Contents / About Shiga

A collection of
COOL SHIGA articles
from 2018 to 201930

ColumnA SacredWorld Heritage
Site Watching
Over Lake Biwa
Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple

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22

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Chapter Ⅰ

Chapter Ⅱ COOL SHIGA articles from 2019

Chapter Ⅲ COOL SHIGA articles from 2018

Chapter Ⅳ

Lake Biwa, the Origin of
Shiga Life and Culture

Gastronomyof Shiga

Traditional Culture
Nurtured by History

Showcasing
Shiga’s Arts and Culture

滋賀の文化の源泉

滋賀の食文化滋賀の伝統的文化

滋賀の文化芸術

Stories from the Mother Lake

- L ife, A r ts andAbout Shiga 滋賀県について
Shiga Prefecture is located just northeast of Kyoto,at the center of Japan’ s main island. We’ re home to
Japan’ s largest lake, Biwako, or Lake Biwa, and tocommunities of unique culture and traditions thatdeveloped over time in harmony with the naturethat sustains our local cuisine, industry, andlifestyle. Scenic lake views and abundant nature
have been a continual source of inspiration for
artists. Since long ago when Shiga was known as
Omi Province, the area has been a junction between
East and West Japan, now seen by its historic sites
such as temples and castle ruins, as well as manyenchanting traditional towns.
日本列島のほぼ中央、古都京都の北東に位置する滋賀県。日本最大の湖「琵琶湖」を有する滋賀県では、水と共に生きる人々の知恵から生まれた独特の食文化、産業、暮らしが古くから培われてきました。
豊かな水と自然が織りなす美しい風景は多くの芸術家を魅了し、また交通の要所としても栄えたこの地には、歴史ある寺社や城跡など、情緒ある町並みが大切に保存されています。

- Cycling around Lake Biwa -福井

ビワイチ ～自転車で琵琶湖をめぐる～
GIFU
岐阜

Maibara sta.
琵琶湖

KYOTO
京都

SHIGA

AICHI
愛知

Nagoya sta.

滋賀

Kyoto sta.
京都駅

米原駅

名古屋駅

Otsu sta.
大津駅

OSAKA
大阪

MIE
NARA

Easy Access from Kyoto!

三重

奈良

京都からのアクセスも便利！

By SHINKANSEN- Kyoto Sta. to Maibara Sta. in about 20 min.
JR京都駅からJR米原駅まで約20分- Nagoya Sta. to Maibara Sta. in about 27 min.
名古屋駅から米原駅まで約27分

By JR TRAIN- Kyoto Sta. to Otsu Sta.
in about 9 min.

JR京都駅からJR大津駅まで約9分

38 Information
About Shiga

滋賀インフォメーション

39 “Scenes of Shiga”
Postcards

ポストカードCulture of S h ig a -BIWAICHI

FUKUI

02

琵琶湖を見守る世界遺産「比叡山延暦寺」

04

Biwaichi is a cycling route of approximately 200 km around
Lake Biwa. In 2019, the route was designated as one of Japan’ s
National Cycling Routes. According to the pace or level ofcyclist, lanes are separated to allow a comfortable cycling
journey while enjoying the scenery of the lake. There are also
numerous points of interest along the route where you can dig
deeper into local culture and history. Finishing the entire routein a single day is a good challenge, but spending 2 to 3 days at a
slower pace is recommended for a more relaxing immersion
into nature, or exploring more of the local food and culture.
琵琶湖の周囲約200ｋｍを自転車で1周するのが「ビワイチ」。2019年、日本を代表する魅力的なサイクリングルートとして、「ナショナルサイクルルート」に認定されました。走行レベルに応じて低速・上級と、２つのコースに合わせた通行空間も整備され、琵琶湖を感じながら快適にサイクリングが楽しめます。沿道には昔ながらの生活文化が残る場所や貴重な歴史遺産も点在。湖岸を走るだけではなく、自然や文化、食など、滋賀県の奥深い魅力を体感しながらゆっくりと２～３日かけて走るのがおすすめです。

