Ryōshin-ichi ~The Honesty Market~

   When you walk along a road or a path in the countryside, you may happen to see a shed-like set of shelves laden with fruits and vegetables etc. All the goods have price tags and there is a small box to put your money in. As there is no shop assistant, all you need do is deposit your money and take your goods.

What attracts you to “Ichi”

   We can see a variety of “Ichi” (markets) in Kochi. They have different names such as Nichiyō-Ichi (Sunday Market), Ryōshin-Ichi (Honesty Markets), Chokuhansho (Direct-Selling Markets), etc.

Exams to know about Ryoma

   “Sakamoto Ryoma Kentei” is an Internet certificate exam which was introduced by the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum in 2008. The museum wishes to use the exam to help young people who will become future contributors to Japanese society learn more about Ryoma, and to promote Ryoma to anyone who is interested.

Japan’s First Honeymoon

Monument of the couple
 in Shiobitashi

   After the Saccho-Domei alliance in 1866, Ryoma was attacked in Teradaya Inn and wounded. Encouraged by others, he decided to take a trip to relax and let his wounds heal. Along with his new wife Oryo, Ryoma and others including Takamori Saigo and Kosuke Yoshii (1828-1891) sailed from Osaka to Satsuma aboard the “Mikuni-maru”.

How popular is Ryoma?

Kochi Ryoma Airport

   What do John F. Kennedy, John Lennon and Leonardo da Vinci have in common?

Political state in Kochi during Ryoma’s life

Toyo Yoshida

   In the late and the end of Edo period when Ryoma lived, the centralized administrative framework of the Tokugawa Shogunate (Bakufu) began to collapse as it mismanaged domestic politics. It was bogged down with how to deal with foreign countries seeking for their diplomatic channel with Japan which was stuck to a policy of isolation. Meanwhile, some powerful local governments called Yuhan, including Satsuma and Choshu domains, got to meddle in the central government’s politics.

Ryoma’s Dappan – Secession from his Fief

Dappan route in Yusuhara Town

   During the Edo period, a youngman named John Manjiro (1827-1898) was shipwrecked and saved by an American whaling boat. Later, he would become the first Japanese to settle in America and return to Japan to work toward opening up Japan to foreign trade.

Outline of Ryoma Sakamoto

   Ryoma Sakamoto is a nationally popular hero who lived around the end of the Samurai period, and always ranks high in surveys that ask “who do you like the most among Japan’s historical figures?”

Whaling Culture

   Whaling is a controversial topic across the world. However, no matter what your opinion of this practice, it is undeniable that Kochi has a long history of catching and eating whales. I would like to take a quick look at this history to see how important whaling really is to Kochi’s cultural identity.

Pilgrimage Culture

   When living in Shikoku Island, you will occasionally happen to see people in white clothing walking along the road. They are called “O-henro-san”, Japanese pilgrims who visit the designated 88 temples scattered across the island.

Sake Culture of Kochi

   One of the stereotypes that other people have of Kochi locals is that they drink a lot of alcohol. Actually, national statistics show that Kochi is second per capita in the consumption of beer, and takes 3rd place for the number of liquor stores per 100 thousand population. A unique culture of alcohol has developed in Kochi, most uniquely manifested by the custom of “Henpai”.

Sameura Dam

Sameura Dam

   Sameura Dam is a multi-purpose dam stretching across Motoyama Town, Nagaoka-gun and Tosa Town, Tosa-gun. It was built in the upper reaches of the Yoshino River. It is managed by the Japan Water Agency and is used for water management, irrigation, industry and electricity generation.

Deep Sea Water

Brand Logo

   Salt water taken from deep in the sea, named “deep sea water,” is rich in minerals and remains cold throughout the year. It is used for many purposes in Kochi, such as producing mineral water, developing cosmetics, raising fish and growing crops. This valuable resource is pumped up from approximately 320m below the ocean surface off Cape Muroto and desalinated for drinking.

Uchimizu (Water Sprinkling)

   Sprinkling water over the garden and the streets around the house is a traditional Japanese method of preventing dust on the road or ground from being stirred up and to invite cool air in the summer time. Sprinkled water evaporates and removes heat from the ground, which slightly reduces the temperature.

Spring Water

Antoku Spring

   As you already know, Kochi has an abundance of water.Ground water wells up from many places in Kochi, too. Its temperature is constant so it feels cool in the summer and warm in winter.