「明治帝の北海道開拓の詔勅を背負ってもたらした藩士・島義勇はいかがでござったか？」
　「それはそれはみごとでしたよ。毎日北海道神宮社殿前に置かれた像に拝礼していますよ」
　「・・・でござるか。みごととはかたじけない」
　・・・という会話妄想に浸っていましたが、どうも写真は照れくさくての破顔一笑ぶり。失礼。はじめて訪れた佐賀県の県庁所在都市、佐賀市の中心にある佐賀城内にて、であります。写真が残されているということで明治期の最先端藩・肥前鍋島藩のお殿様・10代藩主の鍋島直正（なべしま なおまさ）公の写真とのツーショットをご案内の方に撮影していただいた。
　梅雨まっ盛りの九州の旅路と言うことで、ぐしょ濡れを覚悟していたのですが、案に相違して晴天ぶりですっかり日焼けしたにやけ顔で、申し訳ありません。ブログ記述人であります。北海道人は本来色白系なので日焼けするとご覧のような「真っ赤っか」ぶりであります（泣）。
　案内者の地元の方とは「いや、薩摩の連中は奸佞にて・・・」と悪口放言大会（笑）。「おかげで島義勇は明治帝の詔勅を背負って渡道し道都・札幌開拓の礎となったにもかかわらず、最後は政府への反乱者として征伐されてしまった経緯。
　そういう歴史の無念への思いを鎮魂するような訪問意図。そんな話題を案内の方と話していたら、さすがに地元人としてのプライドを刺激されてしまったようで、すっかり上機嫌に対応していただいて、最後にはこういう写真撮影の申し出を受けてしまった次第です。
　まことにお恥ずかしい写真でありますがお許し願いたい。
　さて、梅雨時なのに晴れ続きだったのですが、本日はさすがにこの時期本来の雨空。連日の野外露天行脚を少しはペースダウンしたいと思います。さすがに日焼け過ぎ。
　というところに実は、先般の広島県電撃往復からの家系調査に大きな進展の知らせ反応を受けた。まことにありがたい情報に感謝しておりました。ということで本日は早めにホテルに着陣して、想を練って参りたいと思います。一転して「雨あめ降れ降れ」。関係各所にこの情報を共有したい。
　あ、そういえばこのあと薩摩鹿児島にも行く予定だった・・・。さてさて。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇
　
[Having a private chat (or rather, a casual chat) with the Lord of the Nabeshima Domain inside Saga Castle (lol)]
The Hizen Nabeshima Domain played a major role in the Meiji Restoration and the development of Hokkaido. Grateful for their kindness, I innocently snapped a photo with the Lord. I can’t help but smile—it’s a bit embarrassing…

　“What did you think of Shimazu Yoshiyuki, the samurai who carried the Meiji Emperor’s imperial edict on the development of Hokkaido?”
“He was truly magnificent. I pay my respects every day to the statue placed in front of the Hokkaido Jingu Shrine.”
“…Is that so? I am humbled by your praise.”
…I was lost in this imaginary conversation, but looking at the photo, I realize I was just grinning shyly. My apologies. This was taken inside Saga Castle, located in the center of Saga City—the prefectural capital of Saga Prefecture, which I was visiting for the first time. I was told that a photograph of Lord Naomasa Nabeshima, the 10th lord of the Hizen Nabeshima Domain—one of the most progressive domains of the Meiji era—still existed, so the person who guided me took this photo of me posing alongside it.
　Since this was a trip to Kyushu in the middle of the rainy season, I was prepared to get soaked, but contrary to expectations, the weather was sunny, and I ended up with a sunburned, grinning face—my apologies. I’m the blogger here. People from Hokkaido tend to have fair skin, so when we get sunburned, we turn “bright red” like you see here (sob).
　My local guide and I had a good old time trading insults, saying things like, “Man, those Satsuma folks were such schemers…” (laughs). We talked about how, despite Shima Yoshiyuki crossing to Hokkaido bearing the Meiji Emperor’s imperial edict and laying the foundation for the development of Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, he was ultimately crushed as a rebel against the government.
The purpose of my visit was to pay my respects and soothe the lingering regret of that historical injustice. As I was discussing this topic with my guide, it seems my remarks really struck a nerve—or perhaps I touched on a point of local pride—because he became quite cheerful and accommodating, and in the end, he even agreed to this photo op.
It’s a truly embarrassing photo, but I hope you’ll forgive me.
Now, even though it’s the rainy season, we’ve had nothing but sunny days, but today, as expected, we have the typical rainy skies of this time of year. I think I’ll slow down the pace of my daily outdoor excursions a bit. I’ve definitely gotten too much sun.
　Just as I was thinking that, I actually received news of a major breakthrough in the family history research I’d been conducting following my recent whirlwind round trip to Hiroshima. I was truly grateful for this valuable information. So, I plan to check into the hotel early today and reflect on my thoughts. Suddenly, I’m thinking, “Rain, rain, please fall.” I want to share this information with all relevant parties.
Well then…

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.　
　