Approx. 193km

KINOMOTO

約193km木之本

MAKINONAGAHAMA

マキノ

長浜

TAKASHIMA

HIKONE

高島

彦根

KATATAOMIHACHIMAN

堅田

近江八幡

OTSU

BIWAKO OHASHI Brg

大津

琵琶湖大橋

BIWAICHICYCLING NAVIBIWAICHI
Cycling around Lake Biwa Japan
https://www.biwako1.jp

BIWAKO VISITORSBUREAUhttps://en.biwako-visitors.jp/

03Chapter I / Lake Biwa, the Origin of Shiga Life and Culture

Chapter Ⅰ

Lake Biwa,
the Origin of
Shiga Life
and Culture
At the heart of Japan, in Shiga Prefecture, lies Lake Biwa, thenation’s largest lake.
It’ s been referred to as the “Mother Lake” since ancient times,
as it nurtured both nature and culture. As this diverse culture
grew and flourished in Shiga’ s rich natural environment, adeep connection with water became apparent in the uniquedevelopment of everything from food traditions to religion,
arts, and culture. For instance, the Lake appears as a recurring
theme in all local art forms, as can be seen in local museums
and performance spaces such as the lakefront art theater,
Biwako Hall.

滋賀の中央に鎮座する、日本最大の湖、「琵琶湖」。
滋賀の人々は琵琶湖を「母なる湖」と呼び、ともに生きてきました。
滋賀県には、琵琶湖を中心とした豊かな自然やその琵琶湖によって育まれた食文化、水の信仰と深く関わる文化財があります。また、琵琶湖を望むびわ湖ホールで創造される舞台芸術や琵琶
湖にまつわる美術作品などが多く生み出されており、過去から現在まで連なる多様な文化があふれています。
Okishima, among the rare freshwater islands of the world that are still inhabited by a community of residents.

世界でも珍しい湖上の有人島である沖島。

0405

Chapter I / Lake Biwa, the Origin of Shiga Life and CultureLife and Prayer with Water
水と祈りの文化Spiritual gateway of Lake Biwa at the floating torii gate of Shirahige Shrine in Takashima.

Mt. Ibuki in Maibara. Worshipped since long ago as a sacred mountain and home of water deities.

Annual Buddhist ritual, Isaki-no-Saotobi, in Omihachiman is a unique ceremony with a history believed to date back nearly 1,000 years.

The Shinto ritual, Yatsugasaki-shinji, of Hyozu-taisha Shrine in Yasu takes place annually in December.

琵琶湖上にそびえる神秘的な雰囲気の「白鬚神社」の大鳥居です。

修行僧が琵琶湖に飛び込む「伊崎の棹飛び」。“再生” を願う行事として約1,000年続くと言われます。

06

滋賀県米原市、雄大に佇む「伊吹山」には水の神が棲まうとされ、昔から崇拝されてきました。

毎年1２月の真冬に行われる「八ケ崎神事」は、野洲市五条にある兵主大社の伝統行事です。

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Chapter Ⅱ / Gastronomy of Shiga

Chapter Ⅱ COOL SHIGA articles from 2019Gastronomyof Shiga

FUNAZUSHI
A Genesis of Sushi Born from Lake Biwa

Unique geography and year-round humidity
gave rise to the development of a rich local
food culture here in Shiga since the historicdays of Omi.

The etymology of the word “sushi” first meant “sourrice,” and the cuisine itself has roots in a primitive formof sushi called narezushi, made of raw fish fermented
with rice and salt. Shiga’ s delicacy, funazushi ( “carpsushi” ), is the dominant local variety of narezushi, andis a version made with funa, or carp, caught from Lake
Biwa. In recent times, funazushi has increasingly drawn
attention at home and abroad as both a power food andlocal delicacy.

