A journey tracing the accomplishments of Eiichi Shibusawa, a notable figure in 2021

In this article, we will introduce a journey that traces the life of Eiichi Shibusawa and allows you to experience Japanese history from the Meiji period to the Reiwa period.

[Saitama Prefecture Edition] Fukaya City, the place where Eiichi Shibusawa built his foundation

About an hour and ten minutes by train from Tokyo, Fukaya City in Saitama Prefecture, the birthplace of Eisei Shibusawa, is known for its specialty "Fukaya green onions" and its mascot "Fukkachan."

From his birth on February 13, 1840 until he ran away to Kyoto at around the age of 23, Eiichi Shibusawa spent his days in Fukaya, running the family business of manufacturing and selling indigo balls, helping with sericulture, and studying under his father Ichiroemon and his cousin Odaka Atsutada.

Let us first trace the history of Fukaya, the place that can be said to have laid the foundation for Shibusawa Eiichi, who later broadened his horizons in Europe and worked hard to build Japan as a member of the Ministry of Finance.

1. "Fukaya Station" looks just like Tokyo Station. Why is it said that "Fukaya is actually the original"?

The first place you will visit in Fukaya City that is associated with Eiichi Shibusawa is JR Fukaya Station.

Even so, Fukaya Station looks just like Tokyo Station, with its brick-like exterior and the atmosphere of the station. Fukaya Station got its current look in 1996. It certainly was built after Tokyo Station, which opened in 1914, but there is a deeper reason for this that makes it more difficult to say it is just a copy.

Fukaya Station has a long history, having opened in 1883, about 30 years before Tokyo Station. During the Meiji period, Japan focused on railway technology, and plans were made to open railways nationwide, including in Tokyo and Kanagawa, and development proceeded at a rapid pace. This development led to increased logistics and the movement of people, and the area around Fukaya Station also developed.

One of the things that supported Fukaya's industry was bricks. Nippon Brick Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (originally called Nippon Brick Manufacturing Company) was established in Tokyo in 1887, and a factory began operating in Fukaya in 1888. The bricks produced were transported by rail to Tokyo and used as materials for the various buildings that remain today. The bricks used in Tokyo Station were also produced by Nippon Brick Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Due to this historical background, Fukaya Station, which was renovated in 1996, was modeled after Tokyo Station. In a sense, Fukaya Station could be said to be the original.

Akane Street (former Japan Brick Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Kamishikimen Factory private railway track site)

About 4km one way from Fukaya Station, the brick road that continues to the former Japan Brick Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is "Akane Street" (official name: Former Japan Brick Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Kamishikimen Factory Private Railway Track). It was used from 1895 to around 1975 as Japan's first private railway.

The bricks produced in the factory were transported along this dedicated line and are used in many buildings that remain today, such as the State Guest House and Tokyo Station.

Along Akane Street, you will find the Bizen Canal Iron Bridge, a nationally designated important cultural property, as well as other city-designated cultural properties such as the Old Fukaya Inn All-Night Lantern and the Fukukawa Iron Bridge, so you can get a sense of history just by taking a walk.

Fukkachan Clock

There is another interesting spot near Fukaya Station. That spot is the "Fukkachan Karakuri Clock," also known as the "Eiichi Shibusawa Karakuri Clock," located at the north exit of the station.

This clock features the popular mascot "Fukkachan," which was created in 2010 and won second place in the "Yuru-Chara Grand Prix 2014" held in 2014, spinning around underneath the clock and telling the time to people passing by.

Apparently, at 0 minutes past the hour, a statue of Eiichi Shibusawa appears to replace Fukkachan. If you're visiting the area around Fukaya Station, why not try taking a video of the strange sight of the character taking on the role of a great man?

Fukaya Station

2. The place where Eiichi Shibusawa was born and where he returned to. The former Shibusawa residence "Nakanoie"

Heading north from Fukaya Station and crossing the Oyama River, you will arrive at the former Shibusawa residence, Nakanoie, about a 20-minute taxi ride away. This mansion, consisting of the main building, side building, two gates, and four storehouses, was used as the residence of the Shibusawa family.

Of particular note is the main house, which retains the shape of a typical silkworm farm with a skylight. The 10-tatami room at the back of the house was carefully prepared for Eiichi when he returned home, and there are records that Eiichi actually returned to this mansion in between his busy schedules. Since his private residence in Tokyo was burned down in an air raid, the house inside is one of the few places that Eiichi Shibusawa would often visit and that still remains in its original form.

Since 1985, it has been used as a school facility for the Seibutsu Juku Shibusawa International School, and many international students have studied here. After that, when the school was dissolved in 2000, it became part of Fukaya City.

If you make a reservation in advance through the Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum reservation system, you can visit the museum as an individual or as a group. Why not visit this place where the history of the man known as the "father of modern Japanese economy" began?

Former Shibusawa Residence "Nakanoie"

3. You can also take a lecture from an android of Eiichi Shibusawa at the Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum.