Posted on 5月 27th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

　さて今回の旅路は北海道と九州の人間の「結縁」での孫の人生通過儀礼が主目的。
　それに沿って孫にとっての人生「儀式」機会をともに過ごさせてもらった。戦後生まれの北海道人としては、まったく体験していなかったことを「初体験」。しかも男子の縁者として男性「最高齢者」ということで、お食い初め儀式の〝養い親〟という役目も務めておりました。
　事前にWEBで以下の「作法」が縁者から示され、その役目を果たしていた次第。以下概要。
　〜■お食い初め儀式のやり方　赤ちゃんと同姓の最年長者が果たす。男子なら祖父が膝に抱いて食べさせる真似をすることが多い。「飯椀→汁物→飯椀→焼き物」の順に食べ物を口元へ持っていき食べる真似をさせる。一般的な意味としては赤ちゃんを育ててくれる親という意味の言葉で伝統的な儀式の場では「長寿にあやかる」という大切な願いが込められた役割を指す。
　●「歯固めの儀」　小石を用意しその小石を赤ちゃんにかませ「歯が丈夫になりますように」と祈願する。この小石は半紙に包み臍の緒と一緒に保存する。〜〜
　・・・ということだそうです。
　伝統的価値観からは比較的自由で、インターナショナルな価値観を受け入れ続けてきた北海道人には興味深く、いかにも「伝統的な人生儀礼」という気分でおりました。こういう通過儀礼が、北海道と九州人の結縁としてはふさわしいとも思っておりました。ニコニコと無事役目を完遂。孫は箸を口元に持っていくと、なんだかわからないままごく自然に「咥えよう」と反応（笑）。
　この儀礼前には「水天宮総本宮」を無事の成長祈願のために参詣。源平の壇ノ浦で崩壊した平家の一位の局が、安徳天皇の御霊を慰めるために筑後川のほとりに祀ったのが始原とされる。
　久留米のひとにとってこの水天宮は全国に広がる水天宮信仰の発祥地という強い思いがある。日曜日なので、たくさんの参詣者で、本殿内でありがたく神主さんの「お祝い」を受けさせていただいていました。クライマックスではまるで「瀧の水音」のような神楽鈴からの妙なる美音を浴びさせていただいていた。
　〝養い親〟として神妙に、しかし内心では合理的北海道人の伝統的日本文化体験として、目が「醒まささる」思いで、たのしく過ごさせていただいた。キョトンとしつつもときどき笑顔を見せて神妙にしていた孫ともども、こういったご縁に深く感謝。
　昨日の「怨念」的告白とは隔絶・超絶の神妙体験の１日（笑）。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[Visiting Suitengu Shrine: Experiencing the Role of “Foster Parents” at the Okuizome Ceremony]
As a Hokkaido native accustomed to an international mindset, experiencing this kind of traditional rite of passage was a real eye-opener. It was a solemn yet joyful occasion filled with gratitude…

