近江商人が成功した要因とは？ / What was the reason for the success of the Omi merchants?
The Omi merchants were known for their “triple win” philosophy. You can see the townscape of the “Omi merchants”
An in-depth explanation as you walk down Shinmachi Street in Omihachiman. Why did the “Omi merchants” become famous throughout the country? We arrived at Omihachiman Station in Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture. In this video, we will be taking a look at Shinmachi Street in Omihachiman.
We will dig deeper into the “Omi merchants.” The commentator will be me, Sukucchi. I, Yatchi, am the listener. Now, let’s begin Tabi Robo’s in-depth journey. Tabi Robo’s in-depth journey. Check the location on the map in front of Omihachiman Station. From “Omihachiman Station” to the destination of “Shinmachi Street”,
It is about 2.1 km away and takes about 30 minutes on foot. You can walk there, but this time I’ll take the bus. “Shinmachi Street” is a street lined with “Omi merchants”,
There are important cultural properties and photo spots. Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture is located around the red circle on the map. The “Shinmachi Street” we are heading to is circled in red on the map. You can see that it is a little far from Omihachiman Station. The route is shown by the red arrows. From the bus stop, walk along Shinmachi-dori towards Hachiman-bori. I got off at the bus stop in front of Obatacho Museum. There are other tourist attractions nearby besides “Shinmachi Street”,
It might be a good idea to visit it together with Shinmachi Street. Going back a little towards “Omihachiman Station”,
Turn left and you will see your destination, Shinmachi Street. “Shinmachi Street” is “Omihachiman City Yahata”,
It has been designated as an “Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.” “The main houses and residences of Omi merchants, with their sophisticated designs, stand side by side,
Together with the pine trees overlooking the street, it creates a rich townscape. It is described as a characteristic of the area. Even if you don’t know much about it, it would be fun just to look at the townscape. I agree. But if you know more about it, you’ll enjoy it even more. The “Omi merchants” had their main residence in Omi Province,
A general term for merchants who traveled around selling their goods. Omi Province is now Shiga Prefecture. The “Omi merchants” were from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
His name is said to have spread throughout the country. It also contributed to the modernization of the Japanese economy during the Meiji period. Many of the businesses established by the “Omi merchants” were
It has since grown into a company that is still active today. Was there something about Omi Province that helped produce talented merchants? The success of the “Omi merchants” seems to have been related to geographical conditions. Omi is close to the political center of Kyoto,
It is geographically located close to both the commercial center of Osaka and the city of Fukuoka. Furthermore, it was located on the routes of the Tokaido and Nakasendo roads. Both the Tokaido and Nakasendo are included in the “Five Highways.” I agree. The post stations on the Tokaido road in Omi Province are
From Nihonbashi, it is the 49th post station, Tsuchiyama-juku, to the 53rd post station, Otsu-juku. As of May 2025 ,
I haven’t reached this point yet in the “Tokaido Fifty-three Stations Tour” series. The closest place to “Omihachiman” where I am now is
It looks like Musa-juku on the Nakasendo road. I would also like to visit the post towns on the “Sixty-nine Stations of the Nakasendo Road.” I’ll think about it after I finish the “Tokaido Fifty-three Stations Tour Series.” This is the former Tomo family residence, a cultural property designated by Omihachiman city. You can see inside for a fee. The “Former Ban Family Residence” was built by the wealthy merchant “Ban Shoemon” in the early Edo period.
This is a merchant’s house that was built as the main residence. The 7th generation “Ban Shoemon Yoshitada”
Bunsei 10) and 1840 (Tempo 11). The “former Ban family residence” was transferred to the then Yahatacho town during the Meiji period.
It evolved into an elementary school and then a girls’ school. After the war, it was used as the “Omi Brotherhood Library.”
It later became the “Omihachiman City Library.” From 2004 ,
It has been restored and maintained to the same condition as the school was in the Meiji period, and is now open to the public. The staff at the “Former Tomo Family Residence” said it was okay to take photos, so
I took some photos inside the building. I didn’t say anything about the video shoot.
I just left it as a photo. I should have checked. That’s true though. The “Former Tomo Family Residence” is a large, three-story building.
Records show that the building was constructed with the aim of being earthquake-resistant. Apparently this was rare at the time. When you enter the building, in front of you,
There is an open stairwell that reaches up to the attic on the third floor. The atrium can be seen from the second floor. the second floor there is a large hall measuring 45 tatami mats. One website said that the main attraction was the great hall. that runs the length of the window has no joints. If you look up at the ceiling of this great hall, you will understand how amazing it is. When you enter the “Former Tomo Family Residence”,
In front of the building was an exhibition by the Sagicho Preservation Society. The name “Sagicho” comes from a game called “dakyuu” (ball-playing).
The tool is called “Gichou/Gichou”. “Utamari” was played at the Imperial Court during the Heian period.
It is said to be a festive game played during the New Year. “Sagicho” is a festival in which three broken sticks are tied together,
Its origin is said to be an event in which onmyoji (exorcists) would burn pots while chanting. The books include “Mimari-jo”, “Mimari-uchi”, “Miki-bari”, “Sanki-uchi”, etc.
It seems to be written in various kanji characters. Gradually, the current “Sagicho”
It is thought that it became a notation. At the “Sagicho Festival” held every year in mid-March,
They use the “Sagicho” ritual, as shown in this photo. Each neighborhood in the former castle town held a “Sagicho” festival.