寿司の元祖、鮒寿司
滋賀の食文化08「寿司」の語源は「酸っぱい飯」で、米を発酵させて酸っぱくした「なれずし」を意味します。
「なれずし」の中でも琵琶湖でとれたフナを米と塩で独特の地形と年間を通して湿度が高いという特徴から、滋賀県には、漬け、熟成させて作る「鮒寿司」は滋賀県の風土が生んだ珍味。近年

古くより発酵文化が根付いています。

では美容と健康に良いパワーフードとして世界中で知られ始めています。

09Chapter Ⅱ / Gastronomy of Shiga

During the funazushi-making process.

鮒ずしを漬け込んでいる様子。

暮らしのそばにある田園風景。

OMI RICE

Eaten as a Festive Dishand Local Delicacy
The taste of funazushi can vary from year to year or even acrosscontainers within the same batch, depending on slight changes inweather, storage location, etc. since the fermentation is activatedby bacteria in the air.
In spring, carp are caught from the lake and pickled with salt, andin summer are put into tubs with steamed rice. Fermentation iscomplete before the year’ s end, so it became a local area tradition
for people to put out a spread of funazushi at the feast during the
New Year family gathering.

A pastoral landscape.

Grown with Blessings of Clear Water and Fertile Soil

Funa (carp) caught from Lake Biwa in early spring.
春先に琵琶湖で獲れるニゴロブナを用意。

Thanks to the abundance of water from the lake andsurrounding mountains, as well as rich soil filled withnutrients, the Omi Rice of Shiga has put us among the leading
regions of rice production in Japan. Rice farming in Shiga
practices pesticide reduction and organic farming methods,
not only for quality improvement but also for environmental
conservation, under the slogan, “Eat Eco Shiga,” which
encourages the consumption of these eco-friendly agricultural
products to support the Lake Biwa ecosystem.

清らかな水と大地の恵み「近江米」周囲の山々からの豊かな水と、養分をたっぷり含む肥沃な土壌に恵まれた日本有数の米どころ滋賀県。「食べることで、びわ湖を守る」をキャッチフレーズに、減農薬や有機栽培など、品質向上と環境保全を目指す米づくりにも力を入れています。

OMI BEEF

ハレの席で食べる鮒寿司

Top Wagyu Brand with a Long History

鮒寿司は空気中の菌等によって発酵が進むため、環境の違いでひと桶ごとに味が変わります。春に琵琶湖でとれたニゴロブナを塩漬けにし、夏にごはんに漬け込む。それをお正月の家族が集まるハレの席で食べるのが昔からの習慣です。

Funazushi making process:stuffing carp with steamed rice.
手作業でニゴロブナにお米を詰めている様子。

Omi Beef is acknowledged as one of the three finest wagyu
beef varieties in Japan. It has a long history stretching backnearly 400 years, when it was prepared as a specialty for
shogun and daimyo nobles of the medieval era. Many Shiga
restaurants serve delicious Omi Beef in a variety of dishes andstyles such as steaks, sukiyaki, and shabu-shabu.

日本で最古の歴史を持つブランド和牛「近江牛」
日本三大和牛のひとつ「近江牛」。約400年前より、かつての将軍や大名に献上されていたといわれる銘品。県内のレストランでは、近江牛をステーキ、すき焼き、しゃぶしゃぶなど様々な味わい方で提供しています。

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Chapter Ⅱ / Gastronomy of Shiga

The Origin of
Tea in Japan
Arrival and Growth of Tea Culture
Did you know the first tea plant was planted in Shiga? The story of
tea in Japan dates back around 1,200 years. Saicho, the founder of
the Tendai Sect of Buddhism, brought tea seeds back from China
and planted them somewhere near his Tendai monastery at Mt.
Hiei, which is now part of Otsu City, Shiga. This planting became
recognized as the moment that tea was first introduced to Japan,
and local tea farming has thrived here to this day, now called Omi
Tea, which is some of Japan’s finest green tea.