　The main purpose of this trip was to participate in a rite of passage for my grandson, marking the “bond” between people from Hokkaido and Kyushu.
In line with that, I was able to share this life “ceremony” with my grandson. As a Hokkaido native born after the war, this was a “first-time experience” for me—something I had never experienced before. Moreover, as the “eldest male” among the relatives of the boy, I also served as the “godparent” for the Okuizome ceremony.
　The relatives had provided the following “protocol” online in advance, and I carried out my duties accordingly. Here is a summary.
　〜■How to Perform the Okuizome Ceremony: The oldest person sharing the baby’s surname performs this role. For a boy, the grandfather often holds the baby on his lap and mimics feeding him. The food is brought to the baby’s mouth in the order of “rice bowl → soup → rice bowl → grilled dish,” and the baby is made to mimic eating. In general terms, this refers to the parents who raise the baby, but in the context of this traditional ceremony, the role carries the important wish to “share in the baby’s longevity.”
　● “Teeth-Hardening Ceremony” (Hagatame no Gi): A small stone is prepared and placed in the baby’s mouth while praying, “May your teeth grow strong.” This stone is wrapped in rice paper and preserved along with the umbilical cord. ~~
　…That’s apparently how it goes.
　As someone from Hokkaido—a region relatively free from traditional values and one that has consistently embraced international perspectives—I found this fascinating and truly felt the atmosphere of a “traditional rite of passage.” I also thought that such a rite of passage was fitting as a bond between people from Hokkaido and Kyushu. I completed my role with a smile. When my grandchild brought the chopsticks to their mouth, they instinctively reacted as if to “bite down” on them, without really knowing what was happening (laughs).
　Before the ceremony, we visited the “Suiten-gu Sohon-gu” shrine to pray for his safe growth. It is said to have originated when Lady Ichii of the Heike clan, whose family was defeated at the Battle of Dan-no-ura between the Genji and Heike clans, enshrined Emperor Antoku’s spirit on the banks of the Chikugo River to console him.
For the people of Kurume, this Suiten-gu holds a strong significance as the birthplace of the Suiten-gu faith that has spread throughout the country. Since it was Sunday, the shrine was crowded with worshippers, and we were grateful to receive the Shinto priest’s “blessings” inside the main hall. At the climax, we were treated to the wondrous, beautiful sound of the kagura bells, which sounded just like “the rush of a waterfall.”
As a “foster parent,” I behaved reverently, though inwardly, as a rational Hokkaido native experiencing traditional Japanese culture, I felt my eyes being “opened” and had a wonderful time. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, along with my grandchild, who looked a bit bewildered but occasionally smiled and remained solemn.
It was a day of profound spiritual experience, a world apart from yesterday’s “vengeful” confession (laughs).

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 5月 25th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

　まだまだ体力は満タン、元気であります（笑）。
　今回は孫の保護者「預け」役として九州に滞在する予定なのですが、いくつか、故地広島県でぜひ行きたい探訪先があり、カミさんの日程作成に従っての「いちばん近くにいられる福岡県・宗像」での滞在機会を捉えて、わたしひとりで弾丸往復ドライブ・約700kmを敢行いたしました。ちょっと過酷な日程なので、カミさんは別行動でゆったりしてもらった。
　故地での探索活動については「四百年間のいのちの履歴書」の本論部分に関わるので、また別途思索を深めたいと思いますが、この道中の１スポットとして、本州最西端・山口県の関門海峡側から「壇ノ浦」古戦場を見晴らせるポイントで一時休憩した様子であります。
　さすがに往復700kmとなると移動で運転している時間だけでも10時間程度。そのほかに故地でのあちこち探訪運転も加わるので、まぁ12-3時間はずっと運転。であるのに散歩ではない歩き行脚も約8,000歩。・・・高齢者ではありますが、なんとか冷静に日程をクリアできました。ありがたい。
　で、日本史上で関ヶ原と並ぶ「古戦場」壇ノ浦で帰路、元気を再生していた（笑）。
　壇ノ浦というと、なんとなく九州側から眺めるイメージが強かったのですが、長距離ドライブの間なので、「ここはどこ、わたしは誰？」状態で、しっかり確かめてはじめてこの画像が「本州側」からの眺望であることを再確認しておりました。疲労感MAX。
　しかし梅雨の晴れ間のダイナミックな雲の景観が愛でるような美感を見せてくれた。
　見知らぬ旅人同士、「あそこは何々で、ここはどうこう・・・」と会話を弾ませていた。こういうときお互い日本人の歴史意識には共通認識があるので、義経だ、安徳帝だと活発に意見交換（笑）。
　画角としては、右側が九州の北部海岸線・玄界灘方面で、左側が瀬戸内海方向。
　左側から攻めてきた義経・源氏方が潮のながれが開戦時には右から左に向かっていたのが、それが反転して左側からの流れに変わったタイミングを活かして戦勝した合戦ですね。それにしてもこの狭い海峡を見ていると、北海道と本州島のあいだの津軽海峡の荒々しさに思いが重なりますね。
　無事の旅路のいっとき、健康に感謝していたうれしい時間でした。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[A Quick Round Trip Between Munakata, Kyushu, and My Hometown in Hiroshima Prefecture / The Afterglow of Dan-no-Ura]
I’ve successfully completed a whirlwind round trip from Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture—the closest accommodation to Honshu on my Kyushu pilgrimage. The romance of the historic battlefields that have shaped Japanese history provided me with a moment of respite. …

