さて南方熊楠の自邸を６回ほどのブログ記事で見て来たのですが、そういう南方が日本史のスポットライトを浴びたのは、生物学に造詣を深められていた昭和天皇が、南方熊楠の学問追求を知って、紀州を訪れてかれから直接「進講」を受けられたいと希望されたこと。
　昭和４年６月１日と日付のある「大阪毎日新聞」紙面では、天皇の紀州行幸は640年ぶりという見出しを振って１面記事として報道している。生物学者としての調査活動として田辺湾の神島に上陸され実地調査をされたのに対して、南方は神島でお迎えして参観ポイントを整理してご説明した後、天皇の「御座船」であった戦艦長門上で、ご進講を行った。
　前記したけれど、南方熊楠はこれ以前に政府が進めていた全国の神社の統廃合に対して明確に反対をとなえて活動を行っていた。昭和天皇のこの行動は、皇国史観による行きすぎた行政対応を緩和させる方向に働いていったとされている。行政府の対応に対して明確にそれに異を唱えた人物に対して、その意見をリスペクトし進講を受けられた天皇の行動には興味を惹かれる。
　
　平安期、多くの天皇退位後の上皇たちは「熊野詣」を繰り返していた。皇位としての行動制限から自由になった上皇たちは、はるか遠隔の地である熊野三山などを踏破してきていた。実際に「熊野古道」などを歩いてみれば、上皇たち自身も、みずから歩き巡っただろうことが想像される。なにかに突き動かされるかのようなそうした心理が民衆にも伝わって、蟻のようにという枕詞まで冠せられて、熊野詣は日本民族全般に及んでいった。空海や一遍上人など、多くの宗教者たちもこの紀州にリスペクトし、学ぶようになる。空海などは紀州の一帯・高野に根本道場の地を定め、みずからも「入定」している。
　それぞれの行動にはある一貫性があって、南紀の自然風土の特異性に対しての特別な思いがそこに投影されているのだろうと思われる。たしかにわたし自身も、そういった心理は自らも体験することで、いわば体感的に納得させられている。火山列島地形が黒潮によって永い時間、強く影響されてきた自然観に、同じ日本人として共感を強く持つのだ。ネイティブ北海道人としての自分としても、この多くの人びとの行動について、深い納得と共感を持つ。
　昭和天皇の行動には、そういった「民族性」が強く感じられる。そしてこの行動は、南方熊楠の人生とその事跡にとって、決定的なことがらになっていった。

English version⬇

The Emperor Showa’s Landing on Kamijima and his Lecture on the Battleship Nagato Minakata Kumagusu-7
Nanki-Kumano welcomed the Emperor for the first time in 640 years since the Heian period. In the age when a battleship was considered as a throne ship, the Emperor showed his respect to Minakata Kumagusu as a biologist. …