日本茶のルーツ
実は、日本で最初にお茶が植えられたのは滋賀県でした。お茶が日本に伝わったのは約
1,200年前。当時の日本は仏教を学ぶ留学僧
を中国に派遣していました。その中で、のちに天台宗の宗祖となる最澄が中国から茶の種を持ち帰り、滋賀県にある比叡山の麓に植えたのが日本茶の起源と言われています。

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Chapter Ⅱ / Gastronomy of Shiga

SHIGARAKI

Agriculture and Art from Ancient Soil
良質な土に恵まれた、
お茶と陶器の町「信楽」Some of the many uniquely designed tanuki statues.

作り手ごとに趣向を凝らしたたぬきの置物が並ぶ。

Shigaraki Warefrom one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan
日本六古窯のひとつ「信楽焼」

Vibrant tea fields of Asamiya Tea, Shigaraki.

信楽の茶畑。

Asamiya Tea
Premium Tea from a Perfect Environment
Asamiya Tea from Shigaraki Town, in the southern region of
Shiga, is a specific variety of Omi Tea known for its superb
quality and aroma, enabled by its ideal growing environment onmountain farms where the temperature drops down at nightand fresh clear water passes down through the granite rock.
Asamiya has recently drawn international attention allowing
more tea lovers worldwide to enjoy this local specialty.

The fertile grounds which nurture the quality tea of Shigaraki are also
at the heart of the town’s other industry, pottery known as Shigaraki
ware. This local craft began around 700 years ago when people madekilns by digging burn pits in the ground for large items such as pots
and jars. Traditional Shigaraki ware is defined by a raw, earthy texture
and warm scarlet glaze.

古くから良質なお茶を育み続けた信楽の土は、製陶にも生かされました。
約700年前、地中に掘った穴に火を入れる穴窯によって、壺や甕（かめ）などの大物づくりが行われたのが信楽焼の始まりといわれています。信楽の土から生まれる温かい「緋色」が信楽焼の特徴です。

A DIVERSITY OF SHIGA CERAMICS
信楽焼以外にもある 滋賀の焼き物
While Shigaraki is undoubtedly Shiga’s most famous producer of ceramics, it is by no means
alone in the craft. With a long and vibrant history of local art, culture, and religion, Shiga has beenhome to many artists and craftspeople through the ages. Here are a few more of Shiga’s notableceramic styles.

古くから焼き物づくりが行われてきた滋賀県。地域ごとに異なる風土や歴史、信仰や生き生きとした暮らしの中から様々な焼き物が生まれました。

朝宮茶
信楽の「朝宮茶」は、朝晩の寒暖の差が厳しい環境と、地層から湧き出る良質な水に育まれ、香りが良く美味しい緑茶の最高峰として知られます。近年では茶葉の輸出も始まり、海外に住む緑茶ファンの間でも好評です。

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ZEZE WARE

SHIMODA WARE

KOTO WARE

WABI SABI MADE FOR TEA

POPULAR WARE FOR EVERYDAY USE

A CASTLE TOWN’ S LEGENDARY KILN

膳所焼

下田焼

湖東焼

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Chapter Ⅱ / Gastronomy of Shiga

Ancient Trails
Transporting
Culture and Cuisine
Shiga, historically known as Omi, long served as an essential
junction point for a number of old trails, or kaido, connecting
various key pre-modern regions of Japan such as Edo (old Tokyo)
and imperial Kyoto. Such trails gave rise to many shukuba-machi,
known in English as post towns or lodging towns, including
Otsu-juku, Kusatsu-juku and Kinomoto-juku. Merchant shops andindustries such as breweries thrived in some such towns, adding
their own local products into the wide array of goods movingaround Japan along these routes.

食・文化を運んだいにしえの旅路
かつて近江と呼ばれた滋賀県は、江戸と京を中心に全国に伸びる交通路「街道」が数多く通る交通の要所でした。木之本宿や草津宿、大津宿など旅の拠点となる「宿場町」では、日本中の人や物、情報が行き交い、様々な文化が形作られました。醤油
蔵、酒蔵などの商家が栄え、近江の地を通じて全国に運ばれていきました。

Traditional townscape of Kinomoto, Nagahama, a former shukuba-machi post town.