　I’m still full of energy and in great shape (lol).
I’m currently in Kyushu to look after my grandchild, but since there were a few places I really wanted to visit in my hometown of Hiroshima Prefecture, I took advantage of a chance to stay in Munakata, Fukuoka—the closest location to my wife’s itinerary—and embarked on a solo round-trip drive of about 700 km. Since it was a bit of a grueling schedule, I let my wife take it easy and do her own thing.
　My explorations in my hometown are related to the main body of my book *A 400-Year History of Life*, so I’d like to delve deeper into those thoughts separately. But as one stop along the way, I took a brief break at a viewpoint overlooking the historic battlefield of Dan-no-Ura from the Kanmon Strait side in Yamaguchi Prefecture—the westernmost point of Honshu.
　As you might expect, a 700 km round trip means about 10 hours of driving alone. Add in all the driving around my hometown exploring various spots, and I was behind the wheel for a solid 12 to 13 hours. And on top of that, I walked about 8,000 steps—not just a casual stroll, but a proper pilgrimage. …I may be getting on in years, but I managed to get through the schedule without losing my cool. I’m grateful for that.
　So, on the way back, I was recharging my energy at Dan-no-Ura—a historic battlefield that ranks alongside Sekigahara in Japanese history (lol).
When I think of Dan-no-Ura, I’d always had a strong image of viewing it from the Kyushu side, but since I was in the middle of a long drive, I was in a “Where am I? Who am I?” state of mind. It wasn’t until I checked carefully that I confirmed this image was indeed the view from the “Honshu side.” Exhaustion at its peak.
However, the dynamic cloudscapes during a break in the rainy season offered a view of such beauty that I found myself admiring it.
As fellow travelers who didn’t know each other, we struck up a lively conversation: “That spot over there is such-and-such, and this one is so-and-so…” At times like this, since we share a common understanding of Japanese history, we actively exchanged opinions about Yoshitsune and Emperor Antoku (lol).
　In terms of the frame, the right side faces the northern coastline of Kyushu and the Genkai Sea, while the left side faces the Seto Inland Sea.
This was the battle where Yoshitsune and the Minamoto forces, attacking from the left, took advantage of the moment when the tidal current—which had been flowing from right to left at the start of the battle—reversed direction to flow from left to right, securing their victory. That said, looking at this narrow strait, my thoughts turn to the roughness of the Tsugaru Strait between Hokkaido and Honshu.
It was a joyful moment during my safe journey, a time to give thanks for my good health.

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 5月 23rd, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

　昨日早朝から孫と息子夫婦を連れ立ってカミさんも含めて５人の旅路。息子の嫁さんの実家が九州・久留米なので、そちらの実家に孫初見参〜たっぷり「顔見せ」旅路であります。
　なんですが祖父母夫婦としては、送り届けた後は「どうぞごゆっくり、孫との溺愛を」という配慮から、まったく別行動で気ままなあちこちブラブラ歩きをと計画しております。しかし、「ブラブラ」が主目的なので、それこそ１日１万歩以上のブラブラが最大の願望。昨日はさっそく夕方〜夜には久留米の街探訪。
　夫婦とも日頃からこの程度の運動量を日課にしているので、昨日は新千歳空港から福岡空港のなかでも、活発に歩きまわっていました。しかしやはりそれだけでは足りないので、夕方４時頃にホテルに入った後、さっそく周辺の散歩〜よさげな夕食店舗探しをしておりました。
　若いときならそのままお酒が入るのでしょうが、カミさんは別としてわたしは、ほとんどお酒は「付き合い」だけなので、手づくり感のある食事店舗という目的意識で探した結果、ありついたのが上のセットメニューの和食店。「ごはん屋一の剣」さんの揚げ出し豆腐メインの定食。ちょっと軽すぎかなぁということで牛スキ焼き椀単品も追加していただいた（写真撮り忘れ）。
　しかし一番感動させられたのは、右側にひっそりとあったひと椀の「手づくり豆腐」。ひとくち味わって無言。直撃のうま味。高齢者なので、たくさん食べたくなる、という反応ではなく、その口中での「味わい」に完全に翻弄されて、ただただ無言化させられる瞬間を楽しませていただいた。
　で、その他の小皿類もそれぞれがみごとに「控えめなのにしっかりとした自己主張」を感じさせられた。
　あ、カミさんは別セットメニューでしたので、そちらもちょっと仲良く「和食」。
　街歩きで、「お、なんとなくこの店、いいかも」という瞬間的ひらめきで店選びする楽しみですが、こういうのんびり散歩がてらの時間は、なんとも至福のいっとき感があります（笑）。
　梅雨まっ盛りの九州ですが、ひとの縁につれられてのこういう旅路を、ゆっくり楽しみたいと思っています。あ、次の写真は散歩道で「火産霊神（ホムスピノカミ）」を祀っているという秋葉神社にあった、狛犬さん。ちょっと異様ないでたちでしたが、なぜか可愛いかった。う〜む、負ける・・・。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[A Trip to Leave the Grandkids with Family: A Leisurely Stroll Through the City / Kurume Edition]
A trip where we leave our grandchildren with our son’s wife’s parents so we can fully indulge in some much-needed relaxation. A carefree, spontaneous journey focused on health, with over 10,000 steps a day…