　We have seen Minakata Kumagusu’s residence in about 6 blog posts, but what brought Minakata into the spotlight of Japanese history was that Emperor Showa, who was deepening his knowledge of biology, was aware of Minakata Kumagusu’s academic pursuits and wished to visit Kishu to receive a “lecture” directly from him.
　The Osaka Mainichi Shimbun, dated June 1, 1929, carried a front-page article with the headline, “The Emperor’s first visit to Kishu in 640 years. While the emperor landed on Kamijima Island in Tanabe Bay to conduct a field survey as a biologist, Minakata welcomed him on Kamijima Island, explained the points of interest, and then gave a lecture on board the battleship Nagato, the emperor’s “throne ship”.
　As mentioned above, Minakata Kumagusu had been clearly opposed to the consolidation of shrines in Japan, which had been promoted by the government. It is said that this action of the Showa Emperor worked in the direction of mitigating the excessive administrative response based on the imperialist view of history. It is interesting to note that the Emperor respected the opinions of those who clearly disagreed with the executive branch’s response and accepted their lectures.
　During the Heian period, many emperors after their abdication repeatedly made pilgrimages to Kumano. Freed from the restrictions of the imperial throne, these emperors had traversed the Kumano Sanzan (three mountains of Kumano) and other far-flung places. In fact, if one actually walks along the “Kumano Kodo,” one can imagine that the emperors themselves must have walked the route themselves. The people of Kumano were also moved by such a spirit, and the pilgrimage to Kumano, which was even referred to as “like ants,” spread throughout the Japanese people. Many religious figures, such as Kukai and Ippen Shonin, came to respect and learn from Kishu. Kukai, for example, established his fundamental dojo in Koya, an area in Kishu, and himself “entered the Buddhist monastery” there.
　There is a certain consistency in the actions of each of them, and it seems to me that their special feelings toward the uniqueness of the natural climate of Nanki are reflected in their actions. Indeed, I myself have experienced this kind of mentality myself, and I am convinced of it from first-hand experience. As a Japanese, I strongly sympathize with the view of nature that has been strongly influenced by the Kuroshio Current for a long time on the volcanic island chain. As a native Hokkaidoian, I also have a deep understanding and sympathy for the actions of many of these people.
　In the actions of Emperor Showa, I strongly feel such “ethnicity. And this action became a decisive factor in the life and legacy of Minakata Kumagusu.

Posted on 11月 4th, 2024 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 歴史探訪 | No Comments »

　写真は、南方熊楠邸のなかの「書斎」周辺の様子。わたしが南紀に強く惹かれるようになったのは、記紀伝承での神武東征譚にどのような空間的な「蓋然性根拠」があるのだろうか、という探究心からでした。そこから難波から迂回して神武帝の一統がふたたび上陸したとされる楯ヶ崎を実際に足で踏破してみた。
　まさか、そういう神話的なポイントが「観光地化」されていないとは夢にも思わず、ほんの５−６台程度の駐車場から、実際に楯が海にそそり立っているような楯ヶ崎の柱状節理地形を見て驚かされた。
　太古の巨大火山噴火によるカルデラ地形が太平洋の黒潮による浸食を受け続けた南紀の風土地形を見て、北海道の層雲峡と同等以上の「自然崇拝」を呼ぶに違いない荒々しさに心を奪われてしまったのです。そういった荒々しい地形と皇統神話が歴年にわたる天皇家による平安期の「熊野参詣」を生起させていった事情も、ひとつの日本史の「地学的」断面として納得感が湧き上がっていった。北海道ネイティブ人間からすると、北海道の大自然とも通底するような「自然」パワーを感じさせられていた。
　そこにはアマテラス、イザナミなどの神話に蓋然性を与えるようなパワーがあった。独特の熊野信仰の基底にそういった部分を色濃く感じさせられたのですね。そういった「自然崇拝」こそが日本の「国生み」譚とも結びついた側面を見せられた次第。
　今回参観している南方熊楠さんの自邸、その経歴のなかで特筆すべきは、昭和天皇が深くかれの自然探求に共鳴されて、戦艦・長門に乗船されてこの地におもむき、南方熊楠はこの南紀の植生について「ご進講」したということ。昭和帝はながく植物研究されていたことで知られていますが、その基礎には南方熊楠の研究へのリスペクトがあったのだと思います。さらに南方熊楠は、明治期の政府が全国の神社を統廃合しようとしたのに対して、怖れることなく反対の声を上げた人物としても知られる。かれは全国の神社空間が日本の国土の自然保全にとっていかに重要な空間であるかを怖れることなく言挙げした。昭和帝はそういった流れを踏まえてなお、南方熊楠にリスペクトされていた事実。
　このような近現代史のひとつの大きな側面のなかで南紀の風土が、なにがしか大きな背景を構成していることに気付かされたのです。

