Located approximately 10 km east of Okayama City’s center, the Saidaiji area, situated along the Yoshii River, functioned as a river port facilitating the transport of goods between the Bizen and Mimasaka regions, and was also a significant port for Kitamae-bune that accessed the area via Kojima Bay.
Originally, the area developed as a temple town centered around Kinryozan Saidaiji Temple (Kannon-in), a special-status temple of the Shingon sect. The annual Saidaiji Eyo, held every February, is known as the unusual “Naked Festival,” and was sponsored by the Kitakaze family of Tsu (Kobe city), Hyogo Prefecture, which was said to be the leading shipping wholesaler in Hyogo, the base port for Kitamae-bune. The Saidaiji Cultural Museum houses related historical materials, including Kitamae-bune ship models, ship chests, name plaques of vessels, and Edo-period maps.
ports of call
Cultural Properties of Okayama City
Kinryozan Saidaiji Temple
This temple is where the Saidaiji Eyo Festival is held, celebrated by the Kitakaze family, Hyogo's leading shipping wholesaler, who was the base port for Kitamae-bune.
Saidaiji Temple Eyo
A festival hosted by the Kitakaze family, who served as the ritual sponsors and were renowned as Hyogo’s leading shipping agents at a key port of the Kitamae-bune trade network.
Kano Eicho's painting of Kinryozan Saidaiji Temple Kannon-in Ema Eyo
An illustration depicting the Saidaiji Eyo Festival, which was hosted by the Kitakaze family—Hyogo’s leading shipping agents at a key port of the Kitamae-bune trade network.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi's painting of Kinryozan in Bizen, a scene from the painting of Saidaiji Temple Eyo
Hyogo’s leading shipping agents at a key port of the Kitamae-bune trade network.
An illustration depicting the Saidaiji Eyo Festival, hosted by the Kitakaze family.
Bizen Kinryozan Saidaiji Temple Eyo-no-zu
An illustration depicting the Saidaiji Eyo Festival, hosted by the Kitakaze family—Hyogo’s leading shipping agents at a key port of the Kitamae-bune trade network—alongside representations of Bezaisen ships and Takasebune boats.
Horaishun
A clear soup-based zoni (traditional Japanese New Year’s soup) made with kombu (kelp) that is served in conjunction with the Saidaiji Eyo Festival.
Bezaisen model
A model of the Bezaisen ship Kinkomaru, owned by Maruno Koukichirou, who conducted business with the Kitakaze family—Hyogo’s leading shipping agents at a key port of the Kitamae-bune trade network.
Ship chest
A chest of drawers used for shipping and still remaining in the area.
Hikifuda
A signboard of a local sake brewery depicting a Kitamae-bune.
Ship name amount
A plaque showing the name of a ship owned by a local shipping wholesaler.