　Yesterday, starting early in the morning, the five of us—my wife, my son and his wife, and my grandchild—set off on a trip. Since my son’s wife is from Kurume in Kyushu, this was a trip to introduce our grandchild to her parents for the first time—a proper “meet-and-greet” visit.
However, as grandparents, we plan to go our own way and wander around at our leisure after dropping them off, out of consideration for them to “take your time and dote on your grandchild.” Since “wandering” is our main goal, our greatest wish is to clock over 10,000 steps a day. Yesterday, we immediately set out to explore the streets of Kurume from the evening into the night.
Since both my wife and I make it a daily habit to get this much exercise, we were already walking around energetically even during the flight from New Chitose Airport to Fukuoka Airport. But of course, that wasn’t enough, so after checking into the hotel around 4:00 p.m., we immediately went for a walk around the neighborhood to look for a nice place for dinner.
　When I was younger, I probably would have gone straight for drinks after that, but—aside from my wife—I rarely drink unless it’s for social occasions. So, with the specific goal of finding a restaurant serving home-style food, we ended up at the Japanese restaurant shown in the set menu above: “Gohan-ya Ichinokeni.” We ordered the set meal featuring deep-fried tofu. Thinking it might be a bit too light, we also added a bowl of beef sukiyaki (I forgot to take a photo of that).
　But what impressed me the most was the single bowl of “handmade tofu” sitting quietly on the right. I took a bite and fell silent. It was a direct hit of umami. As an older person, my reaction wasn’t one of wanting to eat a lot; instead, I was completely captivated by the “flavor” in my mouth, and I simply enjoyed that moment of being rendered speechless.
　As for the other small dishes, each one perfectly conveyed a sense of “subtlety with a firm sense of identity.”
Oh, my wife had a different set menu, so hers was also “Japanese cuisine.”
One of the joys of strolling through town is choosing a restaurant on a whim—that split-second flash of inspiration when you think, “Oh, this place might be nice.” These leisurely walks feel like moments of pure bliss (laughs).
　Kyushu is in the thick of the rainy season, but I intend to take my time and enjoy this journey, guided by the bonds of human connection. Oh, the next photo is of the komainu (guardian dogs) at Akiba Shrine, which I came across on my walk—a shrine said to enshrine “Homusupinokami” (the Fire-Creating Spirit). They had a slightly bizarre appearance, but for some reason, they were cute. Hmm, I’m no match for them…

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 5月 21st, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