長浜市木之本町｜宿場町として栄えた情緒ある町並み。

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Chapter Ⅱ / Gastronomy of Shiga

KINOMOTO-JUKU
Brewery Town
that Thrived on the Kaido
街道沿いで栄えた醸造の宿場町「木之本宿」

Shoyu
The Foundation of Japanese Cuisine
Kinomoto-juku is one of the aforementioned
shukuba-machi, along the Hokkoku Kaido
route in Nagahama, Shiga. Breweries for sakeand soy sauce particularly thrived here thanks
to the abundant source of pure undergroundOMI SHONIN

water from the Ibuki Mountain Range, as well

A National Legacy of Local Merchants

as long cold winters ideal for brewing and thetrade hub providing ready access to local
ingredients.
Shoyu, or soy sauce, is the seasoning base fordipping sauces, broths, cooking and muchmore. The only ingredients for shoyu are soybeans, wheat, and salt, which are thenfermented and brewed from active cultures
such as koji.
Even today, annual preparations begin every
winter in the kura warehouses of this historic
town’s local breweries.

Omi Shonin were a group of Shiga-based merchants who traded andtraveled throughout Japan from medieval to modern times. One iconic
trade practice was tying goods to both ends of a long pole, which wasthen balanced and carried from place to place. Many of the merchants
made fortunes running stores in big cities such as Edo, Osaka, andKyoto. Several of Japan’ s large corporations have roots in the Omi
Shonin.

街道を知り尽くした「近江商人」
中世から近代にかけて、滋賀県から全国各地に通じる街道を縦横無尽に行き来し活躍したのが「近江商人」。天秤棒の両端に特産品を下げて売り歩く

日本食に欠かせない調味料「醤油」のが典型的な行商スタイルで、江戸、大阪、京都などに進出し、大商店を

滋賀県長浜市にある木之本宿。ここは、伊吹山系からの伏近江商人をルーツとするものも数多くあります。

流水に恵まれた地です。冬の寒さが厳しく、街道沿いで原料経営するほどの成功を収めました。現代日本を代表する大企業の中には、が手に入りやすかったことなどから、古くから酒蔵や醤油蔵な
どの醸造業が栄えてきました。
日本の伝統調味料である醤油は、付け、かけ、煮炊き全てに使える万能調味料。大豆、小麦、塩を原料とする発酵食品
で麹菌などのさまざまな微生物たちの働きによって熟成されます。情緒ある街並みの中、歴史ある蔵の奥で、醤油の仕込みが始まります。

SAKE IN SHIGA

A Reflection of Nature’s Bounty
Shiga has historically been an important hub of Japan for bothland and water transportation. Thanks to abundant clear waterand an ideal rice-growing environment, many sake breweries also
thrived here in lakeside towns and along the historic trails, Tokaido
and Nakasendo. Some of the breweries still running today within
Shiga have an operational history between 100 and 300 years long.

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OTSU-E
Souvenir Art of the Tokaido
Otsu-e is a type of folk art from Otsu originating about 400 years ago.
Beginning as Buddhist art, the practice started as paintings of the
Buddha which used printmaking techniques for mass production,
making them more available to common people. As they were durable
and easy to pack, they soon became popular souvenirs for travelers
along the historic Tokaido trail.

街道のお土産「大津絵」
大津絵は、今からおよそ400年前に滋賀県 大 津 市で生まれた民 俗 絵 画。当 時、豊かな自然が育む近江の酒

高価で庶民が手にすることのできなかった

滋賀県は、水陸の交通の要所でもありました。日本酒の主成分は「水」と「米」。古くるようになったのが大津絵の始まりです。

仏像の代わりに、簡易な仏画を描いて売より湖岸の町や東海道、中山道沿いの宿場周辺に多くの造り酒屋が栄え、現在でも腐らず壊れずかさばらない大津絵は、旅100～300年もの歴史を紡ぐ酒蔵が点在しています。

のお土産に最適でした。

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Chapter Ⅱ / Gastronomy of Shiga

Sustainable
LivingBlessed byPure Water

Waterways fed by mountain waters, and shared by the Harie community.