After exploring Nakanoie, it's a 15-minute walk to the Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum, which houses and exhibits many of Shibusawa Eiichi's works, including his calligraphy and photographs.

In addition to the artworks and materials, you can watch videos about Eiichi Shibusawa in the multipurpose room, and you can watch lectures by an android of Eiichi Shibusawa in the lecture room. The words of Eiichi Shibusawa, who was devoted to founding and nurturing 500 companies, about 600 public works projects, supporting education and welfare, and engaging in private diplomacy, may have something that resonates with us today.

In addition, a new museum called "Shibusawa Eiichi: Aoi Ten wo Tsuke Fukaya Taiga Drama Museum" is scheduled to open on February 16, 2021, in conjunction with the release of the Taiga drama. You can immerse yourself in the world of the drama by looking at the exhibits of costumes and sets used in the Taiga drama. Details about the opening will be announced on the official Twitter account from time to time, so don't forget to check it out.

Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum

4. The birthplace of the man who could be called Eiichi Shibusawa's "life mentor." "The birthplace of Junchu Odaka"

Don't miss the famous places of people who had a major influence on Shibusawa Eiichi's life. Odaka Atsutada, Shibusawa's cousin and academic mentor, had such a major influence on his life that it was said in later generations that "Eiichi was only possible because of Aiko (Odaka Atsutada's given name)." He was later known as a businessman, just like Shibusawa Eiichi, as he served as the first director of Tomioka Silk Mill and the general manager of the Sendai branch of the First National Bank.

The birthplace of Odaka Atsutada was built by his great-grandfather in the late Edo period. Chiyo, who later became the wife of Eiichi Shibusawa, and Yu, Atsutada's daughter and the first female apprentice at the Tomioka Silk Mill, were raised in this house.

The structure of the building, which retains the charm of local merchant architecture, is also captivating, but the second floor is particularly noteworthy. There is a room (not open to the public) where it is said that together with Eiichi Shibusawa, they plotted to take over Takasaki Castle and burn down the Yokohama Foreign Trading Post, and even today, the heavy atmosphere there conveys to many people as a tourist spot.

Another highlight is the storehouse, which is said to have been made with bricks from the Japan Brick Manufacturing Co., Ltd., which began operations in 1888.

Birthplace of Junchu Odaka

5. "Seishido" is a building that embodies the respect for Eiichi Shibusawa. Don't miss the Japanese-Western blend of structure and decoration.

Eiichi Shibusawa was the first president of the First Bank from 1896. (Note: Eiichi served as president of the First National Bank, which existed before the bank was called the First Bank. The bank was established in 1896 due to the maturity of its operations.) The fact that he was so highly revered by the employees of the First Bank is well conveyed through the building of Seishinodo. This building was built with investments raised by the employees of the First Bank.

The building was designed by Tanabe Junkichi, a leading figure in the architectural world at the time, and it continues to be highly regarded today as a representative work of the arts and crafts orientation of Taisho-era architecture.

Incidentally, the name Seino-do was apparently given by Eiichi Shibusawa himself, in reference to a passage from the Doctrine of the Mean, one of the most famous Confucian scriptures: "Sincerity is the way of heaven, and to make it sincere is the way of man."

The half-timbered ceiling at the entrance is a wooden architectural structure seen in Britain and Northern Europe, and the stained-glass motif in the window beside the fireplace incorporates figures from stone paintings from the Han Dynasty in China. Be sure to take a good look at the intricate Japanese and Western decorations that are found throughout the building.

Seishido

6. Get to know Fukaya and eat Fukaya. "Shibusawa Eiichi Hometown Museum OAK" is the perfect place to experience the local flavors

If you want to learn more about Fukaya along with the achievements of Eiichi Shibusawa, head to the Shibusawa Eiichi Hometown Museum OAK. This facility houses a shop called Shibusawa Eiichi Hometown Museum and a cafe called Share Cafe OAK.

The Shibusawa Eiichi Hometown Museum not only provides information about Fukaya, but also sells the best products from the local shopping district and fresh vegetables. You can experience the local atmosphere in a "town station"-like space and learn about the charms of the town of Fukaya.

The store also sells Eiichi Shibusawa goods. From everyday items to souvenirs, there are plenty of goods you'll want to pick up. If you want to buy something related to Fukaya, we recommend visiting here.

The neighboring "Share Cafe Oak" was established as a place to connect locals and tourists while supporting people who dream of opening a cafe or shop in the future. It is a unique cafe that changes shop every day of the week.

The shop is frequented by locals, who visit mainly during lunch and cafe time, and the staff and customers cheerfully exchange conversations inside the shop. Here, you might be able to hear stories that only locals would know.

While you fill your stomach, why not enjoy a conversation with the people who live in the area associated with Eiichi Shibusawa?

Shibusawa Eiichi Hometown Museum OAK