　戦後の「農地解放」は日本社会に劇的な変化を与えた。それまでの地主と小作の関係が一気に瓦解し、農業人口の７割をも占めていた「小作」層が自作農に転換した。
　写真は戦前まで小作だった父が、その農地を繰り返し水害として襲ってきた「幌向川」と農地との境界に自分で造作したという「堤防」上の道路と農地。こういう労作も自弁だったわけだ。さらに農地解放関係書類を入れていたと思える封筒断片。（昭和）二十四年二月という日付が書きかれている。
　GHQ占領軍統治が世界史で例を見ない「成功例」になったのにはこの農地解放が深く与っている。
　1952年生まれのわたしは歴史教育で明治以降について「時間切れ」で授業が終わるケースが多かった。また、もっとも重要と思われる庶民「経済」についてわかりやすく教えることがなかった。
　江戸幕藩体制の崩壊、明治維新くらいまでが扱い領域。勢い戦国期の勇壮な信長、秀吉，家康、そして幕末維新期の西郷隆盛、坂本龍馬などの「大スター」がもて囃されるのが「日本歴史」という刷り込み教育が行われていると思う。NHK大河ドラマの２大人気時代。
　しかし本来は税の構造、庶民の暮らし目線での分析こそが歴史理解に必要不可欠なテーマ領域だろう。
　江戸期の人口構成では農民が８割以上を占めていて武家専制権力はその農業生産、主にコメ生産高を唯一の尺度にした社会経済構造を作っていた。
　恥ずかしながら、この時代の農民の「懐具合」についてわたしは不勉強だった。今回気付かされ、いろいろ調べてみて、そもそもが自分で農地を持っている農民でも、約半分ほどは専制権力に納税させられ、さらに幕府崩壊時点で農民の大部分だった「小作人」は、さらに地主に所得を削られる構造だったことを知った次第。領主・地主・小作人の取り分がおよそ3：3：4の比率が一般的だったという。
　そうした構造が明治政府によって改革されたが地主層は優遇されていた。戦前までの農家人口の７割は依然として「小作」であり、おおむね５割の収入が地主によって収奪される構造だった。その残りの中から生産手段の経費なども自己負担させられていたと。
　それが、農地解放で構造破壊されたのだ。ハンパない「大革命」。
　日本人の歴史にとってこの改革こそが「民主主義」を実感させるものだったことは疑いがない。
　これへの日本人総体の肯定的意識が基盤にあって、アメリカとの同盟関係に至る民意の道筋が確定したのだろう。こういう認識は、不勉強そのものだったわたしには初めて得られた次第。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[Postwar “Agricultural Land Reform” and the Major Turning Point in My Father’s Life]
To my shame, it was only through sorting through my father’s belongings that I learned about agricultural land reform for the first time. I am grateful. It really drives home just how drastically Japanese society changed and the magnitude of that upheaval. …

　The postwar “agricultural land reform” brought about dramatic changes in Japanese society. The traditional relationship between landlords and tenant farmers collapsed overnight, and the “tenant farmer” class—which had accounted for as much as 70 percent of the agricultural population—transformed into independent farmers.
The photograph shows the road and farmland on the “embankment” that my father, who had been a tenant farmer until before the war, built himself along the boundary between his farmland and the Horomuki River, which had repeatedly flooded the area. This labor-intensive work was, of course, funded entirely out of his own pocket. Also shown is a fragment of an envelope that likely contained documents related to the land reform. It bears the date February 1949.
This land reform played a significant role in making the GHQ occupation a “success story” without precedent in world history.
Born in 1952, I often found that history classes covering the Meiji era and beyond would end “out of time.” Furthermore, there was no clear teaching of the “economy” of the common people, which I consider the most important aspect.
The scope of instruction typically covered the collapse of the Edo shogunate and feudal system up to the Meiji Restoration. I believe we have been indoctrinated to view “Japanese history” as a narrative where the “superstars”—such as the heroic Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu of the Warring States period, and Saigo Takamori and Sakamoto Ryoma of the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration eras—are celebrated. These are the two most popular eras featured in NHK’s Taiga dramas.
However, an analysis of the tax structure and the lives of ordinary people is arguably the essential theme for understanding history.
In the Edo period, farmers made up over 80% of the population, and the feudal military elite had established a socio-economic structure where agricultural production—primarily rice yields—served as the sole measure of their authority.
I must admit, I was ignorant about the financial circumstances of farmers during this era. This realization prompted me to do some research, and I discovered that even among farmers who owned their own land, about half were forced to pay taxes to the autocratic regime. Furthermore, “tenant farmers”—who constituted the majority of the farming population at the time of the shogunate’s collapse—were subject to a system where their income was further eroded by landlords. It is said that the typical ratio of income distribution among feudal lords, landlords, and tenant farmers was roughly 3:3:4.
　Although the Meiji government reformed this structure, the landowner class continued to be favored. Even up until the pre-war period, 70% of the farming population remained “tenant farmers,” and roughly 50% of their income was extracted by landlords. Furthermore, they were forced to cover the costs of production out of the remaining portion.
It was the Land Reform that dismantled this structure. A truly monumental “revolution.”
　There is no doubt that, for the history of the Japanese people, this reform was what truly brought “democracy” to life.
It was likely this positive sentiment held by the Japanese people as a whole that laid the foundation and paved the way for public opinion to lead to the alliance with the United States. This realization was something I, having been so uninformed, was able to grasp for the very first time.

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.
　

Posted on 5月 19th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »