Kisoji
The Kisoji (木曽路, Kisoji) was an old trade route in the Kiso Valley (木曾谷 Kiso-dani) that stretched from Niekawa-juku in Nagano Prefecture to Magome-juku in Gifu Prefecture. There were eleven resting spots along the route, all of which became part of the Nakasendō when it was established.[1]
There are two stone markers that indicate the end points of the Kisoji. One is located between Motoyama-juku and Niekawa-juku and states "From here south: Kisoji" (是より南 木曽路 Kore yori minami, Kisoji). The other marker is located between Magome-juku and Ochiai-juku and states, "From here north: Kisoji" (是より北 木曽路 Kore yori kita, Kisoji).
Additionally, the early 20th-century author, Shimazaki Tōson, wrote about the effects of the Meiji Restoration on the Kiso Valley in his novel, Before the Dawn. He grew up in Magome-juku, hence his featuring the area in his novels.
Stations of the Kisoji
- 1. Niekawa-juku (Shiojiri)
- 2. Narai-juku (Shiojiri)
- 3. Yabuhara-juku (Kiso (village), Kiso District)
- 4. Miyanokoshi-juku (Kiso (town), Kiso District)
- 5. Fukushima-juku (Kiso (town), Kiso District)
- 6. Agematsu-juku (Agematsu, Kiso District)
- 7. Suhara-juku (Okuwa, Kiso District)
- 8. Nojiri-juku (Okuwa, Kiso District)
- 9. Midono-juku (Nagiso, Kiso District)
- 10. Tsumago-juku (Nagiso, Kiso District)
- 11. Magome-juku (Nakatsugawa)
See Also
- Edo Five Routes
- Other Routes
References
- ^ Kisoji Shukuba-machi Series. Higashi Nihon Denshin Denwa. Accessed July 24, 2007.