learn about Takeshiro here.

Ainu costumes are displayed in front of the entrance to the exhibition room, and you can try them on.
Why not take a commemorative photo wearing a costume with unique patterns sewn on?

MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum is a must-see facility for learning about MatsuuraTakeshiro the godfather of Hokkaido, who had an unparalleled thirst for knowledge and a spirit of adventure.
You can feel Takeshiro's overflowing vitality.

●Birthplace of MatsuuraTakeshiro

`` MatsuuraTakeshiro Birthplace'' is located about a 7-minute walk from the MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum.

His birthplace, Sugawa Village, Kazushi District, Ise Province (present-day MatsusakaCity Matsusaka City), was originally the territory of the Kishu Wakayama Domain, and the Matsuura family was responsible for organizing the land.
The family home of the Matsuura family still remains along the Ise Kaido Road near kumozu River, and will be opened to the public from February 25, 2018 (Sunday) to commemorate the 200th anniversary of their birth. It was decided that it would be done.

The houses along Ise Kaido have a unique architectural style called ``tsumari'', and are characterized by their depth compared to the width of their frontage. Since Takeshiro was the fourth child of the Matsuura family, Takeshiro's older brother took over and lived in this family home.

The building has been restored to its Edo-period appearance with reference to a family portrait drawn at the end of the Edo period.
The main building is approximately 200 years old.

Immediately after entering the entrance, there is a room with tatami flooring, and it seems that the family mainly lived here. The rooms are separated by sliding doors and sliding doors, and are characterized by the fact that there are no large walls inside.

Additionally, in one room there are hangers hanging from the ceiling that are said to have been used to store bows, spears, and naginata, indicating that the Matsuura family had a role in protecting the area.

If you go a little deeper, you will see a large oven.
With such a large stove, we can imagine the lifestyle of the Matsuura family, who served as the face of the community and welcomed many visitors.

The large barrel at the back of the stove is actually a bath from that time. It is said that he took a bath with hot water boiled in a stove. In addition, household goods that were left in the storehouse, such as pots and bento boxes, are also on display.

The annex next door was built approximately 50 years after the main building was completed, and was used to entertain Takeshiro's guests.

At that time, there was a large folding screen in this room, and many letters sent by Takeshiro were pasted on it.

The lantern built by Takeshiro still remains in the garden facing the veranda.

Behind the main house are two storehouses and a barn.
A huge amount of materials related to Takeshiro were stored in this storehouse, which led to the construction of MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum, where materials are preserved, managed, and researched.

It is said that Takeshiro also wanted to travel because he had a house along the Ise Highway and saw many travelers from all over the country aiming for IseJingu.
Both the main building and the outbuildings have been preserved and repaired, and by preserving as much of the original building materials as possible, the building still retains its appearance from the Edo period. It is a valuable place where you can learn about Takeshiro's upbringing and experience the culture and lifestyle of the time.

[Birthplace of MatsuuraTakeshiro]
Address: 321 MatsusakaCity
Phone number 0598-56-6847 (MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum)
Official URL https://takeshiro.net/
Opening hours: 9:30-16:30
Closed on Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday), the day after a holiday, and New Year's holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)
Admission fee: 100 yen for adults, free for those under 18 years old (group discounts available for groups of 20 or more).Common admission ticket with MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum: 350 yen for adults.
Access: 7 minutes walk from MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum, approximately 16 minutes by car from Ise Expressway “Hisui IC” or “Isshi Ureshino IC” Parking lot: 5 cars

●Takeshiro Festival

The Takeshiro Festival is held every year in February, the month of Takeshiro's birth and death, in order to spread awareness about the achievements of MatsuuraTakeshiro, the godfather of Hokkaido, and the culture of the Ainu people.
*In 2019, it was held on Sunday, February 24th.

On the day of the event, there will be a performance of traditional Ainu dance by members of the Shizunai Ethnic Culture Preservation Society, which transmits the traditional culture of the Ainu people from Hokkaido, as well as performances by local groups such as wind music, dance, and plays by Takeshiro. Various performing arts were also presented.

Furthermore, on this day, admission to the MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Museum will be free, and in addition to viewing various exhibits, there will also be fun events such as Takeshiro quizzes.
There was also a sale of Hokkaido specialties and products developed in honor of Takeshiro (Takeshiro bento, Takeshiro balm, etc.), as well as experiences of Ainu culture.
The limited sale of ``Takeshiro Nabe'' made with Hokkaido ingredients such as corn and salmon was also popular!

[Takeshiro Festival]
Venue MatsuuraTakeshiro Memorial Hall and birthplace
Phone number 0598-56-7905 (Takeshiro Festival Executive Committee Secretariat (MatsusakaCity Mikumo Regional Promotion Bureau Regional Promotion Division))
URL: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/event/7797.html
Time 10:30-15:30 *Rain or shine Admission is free, but some events may require a fee.
Access by public transportation Free shuttle bus runs from Kintetsu Ise-Nakagawa Station and Apita Matsusaka Mikumo store
Access: Approximately 15 minutes by car from Ise Expressway “Hisui IC” or “Isshiureshino IC”
Parking: Free temporary parking is available near the memorial hall and at Apita Matsusaka Mikumo store.

*Information as of February 2018. Please contact us for details before heading out.

Let's get to know MatsuuraTakeshiro, who is famous in Hokkaido, and pass on his stories.

Please see the following website for information about MatsuuraTakeshiro 's birthplace, MatsusakaCity.
Historical stroll and gourmet trip in the castle town: Walk through Matsusaka