Fukushima: The enduring samurai spirit and a legacy of beauty
福島：伝承されるサムライと美の心
In ancient times, the samurai of Fukushima cherished the “spirit of living a beautiful life.” This included adherence to values of living virtuously (righteousness), staying mindful (consideration of others), and being truthful (trustworthiness). This enduring mindset which has been passed down from the past to the present remains cherished by the people and is reflected in the urban and rural landscapes of Fukushima.
When the Boshin War broke out 150 years ago, the city of Aizuwakamatsu became a fierce battleground for one of the greatest conflicts of the samurai era. Having been devastated by the war, this castle town was restored by its survivors and their descendants, and they inherited that same samurai spirit. Since restoration, it has enjoyed continuous prosperity. Visitors to the city can get a close look at the history of the late Edo period and sense the atmosphere of the city’s old quarters. Aizuwakamatsu is recognized as one of Japan’s preeminent sightseeing destinations.
Its beautiful scenery shifting with the four seasons captivates the hearts of visitors from all over the world: in spring, the ancient Miharu Takizakura cherry tree is in bloom; it is one of Japan’s three greatest cherry blossoms; and in the autumn the resplendent leaves brighten up Ouchi-juku which retains the appearance of the old Edo era. It is also the home to a tradition of exceptional arts and crafts, such as Aizu lacquerware, Akabeko toy cows, Shirakawa Daruma figures and many others, all created by artisans who are devoted to their work, maintaining the essence of the Japanese aesthetic while giving a glimpse of a new era of beauty to come.
Fukushima, much loved by the samurai, still shines brightly and continues to inspire and excite the world.
福島のサムライたちが大切にしたもの。それは、正しく生きること（義）、おもいやること（仁）、偽らないこと（信）など「美しく生きるための心」でした。その精神は現代に伝承され、福島の人々や街並みにしっかりと受け継がれています。
150年前にサムライたちによる最大の戦「戊辰戦争」の激戦地となった会津若松市。戦によって荒廃した城下町は、その後、その精神を受け継いだ子孫たちの手で復興され、繁栄し続けており、城下町らしい風情と幕末の歴史の一端にふれることができる日本でも有数の観光地として知られています。
春には日本三大桜の一つである三春滝桜、秋には江戸の姿をとどめる大内宿を彩る紅葉と、四季が織りなす美しい風景は、世界中から訪れる人々の心を捉えて離しません。また、会津漆器やあかべこ、白河だるまなど、職人が魂を込めて作り上げる優れた工芸品の数々は、日本の美の本質を守りつつも、新たな時代の萌芽を感じさせてくれます。
サムライたちが愛した福島は、今なお眩い輝きを放ち、世界に憧れと感動を与え続けているのです。
The Land of the Samurai
サムライの国
An encounter with the samurai spirit and its culture
In the late Edo period, Fukushima Prefecture was home to 13 samurai clans, both large and small, but the history of the Aizu clan in particular, which boasted an income of 230,000 koku (a measure of rice production), can tell us much about the end of the Edo period. Its lord, Matsudaira Katamori, guardian of Kyoto, was devoted to the shogunate and this was the cause of great drama during the subsequent Boshin War. The names of the Katamori and the Aizu clans are known throughout Japan for being synonymous with samurai society.
Today, many historical sites relating to the Aizu clan, the Boshin War, and the land of the Shinsengumi still remain in the city of Aizuwakamatsu. Visitors to Fukushima can also brush shoulders with the legacy of the samurai at various festivals whose origins date back to the distant past, and bear witness to the enduring samurai spirit and culture which is all over Fukushima Prefecture.