　日本の中央政権はこのような南紀・熊野の自然からその山並みを越えた大和平野から始原する。そしてアマテラスのような自然崇拝、さらに興味深いスサノオという人物譚を始原神話として持っている。そういった背景からやはり南紀の風土性についてより深く知りたくなった。旅は永く続きそうです（笑）。　

English version⬇

Amaterasu “Nature Worship” and the Climate of Nanki, Kumagusu Minakata Residence-5
The huge caldera topography of Nanki-Kumano has an important geological aspect in the creation tale of this country. The Kuroshio Current has been crashing wildly into this landform. …

　The photo shows the area around the “study” in the residence of Minakata Kumagusu. I became strongly attracted to the Nanki region because of my curiosity about what kind of spatial “probability basis” there was for the tale of the Jimmu expedition in the Chronicles of the Chronicles. From there, I detoured from Namba and actually stepped on foot to Tategasaki, where the line of the Emperor Jinmu is said to have landed once again.
　I had never dreamed that such a mythical point had not been “turned into a tourist spot,” and was surprised to see the columnar-jointed topography of Tategasaki from a parking lot with only five or six cars, where a shield actually seems to tower over the sea.
　Seeing the endemic topography of Nanki, where the caldera topography caused by a huge volcanic eruption in ancient times has been continuously eroded by the Kuroshio Current of the Pacific Ocean, I was fascinated by the ruggedness that must call for “nature worship” equal to or greater than that of Sounkyo in Hokkaido. The fact that such rugged terrain and the myth of the imperial lineage gave rise to the “Kumano Pilgrimage” by the emperors over the years during the Heian period (794-1185) also made sense to me as a “geological” cross section of Japanese history. As a native of Hokkaido, I was made to feel the power of “nature” that is commonly associated with the great nature of Hokkaido.
　There was a power that gave probability to the myths of Amaterasu and Izanami. You were made to feel such aspects strongly at the base of the unique Kumano faith. Such “nature worship” is also connected to the Japanese tale of the “birth of the nation”.
　It should be noted that Emperor Showa deeply sympathized with Minakata Kumagusu’s nature study, and he boarded the battleship Nagato to visit this place, where Minakata Kumagusu gave him a lecture on the vegetation of this Nanki area. The Showa Emperor is known to have been a botanical researcher for a long time, and I believe that his respect for the research of Minakata Kumagusu was the foundation of his research. Furthermore, Minakata Kumagusu is also known as a person who voiced his opposition to the Meiji government’s attempt to consolidate shrines throughout Japan, without fear. He was unafraid to speak out about the importance of shrine spaces throughout Japan for the preservation of the country’s natural environment. The Showa Emperor still respected Minakata Kumagusu in light of this trend.
　I realized that the climate of Nanki constitutes a significant background in one of the major aspects of modern and contemporary history.

　The central government of Japan originated in the Yamato Plain beyond the mountain range of Nanki-Kumano. It also has a nature worshiper like Amaterasu and an interesting tale of Susanoo as its origin myth. Against this background, I wanted to know more about the Nanki region. It seems that my journey will continue for a long time (laugh).　

Posted on 11月 2nd, 2024 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 住宅マーケティング, 歴史探訪 | No Comments »

