Interview with the curator of Nozaki's Historical Residence
I spoke with Tsuji Noriyuki, the curator at Nozaki's Historical Residence, about how the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse was used at the time and how he hopes it will continue to exist in the town of Kojima.
Established as the sacred lantern of Shiogama Shrine
Can you tell us about the background of the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse?
Tsuji
The Nozaki family's business was salt production.
In places related to salt, they built Shiogama Shrine, which enshrines the god of salt.
The Nozaki family also established a Shiogama Shrine near the current Kojima Tourist Port, and the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse was built as a sacred lantern to illuminate Shiogama Shrine.
It will continue to be a presence that watches over the land of Kojima along with Shiogama Shrine.
The management of Shiogama Shrine is conducted by Naikai Salt Industry Co., Ltd., which has Nozaki's Historical Residence as its registered headquarters, while the management of the lighthouse is handled by Nozaki's Historical Residence (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Ryuo Kaikan).
What is the significance of Shiogama Shrine to Naikai Salt Industry?
Tsuji
As the god of salt, we enshrine it with great care.
Although it is not open to the public, we hold a festival called Myojin-sai once a year.
Currently, it is held on November 2, where a Shinto priest performs a ritual, and employees visit Shiogama Shrine to pay their respects.
Next to the shrine's main hall, there is also a monument to Nozaki Buzaiemon and his eldest son Jotaro, said to be inscribed by the Confucian scholar Yamada Hokoku of the Bitchu Matsuyama Domain, which is one of the important places in telling the history of the Nozaki family.
A rare wooden lighthouse in Japan
I heard that the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse has unique architectural features.
Tsuji
Being a wooden lighthouse is one of its characteristics.
While stone lighthouses are common, wooden ones are rare. Additionally, it has a room for lighting, which is also a distinctive feature.
These aspects have led to its designation as an important cultural property of Kurashiki City.
I hope people will explore the town of Kojima, tracing the remains of the Nozaki family, including the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse
There is also a replica of the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse in the museum within Nozaki's Historical Residence.
Tsuji
Actually, the replica in the museum is slightly different in shape from the original.
In addition, the museum uses actual tools used in salt production along with replicas to exhibit the history of salt production and how salt is made.
If you visit Nozaki's Historical Residence and become interested, please make sure to visit the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse as well. It is about a 20-minute walk, making it perfect for a stroll around the Kojima Station area.
Walking along "Buzaiemon Street," named after Nozaki Buzaiemon, you can also see the Nozaki Buzaiemon Memorial Obelisk (the largest personal monument) and it is recommended to continue exploring Kojima Jeans Street.
Please give a message to the readers.
Tsuji
For the people of Kojima, the landscape with the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse may seem ordinary, but it is a rare cultural property even on a national level. I hope that as many people as possible will come to know of its existence.
While Nozaki's Historical Residence is well-known, there are many related cultural properties in the town of Kojima, such as the obelisk, the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse, and Shiogama Shrine.
Please learn about the history of salt production at the Nozaki Family Salt Industry Museum, and then take a stroll to the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse.
Conclusion
The old Nozaki-hama lighthouse is one of the cultural properties that make up the Japan Heritage "A different world entwined with the dreams of men who overcame the stormy seas - The Port of Kitamae and the Shipowners' Villages."
While the Nozaki family is associated with salt, I thought they transported a lot of salt on the Kitamae ships, but according to Tsuji, coal was traded more than salt in Kojima. You can find out how coal was used in salt production at the Nozaki Family Salt Industry Museum.
Please learn about the history of salt production at the Nozaki Family Salt Industry Museum and then take a stroll to the old Nozaki-hama lighthouse.
Articles about Japan Heritage in Kurashiki City
Data of the Old Nozaki Hama Lighthouse
| Name | Old Nozaki Hama Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| Address | 4048 Ajino, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-472-2001 |
| Homepage | Old Nozaki's Historical Residence |