サムライの精神と文化に出会う
江戸時代末期、福島県には大小13の藩がありましたが、なかでも23万石を誇る会津藩は、幕末を語る上でなくてはならない存在だと言えます。京都守護職を務めた松平容保の幕府への忠義が、その後の戊辰戦争で多くのドラマを生み、容保と会津藩の姿は、武士社会の鑑として全国にその名をとどろかせたのでした。
現在でも、会津若松市には会津藩や戊辰戦争に関する史跡や新選組ゆかりの地が残るほか、各地で古くから続く祭に侍の姿を見ることができるなど、福島を訪れる人は街のそこここに流れるサムライの精神や文化に出会うことができます
Tsurugajo Castle
A previously impregnable castle that withstood the attacks of the new government’s army for a month during the Boshin War, it was destroyed in 1874, leaving only its stone perimeter walls, but with the help of donations from local residentsand from elsewhere, it was restored in 1965. In 2011, it became the only castle tower in Japan to display the distinctive red roof tiles from the late Edo period. It contains an exhibition room where visitors can learn about the history of Aizu.
鶴ヶ城
戊辰戦争時に新政府軍の猛攻の前に籠城1カ月落ちなかったとされる難攻不落の名城。石垣を残して1874年に壊され、1965年に市民らの寄附等で復元。2011年に幕末時代の赤瓦をまとった日本で唯一の天守閣となる。会津の歴史がわかる展示室も併設
Aizu Festival
This is the biggest festival in Aizu, held every year towards the end of September. Among its various events, the Aizu Clan Parade is a spectacular procession in which, following a ceremony held at Tsurugajo Castle, about 500 people march through the town dressed as warriors.
会津まつり
毎年9月下旬に開催
会津最大の祭り。中でも武者姿の総勢約500名による、鶴ヶ城本丸での出陣式と、まちなかを練り歩く「会津藩公行列」は必見
Soma Nomaoi
The Soma Nomaoi is held every year over the last weekend in July. This traditional equestrian event claims a history of more than a thousand years. It is a thrilling spectacle in which horses race one another, ridden by armored warriors wearing white headbands, competing at high speeds that overlap 1000 metres before reaching the finish line!
相馬野馬追
毎年7月最終土・日・月曜日に開催
千年以上の歴史を誇る伝統行事。白鉢巻きをしめた甲冑姿の騎馬武者が1周約1000メートルの速さを競う甲冑競馬は圧巻！
Beautiful scenery
美しい景観
Ouchi-juku
This is where the urban surroundings and thatched roofs of a post station town from the Edo era still remain, giving a sense of one slipping back in time. It is famous for its negisoba dish, in which soba noodles are eaten with a single stalk of green onion instead of using chopsticks.
大内宿
茅葺き屋根が連なる江戸時代の宿場の街並みを今に残しており、タイムスリップ気分に浸れる。箸の代わりに一本のねぎで蕎麦を食べる「ねぎそば」が有名
Miharu Takizakura Cherry tree
This ancient weeping cherry tree, believed to be more than 1000 years old, is known as one of the top three cherry blossoms in Japan. When it is Illuminated at night, it has a magical appearance.
三春滝桜
日本三大桜の一つとして知られる、推定樹齢1000年以上のベニシダレザクラ。夜はライトアップされ、また違った姿を見せる
Shiramizu Amidado
The only National Treasure building in Fukushima Prefecture. Lotuses bloom here in summer, while in the autumn beautiful leaves reveal another face of this understated, elegant garden.
白水阿弥陀堂
県内唯一の国宝建築。夏はハス、秋は紅葉が、静かで優雅な庭園を美しく彩る
Tadami River Daiichi Bridge
A popular spot where trains run through Japan’s virgin landscape, a destination for photographers from all over the world.
只見川第一橋梁
日本の原風景の中を列車が走る姿が人気で、世界中の写真家が撮影しに訪れる
Hanamiyama
Fukushima’s renowned wonderland of flowers—as well as the ubiquitous plums and cherry blossoms, flowering peach trees, forsythia, magnolia, and many others also bloom here.
花見山
梅や桜だけでなくハナモモ、レンギョウ、モクレンなどが一斉に咲き誇る、ふくしまの桃源郷と称される花の名所
Fukushima handicrafts
ふくしまの手仕事
The evolution of traditional forms
Fukushima’s traditional craftworks and artifacts, fashioned by skilled and proud craftsmen who are able to make use of the prefecture’s rich natural produce, and have strong, long-standing and deep roots in local social and daily life. In recent years, in collaboration with contemporary artisans, new challenges have also emerged, adding new dimensions of design and creativity to traditional technology.