　南方熊楠さんの自邸探訪その２であります。こちらの敷地はおおむね400坪ほどで、江戸期に紀州藩の「支藩」であった安藤氏の城下町というのが街区の由来。旧邸で質問にお答えしていただいた女性からの伝聞では、南方家というのは、この安藤氏の家臣の家系であって熊楠氏の父親は明治以降、金融業で財を成したのだという。そういった経済的背景で次男であった熊楠氏は、夏目漱石や正岡子規などと同時期に東大の予備門で学び、そこから海外遊学にまで旅立って行ったとのこと。明治という時代の雰囲気、その空気感がかれの学業・探究に大きな基礎を形成していたことがわかる。
　その家系環境の中で、南方家の財産分与のようなカタチでこの400坪の屋敷地は熊楠氏にわたった。さすがに郷土を代表する人物について地域を挙げての調査活動がされていて、上のような「当時の街区地図」までもが公開されていた。わたし的にはそういった地道な調査活動に驚かされた。全国のこうした住宅探訪は、わたしの一種の「ライフワーク」化してきているけれど、ここまでの詳細ぶりははじめて。
　その街区地図、おおむね1916年のこの南方熊楠邸の建設当時、このような環境で日々を暮らしていたということがリアリティを持って伝わってくる。地図に赤い矢印を付けたので、位置関係がお分かりいただけるでしょう。今日の住宅建設では当然のこととして「立地環境調査」が自明のように行われるけれど、こうした「古民家」探訪での手掛かりは非常に貴重。街区図には「めし屋」「辻の餅」「木村パン」といった店舗の所在までが推定できる記述に出会う。さらに先日の訪問では、レンタカーのカーナビ案内で白浜方面からの道で左折した交差点の名前が「銀座」だった。紀伊半島の海上交通の要衝として金融業というものの存在感が地名にまで残っているのだろう。父親、南方家の状況もそうした街並みの様子からも伺えてくる気がした。南方さんの家からほんの3-400mほどの距離。
　昨日のブログでは南方さんの毎日の食事生活・台所、流しの場もわかった様子を書いたけれど、こうした周辺街区の詳細も見えてくると、より具体的な生活実相がみえてくる。世界的な植物学者・科学者を生んだ地域の誇らしさが感じられて、自然と好感を持たされる。
　さらに南方さんの家の5-6軒南側には「原秀治郎・原豊次郎」というお宅の所在も確認できた。実はわたし自身の家系伝承で、この「紀州の原家」というのはひとつのミッシングリンクなので、強く引き込まれてしまっていた。ひとつの探訪が、またさらに古層の探究のきっかけになる。まことに醍醐味（笑）。あ、この件は今回の南方熊楠さん探訪から激しく逸脱するので、横道探訪はいたしません（キッパリ）。

English version⬇

[108 years ago, in the early Taisho era, Nanki-Tanabe City, Nanki-Tanabe City, and the present
A “street” map of the time when Kumagusu Minakata lived in this city has been researched and published. The sincerity of the people of the entire community is amazingly informative. ・・・・.

　This is the second visit to Minakata Kumagusu’s own residence. The site of this residence is about 400 tsubos (about 1,000 square meters), and the name of the town was derived from the castle town of the Ando clan, which was a “branch clan” of the Kishu clan in the Edo period. According to the legend of the woman who answered our questions at the old residence, the Minakata family was a family of vassals of the Ando clan, and Kumagusu’s father made a fortune in the financial business after the Meiji era. With such economic background, Kumagusu, the second son, studied at the Tokyo University Preparatory School at the same time as Soseki Natsume, Shiki Masaoka, and others, and even went abroad to study. It is clear that the atmosphere of the Meiji era formed a great foundation for Kumagusu’s academic studies and research.
　In this family environment, the property was given to Mr. Kumagusu as if it was a share of the Minakata family property. As one would expect, the whole community was involved in the research activities on the local representative of the local people, and even a “street map of the time” like the one above was published. I was surprised by such a steady research activity. Although this kind of house-hunting has become a kind of “lifework” for me, this is the first time I have seen such a detailed map of the area.
　The map of the area, which shows the conditions of the Minakata Kumagusu residence at the time of its construction in 1916, conveys the reality of daily life in such an environment. I have added red arrows on the map so you can see the location. Although “location and environment surveys” are conducted as a matter of course in today’s housing construction, the clues provided by such “old minka” explorations are extremely valuable. On the street map, we found descriptions of stores such as “Meshiya,” “Tsuji-no-mochi,” and “Kimura Bakery,” which we could even guess where they were located. Furthermore, on a recent visit, the name of the intersection where I turned left on the road from Shirahama, guided by a rental car, was “Ginza. The presence of the financial industry as a key point of maritime transportation in the Kii Peninsula is probably preserved in the name of the place. I felt that the situation of the father and the Minakata family could also be heard from the appearance of the streets. It is only 3-400 meters away from Minakata-san’s house.
　In yesterday’s blog, I wrote about how I could understand Minakata-san’s daily meals, kitchen, and sink area, but when I could see the details of the surrounding area, I could get a more concrete picture of his daily life. The pride of the area that gave birth to a world-renowned botanist and scientist can be felt, and this naturally makes one feel good about the area.
　Furthermore, five or six houses to the south of Mr. Minakata’s house, I was able to confirm the location of a house called “Hara Shujiro and Hara Toyojiro. In fact, the Hara family in Kishu is a missing link in my own family history, and I was strongly drawn to it. One visit to the family’s house triggers further exploration of the ancient layers of the family. It is truly a real pleasure (laughs). Oh, I will not go on a side trip, because this matter deviates from this exploration of Mr. Kumagusu Minakata.

