Takayama Jinya

The Edo Era

We were fortunate to be brought to an old government office of the Edo Period.

Here we witness some of the practices and lifestyle experienced by the officials then. Somehow, we can conclude that the hierarchy practices are obvious and we also saw how a local government carried out its duties of all sorts.

A peek into the building can tell us stories of all kinds.

But I must confess I have lost the chronology of the walk and I can only relate to what I have remembered about the photos taken.

At the entrance of the Jinya building, we were greeted by Japanese ladies selling the usual market goods such as miso paste, rich rice, pickles, flowers and fruits. Rosy cheeked and polite, the Japanese womenfolk here seem overworked.

 Tickets were purchased and Clement told us that a walk around the premises of the building would be best practice. Many words are saved just by observation.

 My husband look for different things. He told me about the roof, the wood and the like which to me seem all the same. I do admit we are attracted to different features and I would tell him about how the locals cook and live then. We surely have unrelated stories. But nevertheless good for each other; unlike poles almost always attract.

This is how the outside is constructed; all seem light and easy and ready for any impending earthquakes. Located in the heart of tectonic movements, quakes of smaller scale must happen everyday so as to release tension. The Japanese have succumbed to this fate and are used to it. No fear anymore.

I think this is equivalent to a court ? Judges sit in a row to cross examine cases and the prosecuted probably had to sit not beyond the barricade.

Surrounding the building are passages of the above which lead to different sections used for the multitude of functions. So neat and clean. 

At a certain quarter, the men tried to decipher how heat is transmitted to the kettle for boiling water. Great living skills.

Attached to a section is a small kitchenette for simple cooking.

We were mesmerized by the utensils of the then century.

 This could be living quarters for government officials and their families.

Notice the mat on the floor. It is the only material which is used for floors.

Cooling and sleeping on the mat must be good for the back.

Nothing is Japanese enough without a garden. The garden must be an outlet for stress and rest. After a hard day's work, it is imperative that a walk in the garden be done for the good of the mind and heart.

I believe this is the top official's wife's quarters.

Perhaps this is the waiting area for guests.

Yes, it must be. 

When guests aplenty are here to see her, this was where they waited.

 While that was a small kitchen, this must be a big one for maid servants to prepare meals for the whole battalion. Heavy utensils are seen here and chunks of wood are used as fuel.

I had a first hand manipulation on the kettle.

That's how people of the past boil water. 

Exhibited along with the kitchen were samples of ceramics used for bowls, spoons and pots. So very Chinese too.

We were exposed to the types of torture machinery used on prisoners too.

They looked decent but we believe there were more to it.

 The helmet and the armor. 

That must be the attire of the Japanese militant.

There were also short excerpts of high ranking officials of the Edo Era and their contributions to the nation.

This truly caught my attention.

Taxes paid in the form of sacks of rice.

Farmers grow rice to give away as taxes.

The feudal system was surely reigning then.

The walk was more than 30 minutes and at the end of the peek, we were reminded that recycling was the common practice here. We saw this officer separating the garbage and kept them for recycling. Such is the discipline here.

Before we left the place, we went to ease ourselves and this was where we found water recycled for flushing purposes. The Japanese are creative alright.

Goodbye Takayama Jinya.

We had to move to our next destination; the wasabi fields.