Discover the History and Culture of Karatsu

Discover the History and Culture of Karatsu

Karatsu, a city located in the northern part of Saga Prefecture, is surrounded by a beautiful coastline and rich nature. As a hub for exchange with the continent since ancient times, the city is still alive with numerous historical heritages and traditional cultures.

The history of Karatsu dates back to ancient times, with ruins from the Jomon and Yayoi periods having been discovered. In the Middle Ages, trade with the Song Dynasty flourished in Karatsu Bay, bringing much culture and technology to this area.

In the Edo period, it developed as a castle town of the Karatsu Domain, with samurai residences and merchant districts formed around Karatsu Castle. Today, you can still stroll through the streets that retain the atmosphere of the castle town.

Karatsu has cultivated its own unique culture through the exchange of various cultures since ancient times. Traditional cultures such as Karatsu ware and Karatsu Kunchi are still carefully passed down today.

Karatsu, Where Ancient History Comes to Life - The Oldest Rice Cultivation Culture in Japan-

This area, where the oldest rice cultivation culture in Japan was introduced, is said to be the location of Matsura Country, which was recorded in the "Gishi Wajinden" (Records of the Wei). Many important primitive cultural properties have been excavated from this area.

The first place you should visit is the Nabata Ruins. These ruins are known as the oldest site of paddy rice farming in Japan, and you can catch a glimpse of ancient agricultural life. At the Matsura Museum next door, artifacts and materials from the ruins are exhibited, and pit dwellings and rice paddies have also been restored.

Next, let's visit the Kurisomizu Tumulus. This keyhole-shaped tomb is thought to have been built between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century, and you can feel the ancient burial culture.

The Tale of Matsura Sayohime, a Tragic Love Story

In Karatsu, the "Tale of Matsura Sayohime," a story woven by a beautiful girl, Sayohime, and a powerful local clan, Ootomo Sadehiko, is still told today.

This tragic love story begins when Sadehiko leaves for the capital and Sayohime, regretting their parting, waves her scarf to see him off.

Mount Kagami, the most scenic spot in Karatsu, is also called "Hirefuri Mountain" because Sayohime waved her scarf there, and a poem sung by Yamanoue no Okura in this area is included in the Manyoshu.

At the Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) in Kiu-ragi Town, which is said to be Sayohime's birthplace, a 12-meter-high statue of Sayohime welcomes visitors.

The Matsura Party, Active on the Sea - The Rise and Fall of the Hata Clan -

In medieval Karatsu, the Matsura Party, active on the sea, colored the history. In particular, the Hata clan, a member of the Kamimatsura Party, expanded their power with Kishitake Castle as their base, and by the Sengoku period, they had come to dominate the Kamimatsura region.

Kishitake Castle is known as the residence of the Hata clan. The castle ruins, such as the mossy stone walls, allow us to reminisce about the rise and fall of the Hata clan. This castle ruins, which tells the turbulent history of the Sengoku period, deeply impresses visitors.

Karatsu also has many historical sites related to the Middle Ages. One of them is the Udono Stone Buddha Group, which is said to have been carved by Kukai, who studied Esoteric Buddhism in Tang, when he returned to Japan. The more than 60 large and small cliff Buddhas flourished as a place of faith in Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. You can still see the delicate carvings and colors with little weathering.

Karatsu, Where Famous Feudal Lords Gathered - The Prosperity of the Castle and Castle Town-

In modern times, Karatsu greatly developed as a political, economic, and cultural center. Karatsu Castle, which towers as a symbol of Karatsu, is a castle facing the sea, which is rare in Japan. The superb view of the deep blue sea from the castle tower and the Rainbow Pine Grove, which is designated as a national scenic spot, is truly breathtaking.

Nagoya Castle, which was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and is said to have been built by Kanbei Kuroda as the chief engineer, played an important role as a base for the Bunroku-Keicho War (Korean Invasion). More than 130 feudal lords from all over the country gathered here, and Hideyoshi's grand concept of aiming for national unification began here.

At the Nagoya Castle Museum adjacent to the Nagoya Castle Ruins, you can experience the castle at that time with a sense of realism with the "Virtual Nagoya Castle" using a smartphone. The golden tea room, which reproduces Hideyoshi's tea room, is also a must-see.

While Karatsu developed as a castle town, Yobuko flourished with whaling. The residence of the Nakao family, who made a fortune in the whaling industry, is also depicted in the Edo-period painting "Ogawajima Whaling Battle."

Karatsu: A City of Coal Mining and Prosperity - Memories of Glory Carved in Architecture -

Karatsu, which developed significantly in the coal industry from the Meiji era to the Taisho era, still has many beautiful buildings that tell of its prosperity.

Kingo Tatsuno, who was from Karatsu, is famous for designing many of modern Japan's leading buildings, such as the Marunouchi Station Building of Tokyo Station and the head office of the Bank of Japan.

The former Karatsu Bank, which was supervised by Kingo Tatsuno, is characterized by the British Queen Anne style arranged in a Japanese style, and is one of the buildings that symbolize the modernization of Karatsu.

The former Mitsubishi Goshi Kaisha, which was supervised by Tatsuzo Sone, who was also from Karatsu, is a valuable existence as one of the few wooden Western-style buildings remaining in Saga Prefecture.

In addition, the residence of Iko Takatori, who was called "the coal mining king of Hizen," the "former Takatori residence," is a must-see building with a Noh stage and gorgeous transoms that tell the story of the wealth of the time.



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