Posted on 10月 31st, 2024 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 住宅マーケティング, 歴史探訪 | No Comments »

　きのうのブログテーマ「霊柩車遭遇」ですが、わたし自身は「いい方」解釈派だったのですが、昨夕関西から帰還したのですが、なぜか搭乗機が「機体トラブル」で後発便よりも新千歳空港到着が遅れて、約２時間の遅延の事態に。こういうトラブル経験はしばらくなかったので、どうもあの霊柩車遭遇との関連を疑わざるを得ませんでした（笑）。
　まぁしかし、そういうトラブルでも遅れたとは言え、安全を確保してなんとか運航してくれたので、災い転じて安寧も得られたと考えられるので、やはり「禍福はあざなえる縄のごとし」でしょうか。
　写真は、播州姫路の縁の英賀神社境内のとある箇所に鎮座している、石碑。読みにくいと思いますが、司馬遼太郎さんがその自筆筆跡を残したものです。とくに「司」の字の崩しぶり、また「太郎」の簡略ぶりにはファンとしては完全にノックアウトされる思い（笑）。いかにもかれの家系故地での探訪時に求められて気軽に書いた自署という雰囲気。こういった部分に、作家の「肉声」が、言霊のように宿っているように思えてならず、こちらに行く度に参観させてもらっている。

　機縁自体は、かれ司馬遼太郎さんが書いた「播磨灘物語」。歴史の掘り起こし型、独自のジャーナリズムとも思える歴史作品を書き続けたかれの、もっともその「肉声」に近い作品だった。かれの家系はこの英賀城跡地に建ち続けている神社と深く関わっている。その地縁と、わたし自身の家系の伝承とが、クロスしている。
　司馬遼太郎さん自身は、血縁などというものは一種の迷信に近い、というようなコトバを残しているけれど、しかし残された「縁のある」人間としては、それも含めて感受せざるを得ない。
　その土地の雰囲気、その地で暮らした人びとの思いとか息づかいなどを、空気感として感受する機会として全国の神社を巡ることは多いけれど、この英賀神社とこの石碑には特別の思いがしている。
　わたしは北海道人だけれど、もっと以前はこういった空気感のなかで生き続けてきた人びとの「末裔」であるということも伝わってきて、そこでの時間の痕跡が、なつかしさとなって反応してくるようになる。そうなんです、何回行っても、そのたびに別の想念、あたらしい気付きがそこここに発見させられる。また、そこでの時間経過も気付かされることも多い。
　人間の形而上世界というものには、科学で捉えきれないなにごとかはあるのだろうと思っていますが、そういう「味わい」にだんだん「ハマって」来ているのかも知れません（笑）。

English version⬇

Himeji Eiga in “A Connection” with Mr. Ryotaro Shiba
There must be such a thing as dialogue with the dead. Stones may be the final “dwelling place” of the human soul. I am healed by its interest. The stone is a place where the soul of a person is healed.