Young men carry a total of 13 “Sagicho” floats and parade through the old castle town. The “Sagicho” was carried to “Himure Hachiman Shrine”,
It is burned with the hope of warding off fire and misfortune. What, they make something amazing like this every year and burn it every year? It seems so. I hope I can go see the Sagicho Festival someday. I have a plan to go somewhere nearby,
Maybe I’ll go if the timing is right. The road on the left hand side as you head towards the Former Tomo Family Residence is Shinmachi-dori Street. The purpose of this trip is to go to Shinmachi Street.
The Former Ban Family Residence looked interesting so I decided to stop by. “Former Tomo Family Residence”, “Omihachiman City Museum”, and “Former Nishikawa Family Residence”
There was a joint admission ticket available, so I bought that. 2025 , a joint admission ticket cost 800 yen. The Omihachiman City Museum and the Former Nishikawa Residence are
There was no mention of filming, so I didn’t film anything. I think this is a highly recommended place, including the Former Ban Family Residence. “Shinmachi Street” is
The street is included in the nationally designated Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Even if you don’t enter the “former Tomo family residence”
You may be satisfied just by walking down this Shinmachi Street. There weren’t that many tourists,
Maybe it’s a hidden gem. This was also the case in Kanazawa’s “Kazuemachi Teahouse District.”
There are probably many more lesser known tourist spots out there. Behind the explanation “Hometown of Omi merchants” is
This is the Omihachiman City Museum. The Omihachiman City Museum is a local history museum, a history and folklore museum,
It is said to consist of three buildings, including the “Former Nishikawa Family Residence.” The building behind the explanation is the “Local History Museum.”
Behind it was the History and Folklore Museum. The entrance to the Former Nishikawa Family Residence is located on Shinmachi Street. This “Shinmachi Street” has been in existence since the end of the Edo period.
There are merchant houses built during the Meiji and Taisho periods that are still preserved today. If you go straight down Shinmachi Street, you will come to Hachimanbori.
Even if you are visiting Hachimanbori, I think you will enjoy yourself if you pass through here. “Shinmachi Street” has latticed doors and pine trees.
It seems that the characteristics of Yawata’s merchant houses have been preserved. Apparently there are manhole covers with designs of Omihachiman scenery,
I found out about it while I was editing the video, so I wasn’t able to watch it. The streets of Omihachiman were renovated in 1585 (Tensho 13).
It is said that it began when Toyotomi Hidetsugu built a castle on Mt. Hachiman. This is the entrance to the Former Nishikawa Family Residence. The “Former Nishikawa Family Residence” is a Kyoto-style building built in 1706.
It was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1983 . The Nishikawa family made their fortune dealing in mosquito nets and tatami mats.
They are Omi merchants who have been in business for 11 generations, for about 300 years. After the death of the 11th head of the family, the Nishikawa Shouroku family, a branch of the family,
The land and buildings were donated to the city of Omihachiman. It was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1983 .
1985 , and became the current building. The storehouse in the “Former Nishikawa Family Residence” was built during the Tenwa era (1681-1683).
It is said to be a three-story storehouse. This is rare nationwide,
This tells the story of the prosperity of the Nishikawa family. By the way, aren’t the “Omi merchants” famous for their “triple win” philosophy? that’s right. “Sanpoyoshi” (good for the seller, good for the buyer, good for society) is
It symbolizes the merchant spirit of the Omi merchants. Not just buyers and sellers,
He was intent on bringing benefits to the world. Benefit to the world? It seems to be a legitimate business that is needed by society. “Omi merchants” are committed to fulfilling their social responsibilities and mission.
He seemed to be proud of being a merchant. The family motto of the “Omi merchants” is the secrets and techniques for making money.
It’s not written down. The importance of trust and faith, the value of hard work and diligence,
It seems that frugality and thrift have always been necessary. This high level of ethics is said to be one of the reasons for their success. The spirit of the “Omi merchants”
This is also reflected in the expression “hidden virtue and good deeds.” This means “hidden virtues and good deeds.” For the “Omi merchants”
It was important to share the wealth without saying it out loud. The social contributions of the “Omi merchants” are:
This was apparently done to fund public works projects and as donations to shrines and temples. I don’t know anything about business,
I feel like that’s important. Up ahead is the “Hachimanbori”
I think that’s all for this video. So, this concludes our in-depth journey into the “Omi Merchants.” Well, let’s meet again in another place. Well, let’s meet again in another place.
Why were the Omi merchants able to make their name known throughout the country?
A deep dive into the story as we walk along Shinmachi Street in Omihachiman.
Tokaido-Gojusan-Tsugi Tour Series
〇Kazukemachi Teahouse District
#OmiMerchants #Omihachiman #ShinmachiStreet #FormerTomoFamilyResidence #FormerNishikawaFamilyResidence
*About “Yacchi” and “Succchi”
A robot that evolves with custom parts.
It speaks in a robot-like voice, so it may be difficult to hear until you get used to it.
Translated using Google Translate.
近江商人はなぜ全国にその名をとどろかせることができたのか？
近江八幡の新町通りを歩きながら、深掘り解説。
〇東海道五十三次の宿場めぐりシリーズ
〇主計町茶屋街
#近江商人 #近江八幡 #新町通り #旧伴家住宅 #旧西川家住宅
※「やっち」と「すくっち」について
カスタムパーツで進化していくロボット。
ロボットらしい声でしゃべっているので、慣れるまで聞き取りにくいかもしれません。