山脈からの湧き水が流れる川。針江ではこの水が共同で利用されている。

The Harie District ofTakashima
水への感謝から生まれた究極にエコな暮らし― 高島市針江地区―
This satoyama environment of life in harmony with nature offers a
tranquil atmosphere and scenic views of traditional village life as you
stroll down the street admiring the traditional yakisugi charred cedar
siding, or the contrast of red bengara stained beams against white
plaster walls. Clear channels of spring water flow through the town
in a system designed for sustainable balance with the local
ecosystem that has lasted centuries. The waterways also connect toeach house with a kabata, or a basin for everyday household use
which is fed by spring water supply and overflows back into thechannels. The water keeps a steady year-round temperature of about
13 degrees. Residents use kabata for cooking, doing dishes, andcooling their farm vegetables. In the kabata overflow area, you willmeet the other residents, the local carp. They play a part in keeping
the water clear by eating algae and food residue.

People believe the deity of water resides in kabata, so the New Year
begins by gathering fresh water from the kabata, offering it at theirfamily altar, and then making the New Year’s ozoni dish, a soup withmochi and vegetables. The outer portion of kabata connect to thewater channels shared by all the households, so everyone is careful
to keep the water clean for each other, especially those who arefurther upstream. The mutual trust and care between residents help
to ensure a pure sustainable ecosystem. Residents in this village
strive to preserve traditional lifestyles by coexisting with nature,
which includes sharing the waterways, not only with each other but
also with the fishes and creatures as the water connects withsurrounding streams and rice fields. Therefore, washing in kabata isdone only with environmentally-friendly detergents made fromrecycled biodegradable oils. Keeping the environmental balancesustainable for all life ensures preservation of other local traditions
as well, such as making funazushi every year. Utilizing water andnature within the community while carefully ensuring a healthy local
environment enables a sustainable balance for the people, andmoreover, for all of the life in the area’s surrounding ecosystem.
かばたには水神様が祀られており、毎年元旦には若水をここからいただいて、まず神仏に供え、お雑煮を作って１年が始まります。各家のかば
たは水路で繋がっているので、上流の人は次の人のことを思ってきれいな水を流す、下流の人は上流の人を信頼して流れてきた水を使うという、

スギの焼き板張りの黒い外壁、漆喰の白壁にベンガラ塗りの赤い柱が映

お互いを思いやる暮らしが昔から変わらず続けられています。

える古い町並みが今も残される高島市の針江地区。透明な水で満ちた

針江で暮らす人々は、田んぼや水路に魚の通り道を作り、天ぷら油を再水路が町中を巡るこの地域には、湧き水を生活用水として使う「かばた」

利用した生きものに安全な洗剤を使い、人間とさまざまな動植物が共生という昔ながらの文化があります。湧き水の温度は年間を通して13度。

できる場を作ることで鮒寿司のような伝統的な食文化も絶やさずに守り続各家に一つずつあるかばたで、野菜を冷やしたり、調理をしたり、食器

けてきました。美しい水や自然を守りながら利用し、そこで生きる命をつを洗ったりするのがこの町の日常です。飼われているコイは、食器を洗っ

なぎ、自らもその循環の一部として暮らす。そんな人々の営みが、昔からて出る残飯や水中の藻を食べてくれるかばたの掃除係。

今も変わらず続けられています。

Cooling vegetables in a Harie District household kabata.
針江地区にて、かばたで冷やされている野菜。

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Chapter Ⅲ / Traditional Culture Nurtured by History

Chapter Ⅲ COOL SHIGA articles from 2018

Traditional Culture
Nurtured by History

Nagahama Hikiyama Festival
of Children’s Kabuki
Among Shiga’ s many ancient festivals, one of the oldest
and largest is the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival which
has been held in Nagahama City for over 450 years. It
takes place every April at Nagahama Hachimangu
Shrine, which enshrines the community’ s guardian
deities. The ornate floats of the festival have been called“moving museums” as they showcase stunning Japanese
craftsmanship through ornamental metalwork, wood
carving and sculpture, and other traditional handcrafts.
The highlight of the festival is seen on the float stages,
where kabuki is performed by children aged 5 to 12.