　I myself was of the “good” interpretation of the theme of yesterday’s blog, “Hearse Encounter,” but when I returned from Kansai last evening, for some reason, the plane I was boarding had an “aircraft trouble” and arrived at New Chitose Airport later than the later flight, resulting in a delay of about two hours. I had not experienced this kind of trouble for a while, so I had to suspect that it was related to the hearse encounter (laugh).
　Well, however, even though the flight was delayed due to such a trouble, it managed to operate safely, so I guess we were able to turn our misfortune to our advantage and enjoy peace of mind.
　The photo is a stone monument that sits in a certain spot in the precincts of Eiga Shrine, which is located on the edge of Banshu-Himeji. It may be difficult to read, but it is the handwriting of Ryotaro Shiba. As a fan of Ryotaro Shiba, I was completely knocked out by the character “Tsukasa” in “Toku” and the simplicity of “Taro” (laugh). It gives the impression that this was a casual autograph written at the request of the writer during a visit to the place where his family had passed away. I feel as if the writer’s “voice” resides in these parts of the book, like the spirit of his words, and I visit the book every time I come here.

　The occasion itself was “Harimanada Monogatari” written by Ryotaro Shiba, the author of “Harimanada Monogatari” (The Tale of Harimanada). It was the work that was closest to the “voice” of Ryotaro Shiba, who continued to write historical works that could be considered as journalism in its own right, in the style of historical excavation. His family is deeply connected with the shrine that continues to stand on the site of Eiga Castle. This connection and my own family traditions are crossed.
　Ryotaro Shiba himself said that blood relations are a kind of superstition, but as a person with a “connection” to a place, I cannot help but be aware of this as well.
　I often visit shrines throughout Japan as an opportunity to get a sense of the atmosphere of the land and the thoughts and feelings of the people who lived there, but this Eiga Shrine and this stone monument have a special place in my heart.
　Although I am from Hokkaido, I can feel that I am a “descendant” of people who lived in this atmosphere long ago, and the traces of the time I spent there make me nostalgic and responsive. Yes, no matter how many times you visit, each time you will discover new thoughts and new insights here and there. I am also often reminded of the passage of time there.
　I believe that there is something in the human metaphysical world that cannot be captured by science, and perhaps I am gradually becoming “addicted” to this kind of “taste” (laughs).

Posted on 10月 29th, 2024 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 日本社会・文化研究, 歴史探訪 | No Comments »

　今回関西方面に来たかった目的のひとつが、こちらの南方熊楠氏の記念館や自邸などの探訪。大阪府内の根拠地としている地・堺市からいつも使っているレンタカーで一路、南紀白浜に向けて移動。
　わたしは仕事生活は一段落したわけですが、相変わらず「住宅探訪」は習い性になっていて、いまは全国に残っている人物とその住環境、みたいなテーマで行脚を続けているのです。住宅雑誌を創刊して、現実に建っている住宅について、主にその「作り手」主体の取材をしてきたのですが、どうしてもそうすると「個人情報」の制約が強くなってきて、住まいの基本要素である「人間の本然の実現」みたいな部分に十分には突っ込んでいけない部分を感じてきていた。
　もちろん多くのユーザーにとっては「家を建てる、持つ」というモチベーションが人生のひとつの究極的願望であるので、その目線から「作り手選び」という市場性が有り、それはまた作り手の「表現」でもあるので、そういうメディアは強い存在価値があり続けると思っています。
　わたしの場合には、そのNEXTとしてより人間性に深く絡むような部分を「深掘り」してみたい、という願望なワケですね。そうすると「個人情報」の制約からかなり自由な、昔人・有名人とかの個性の刷り込まれた住宅というのが、素材を提供してくれる。そして住情報に接してきての一定の知見から、それらをすこし違った視点から見ることができるように思われるのです。興味が非常に深くなるというか。
　今回は日本史の中でも非常に特異な「知の巨人」と言われ続けている「南方熊楠」に興味が盛り上がってきた次第。こういった個人的取材の流れの中で日本民俗学の祖とされる柳田國男についてはすっかり深入りして、ほぼその「空間世界」体験を得たのですが、柳田とも深い交流を持って南紀に住まい続けたかれのことを取材したいと強く思った次第です。
　写真は田辺市内に残っている自邸。隣接して「顕彰館」もあります。

