尾道水道が紡いだ中世からの箱庭的都市、尾道は日本遺産! 【尾道・文化紀行2】

新型コロナウィルスが発生し世界を席巻するまでは、海外からの観光客の、日本の見たい観光地は「世界遺産」に認定されているところが多いのは言うまでもない。それだけ世界遺産への世界的な価値概念は非常に高い。だから、国内外に問わず、随所で世界遺産の登録への準備、活動は盛んなようである。

 

It goes without saying that many tourist destinations that foreign tourists want to see in Japan have been designated as "World Heritage Sites" until the outbreak of the new coronavirus and sweeping the world. The concept of global value for World Heritage is very high. Therefore, it seems that preparations and activities for registration as a World Heritage Site are active everywhere, both in Japan and overseas.

 

先日、広島県尾道市から尾道観光大志(使)の名刺が送られてきた。今年の8月から一年間大志を仰せつかり、微力ながら尾道のPRに少しでもお役に立てればと思っている。しかしながら高校生活の3年間を尾道(向島)で過ごした程度なので、尾道に造詣が深いわけではない。

この度の大志任命を機会に、懐かしむように尾道を調べてみると、最初に目に飛び込んできた情報が、尾道は「日本遺産」に認定されているということ。その驚きと共に、恥ずかしながら日本遺産の知識が皆無といっていいほど乏しかった。

 

The other day, a business card of Onomichi Tourism Taishi was sent from Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. From August of this year, I have been aiming for a year, and I hope that it will be of some help to the PR of Onomichi. However, since l spent three years in high school in Onomichi (Mukaishima), l do not have a deep knowledge of Onomichi.

Taking the opportunity of this appointment, I looked up Onomichi with nostalgia, and the first information that came to my eyes was that Onomichi was certified as a "Japan Heritage". Along with that surprise, I was ashamed to say that I had almost no knowledge of Japan Heritage.

 

 

日本遺産については、随所に尋ねてみても残念ながら “日本遺産ってあるの?” という答えが返ってくるほど。世界遺産に比べ、その知名度がきわめて低いのは否めない。

現在、日本全国に108カ所が認定されているようだ。

尾道は、というと日本遺産が創設された平成27年度に「尾道水道が紡いだ中世からの箱庭的都市」という内容で認定された。

 

As for Japan Heritage, unfortunately, even if I ask everywhere, the answer is "Is there Japan Heritage?" It is undeniable that its name is extremely low compared to World Heritage Sites. Currently, it seems that 108 places have been certified all over Japan.

Onomichi was certified as "a city like a garden from the Middle Ages spun by Onomichi Suido" in 2015 when the Japanese heritage was founded.

 

 

そのストーリーは、尾道三山と対岸の島に囲まれた尾道は、町の中心を通る「海の川」とも言うべき尾道水道の恵みによって、中世の開港以来、瀬戸内随一の良港として繁栄し、人・もの・財が集積した。その結果、尾道三山と尾道水道の間の限られた生活空間に多くの寺社や庭園、住宅が造られ、それらを結ぶ入り組んだ路地・坂道とともに中世から近代の趣を今に残す箱庭的都市が生み出された。迷路に迷い込んだかのような路地や、坂道を抜けた先に突如として広がる風景は、限られた空間ながら実に様々な顔を見せ、今も昔も多くの人を惹きつけてやまない。(尾道市ホームページより転用)

 

The story is that Onomichi, which is surrounded by the three mountains of Onomichi and the islands on the opposite bank, has prospered as the best port in Setouchi since the opening of the port in the Middle Ages, thanks to the blessings of the Onomichi Channel, which can be called the "sea river" that passes through the center of the town. People, things, and goods have accumulated. As a result, many temples, shrines, gardens, and houses were built in the limited living space between Onomichi Sanzan and Onomichi Suido, and along with the intricate alleys and slopes that connect them, a box garden-like city that retains the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and modern times. Was created. The alleys that seem to get lost in the maze and the scenery that suddenly spreads beyond the slope show various faces in spite of the limited space, and it has attracted many people even now and in the past. (Diverted from the Onomichi City website)

 

 

少しずつではあるが、尾道の歴史や文化、そして暮らしなどを紹介していきたいと思っている。次回は、「日本遺産」について。

 

I would like to introduce the history, culture, and lifestyle of Onomichi, albeit little by little. Next time, I will write about "Japan Heritage".

 

リポート & 写真 / 渡邉雄二　Reported & Photos by Yuji Watanabe