Since the Muromachi period, Izumisano City in the southern part of Osaka Prefecture has a group of fishing boats that sail as far as to Tsushima and the shipping industry also flourished. In the Edo period, the shipowners of Sano were active through the higaki-kaisen (a wooden cargo ship) and the taru-kaisen (a ship that carried sake barrels), which sailed from Osaka to Edo all year round, and the ships that carried rice from the clan on the Sea of Japan side to Osaka. Among them, there were wealthy merchants such as the Meshino family and the Karakane family, who also appeared in Saikaku Ihara’s “Nippon Eitaigura”.
When the Kitamae-bune appeared in the middle of the 18th century, they entered the market early and built enormous wealth. The traces of its glory can be seen in various parts of the city, such as “Irohagura Street” along the coast lined with breweries which shipowners built.
shipowners’ settlement
Cultural Properties of Izumisano City
Ruins of the Meshino Family House
The ruins of the principal residence of the wealthy merchant Meshino Family who made a fortune through Kitamae-bune. There are remnants of the ruins of the house, an old sketch map, a wooden frame around a well, and pine trees.
Irohakura Street
A group of warehouses built by shipowners along the coast. There are remnants of the stones that stevedores used to compete while waiting for the ship.
The Saihoji Temple
The family temple of the True Pure Land Buddhism built by the wealthy merchant Meshino Family. There is a drum tower specifically for the shipowners, and votive Buddhist scripture.
The Kasuga Shrine
A shrine with stone lanterns and guard dog statues dedicated by shipowners and merchants of Kitamae-bune to pray for maritime safety.
Temple Bell of the MyoJoji Temple
A bell dedicated by the wealthy merchant Karakane Family to prayer for maritime safety.
Townscape of former Sanoura
The townscape of former Sanoura where used to be the busiest in Senshu with shipowners and merchants of Kitamae-bune. In the shopping street, there are also shops having family crest of the Meshino Family as the shop name.
Node Cemetery
Graveyard of the wealthy merchants Meshino Family and the Karakane Family, who made their fortune on Kitamae-bune. The " sanmaimatsu pine tree of Node " that was a marker to call at the port still exist.
A group of materials of the Meshino Group
A group of old documents left by the wealthy merchants, the Meshino Family, the Karakane Family, and the Yagura Family (the Meshino Group). Collection from History Museum Izumisano.
A group of materials of the Zentokuji Temple
Things dedicated by the wealthy merchant Meshino Family. There are Buddhist statues and portraits of shipowners.
Futon-daiko (mattress drum)
Ornamental floats brought from the Higashi-Setouchi region and Awaji Island by Kitamae-bune. It is used for the summer festival at the Kasuga Shrine to pray for bountiful fishing and safety.
Sano kudoki song (Sano Dance)
In the Edo period, the Kudoki Bushi of the townhouse that was first shown to the Kishu domain lord in the garden of the Meshino Family. The succession song of the shipowner, "Meshinochoja", has been handed down.
Votive Benzaisen ships
A model of Kitamae-bune of the Edo period dedicated by the shipowner to the Nakami Shrine in Nakasho.