進化し続ける伝統のカタチ
厳しくも豊かな自然を活かし、職人が技術と誇りを込めて作り出す福島の伝統的工芸品や地場産品は、日々の暮らしに温もりを与えるものとして地域の暮らしに根づき、世代を超えて愛されている。近年、クリエイターとのコラボレーションで、伝統の技術にデザインや創造性を加えた新たな挑戦も行なわれている。
Aizu lacquerware
While using a diverse array of traditional techniques, such as raden inlay work, urushi-e painting, dry lacquer, maki-e metallic designs, hananuri lacquer work and other techniques cultivated over a period of some 400 years, local artisans also actively incorporate the latest technology and designs into their work.
会津漆器（会津塗）
約400年という時を超えて培ってきた螺鈿・漆絵・乾漆・蒔絵・花塗りなど多岐にわたる伝統の技を守りつつも、最新技術・デザインを積極的に取り入れている
Shirakawa Daruma figures
Boasting a history of about 300 years, these figures have eyebrows that represent cranes, pines and plum trees, turtles for moustaches, and bamboo beards. Rather than being simply decorative, they are considered lucky charms. Of these late colourful and quaint Daruma designs have become very popular.
白河だるま
約300年の歴史を持ち、眉は鶴、口髭は亀、鬢は松と梅、顎髭は竹を表す。見るからに福々しくおめでたい縁起物。最近ではカラフルで可愛らしいだるまが人気
Okiagari-koboshi
These little dolls, which always return to an upright position whenever knocked over, are used as totems when praying for safe homes and physical health. They are symbols of perseverance and rebirth, epitomizing the Japanese proverb, “Fall down seven times, get up eight.”
起き上がり小法師
一族繁栄、家内安全を祈り、小さな体で元気に働き、何度転んでも起き上がることを誓った「七転び八起き」の復興のシンボル
FUKUSHIMA PRIDE by JUNKO KOSHINO
Traditional crafts and local products created in collaboration with world-renowned designer Junko Koshino. Koshino’s innovative and contemporary designs have been added to the range of products making best use of the local characteristics and traditional techniques of craftsmen such as authentic Aizu cotton, Miharu papier mache, Aizu lacquerware, Japanese washi paper, knitwear, and so on, creating a new brand perfectly suited to diversifying lifestyles. As Fukushima evolves, these items, so full of new possibilities, continue to attract increased attention.
FUKUSHIMA PRIDE by JUNKO KOSHINO
福島が誇る伝統的工芸品や地場産品と、世界的デザイナー・コシノジュンコ氏がコラボレーション。会津木綿や三春張子、会津塗、和紙、ニットなど、地域の特性や職人の伝統技を生かした商品に、コシノ氏の斬新で現代的なデザインが加わり、多様化するライフスタイルに合った新しいブランドが誕生。福島の進化と新たな可能性を感じる商品に注目が集まる。
Aizu cotton & Nihonmatsu banko-yaki ceramics l 会津木綿・二本松万古焼
Miharu papier mache l 三春張子
Kamikawasaki washi paper l 上川崎和紙
Fukushima, Kingdom of Sake Breweries
醸造王国ふくしま
Winner of most gold medals at the Annual Japan Sake Awards for the 8th time in a row!
Fukushima Prefecture is blessed with clear water and a perfect climate for rice production. The local history of sake brewing is very old, with some sake breweries still working after more than 300 years. There are more than 50 sake breweries in the Prefecture, each competing with its rivals to brew delicious liquor of outstanding quality while retaining its own unique character. These breweries also focus on teaching brewing skills to the next generation. Its sake breweries are the pride of the Prefecture and in 2021, for the 8th time in a row. Fukushima again won the greatest number of gold medals at the Annual Japan Sake Awards, the most traditional and prestigious of such awards in Japan.