　そしてこちらが公開されていた自邸の間取り。塀から顔を出している「本屋」には２階が一部にあるようですが、全体としては平屋で「分棟」形式を取っている。用途目的別に小建築が有機的に絡み合って相互連携しているカタチ。今日のような敷地面積の極小化が進展する以前の、いわば日本的な住伝統のひとつのカタチだと思います。古民家などでもこういった形式はよく見られる。
　そして植物学に深い知を集中させていったかれらしく、植生についても住空間と「呼応」させていると感じられる分布ぶり。ヤブ蚊に悩まされつつ、いっとき南方さんの暮らしぶり、生き方との「対話」体験を過ごさせていただきました。感謝。

English version⬇

Exploring “Kumagusu Minakata” in Shirahama, Nanki Prefecture, Japan
A person’s living space is deeply engraved with his/her humanity. Conversely, the natural part of a person’s desire to have a house is clearly and deeply felt. The house

　One of the purposes of my visit to the Kansai region this time was to explore the Minakata Kumagusu Memorial Museum and his own residence. From Sakai City, where I am based in Osaka Prefecture, I headed for Nanki-Shirahama in a rented car, which I always use.
　My work life has come to an end, but I am still in the habit of “house-hunting,” and I am continuing to make my rounds with themes such as the people and their living environments that remain throughout the country. Since the launch of the housing magazine, I have mainly focused on the “makers” of the houses that have actually been built, but I have felt that I could not go into the basic elements of a house, such as the “realization of human nature,” because of the restrictions on “personal information” that I had to deal with.
　Of course, for many users, the motivation to “build or own a house” is one of the ultimate aspirations in life, so there is a marketability in “selecting a builder” from that perspective, which is also an “expression” of the builder, and I believe such media will continue to have strong existence value.
　In my case, it is my desire to “dig deeper” into the next part of the media, which is more deeply related to human nature. In this case, houses that are free from the restrictions of “personal information” and that have been imprinted with the personalities of people from the past, famous people, and so on, provide me with materials. And from the certain knowledge I have gained from the housing information, I think I can see them from a different perspective. It is very interesting.
　This time, my interest in Kumagusu Minakata, who has been called a “giant of knowledge,” a very unique figure in the history of Japan, was aroused. In the course of these personal interviews, I became deeply interested in Kunio Yanagida, who is considered the founder of Japanese folklore, and I almost had a “spatial world” experience of him, but I strongly felt that I would like to report on him, who lived in Nanki and had deep interactions with Yanagida.
　The photo shows his own residence still standing in Tanabe City. There is also an “Honor Hall” adjacent to it.

　And here is the floor plan of his own residence, which was open to the public. The “bookstore” that peeks out from the wall seems to have a second floor in part, but the entire house is a one-story building in a “detached building” style. The small buildings are organically intertwined and interconnected according to the purpose of use. I think this is one of the forms of Japanese housing traditions that existed before the development of today’s extremely small lot sizes. This type of building is often seen in old private houses.
　As he concentrated his knowledge on botany, the distribution of vegetation also seems to “correspond” to the living space. While being bothered by mosquitoes, I was able to spend some time “conversing” with Minakata-san’s lifestyle and way of life. Thank you very much.

Posted on 10月 27th, 2024 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 住宅取材＆ウラ話, 日本社会・文化研究 | No Comments »