全国新酒鑑評会 金賞受賞数8年連続日本一
清らかな水、米づくりに適した気候風土に恵まれた福島県の酒造りの歴史は古く、創業300年を超える酒蔵も今に受け継がれています。県内にある酒蔵数は50を超え、それぞれが腕を競い合い、個性がありながら質が良く飲みやすいお酒を醸造。後進の指導にも力を入れています。こうした酒造関係者の誇り「ふくしまプライド。」が結実し、2021年には国内で最も伝統と権威のある「全国新酒鑑評会」で金賞受賞数8年連続日本一の快挙を達成しています。
Rich, sweet, mellow, and refreshing
In a few words, the sake of Fukushima is rich, sweet, mellow, and refreshing. The fruity aromas are born from Fukushima’s original sake yeasts. Utsukushima yume-kobo sake yeast has a wellrounded melon-like fragrance, and Utsukushima kirameki-kobo sake yeast has a clear strawberry like aroma. The delicacy achieved by low-temperature long-term fermentation and the intrinsic flavour of robust sake coming from a strong koji culture are very popular. Fukushima is also the head of research into suitable strains of rice for brewing sake, with its own original “Yume-no- kaori” and “Fuku-no-ka” rice variety, as well as high-quality being developed in the Prefecture. Sake brewed using the new rice, “Fuku-no-ka”, grown entirely in Fukushima, was released in 2020.
芳醇・淡麗・旨口
福島の酒を一言で表すと「芳醇・淡麗・旨口」。県オリジナル吟醸酵母―メロンのようにまろやかな香りの「うつくしま夢酵母」とイチゴのようにすっきり香り立つ「うつくしま煌酵母」が醸す果実のような吟醸香や、低温長期発酵による味のキメ細かさ、強い麹から生まれるしっかりとした酒本来の味わいが魅力です。酒造好適米の開発にも積極的で、県オリジナル米「夢の香」や「福乃香」などの次世代米も次々と誕生。2020年には次世代の米「福乃香」を使ったオール福島の清酒も発表されました。
A perfect match for Fukushima sake
ふくしまの酒の肴
Enban gyoza dumplings
These crisp, juicy dumplings derive their unique name from being fried in a pan and arranged together into a circular shape, grilled side up.
円盤餃子
カリカリ＆ジューシーな餃子。ユニークな名はフライパンで焼き、ひっくり返して出した形が円盤状であったことに由来する
Soba noodles
An ideal match for Japanese sake, the many varieties of Fukushima soba (buckwheat) include Shirakawa soba from the town of Shirakawa, known as one of the top areas for soba noodles in Japan, the tachisoba and negisoba noodles of the Aizu region, and other varieties.
そば
日本有数のそば処のひとつとして知られる白河市の白河そば、会津地方のねぎそばをはじめ、福島の多種多様なそばは酒の肴に最適
Prefectural information
Located south of the Tohoku region, 200 kilometres from Tokyo, Fukushima Prefecture is the third largest prefecture by area in Japan. It is broadly divided into three regions—the Abukuma Highlands in the east, the Echigo mountain range in the west, and the Ou mountain range in the middle, with each region having its own unique landscape, culture, and climate. There are so many ways in which you can to enjoy Fukushima. In the Aizu district, dotted with historical sites of the Aizu samurai clan, winter sports are popular because of the excellent quality of the snow, the central Nakadori region is overflowing with beautiful flowers and fresh fruit, and the Hamadori region facing the Pacific Ocean. Another couple of major attractions are the many varieties of hot springs that can be enjoyed throughout the Prefecture.
県情報
福島県は日本で三番目に広い面積を持ち、東北地方の最も南、東京から200kmのところに位置する。東の阿武隈高地と西の越後山脈、真ん中の奥羽山脈によって3つの地方に分かれ、それぞれ風土や文化、気候も異なるため、楽しみ方も多彩だ。会津地方には会津藩士ゆかりの名所旧跡が点在し、良質な雪が降るためウインタースポーツが盛んで、中通り地域には美しい花々と瑞々しい果実に溢れ、太平洋に面した浜通りでは、雄大な景観を眺望することができる。県内各地にある温泉で様々な泉質の湯を楽しめるのも魅力である。
リンク：
JP : www.tif.ne.jp