滋賀の伝統文化「長浜曳山祭 子ども歌舞伎」
古くからの祭礼行事が多数残る滋賀の中でも、有数の歴史と規模を誇る行事の一つ、
長浜曳山祭。長浜市の氏神である長濱八幡宮の春の祭礼に合わせて毎年4月に行われ、曳山と呼ばれる車輪付きの出し物が街を練り歩きます。飾金具や彫刻など日本の伝統工芸の技が結集され「動く美術館」と称される曳山と、５～12歳位の男児が演じる「子ども狂言（歌舞伎）」が見どころです。

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Kuroda Kannon-ji Temple Hall, Nagahama.

長浜市「黒田観音寺」。

Nyoirin Kannon / Ishiyama-dera Temple.
如意輪観音半跏像（前立尊）石山寺所蔵。

THE VILLAGES OF KANNON

ISHIYAMA-DERA TEMPLE

A Life with the Deity of Mercy

Sacred Home to a Statue
Seen Only Once Every 33 Years

Bordering both Kyoto and Nara, the historic centers of Japanese
Buddhism, Shiga is home to many Buddhist sites and relics. The
Kohoku (lit. “lake north” ) region of the prefecture in particular is
known as the “Villages of Kannon.” These numerous small village
communities have preserved their local Kannon statues depicting
the Buddhist deity of mercy since ancient times. While monks areusually the ones acting as primary caretakers for Japanese
temples, in these villages, that task has been taken on by the local
residents themselves for centuries. An example of the region’ s

The Eleven-Headed Kannon statue at Shakudo-ji Temple,
Ishimichi Village of Nagahama.
長浜市「石道寺」の十一面観音立像。

unique culture of Kannon devotion is seen in the medieval
Warring States period, when the villagers removed their temples’
Kannon statues and hid them in river beds or underground toprotect them from fires and looting.

Among over 3,000 temples in Shiga, Ishiyama-dera Temple is oneof the oldest, having been constructed during the reign ofEmperor Shomu (701-749). The temple’ s principal deity, Nyoirin
Kannon, is the only Buddhist statue to feature a chokufu, animperial seal which requires permission from the Emperor
before any public unveilings. The figure is an impressive
5-meter-tall statue housed in a small zushi shrine within themain temple hall. Public viewing only takes place once every 33
years, or in the year following a new emperor’s ascendance.

Todaimon (East Main Gate) of Ishiyama-dera Temple, Otsu.
大津市「石山寺」の東大門。

33年に一度しか見られない石山寺の秘仏
滋賀県には3,000を超す寺院がありますが、中でも大津市にある「石山寺」は、聖武天皇（701-749）の時代に開創した歴史ある寺院。御本尊の如意輪観世音菩薩

滋賀の人々と仏「観音の里」

は、像高約5mある巨大な厨子の中に納められた秘仏で、日本唯一の勅封のため、滋賀県には仏像が多数あり、中でも「観音の里」と呼ばれる湖北エリアは人々の生活

開帳には天皇の許可が必要。33年に一度、または新天皇即位の翌年にのみ開帳の中に当たり前に神仏が存在する全国でも珍しい地域。かつて戦乱の焼き討ちにされています。

あった際には、住職と村人たちが観音像を守るため川底に沈めたり、地中に埋めるなどして難を逃れてきたと伝わるほど、人々と仏との距離が密接です。

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Children walking home outside the Kannon hall of
Okamoto Shrine, Odani Yono Village of Nagahama.

The temple is located along the Seta River,the only outlet of Lake Biwa.

長浜市「岡本神社」。人々の暮らしに信仰が根付く。

琵琶湖から唯一外へ流れ出る瀬田川沿いに建つ。

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Chapter Ⅲ / Traditional Culture Nurtured by History

HIKONE CASTLE

A Cultural Asset Boasting 400 Years of History
Hikone Castle has around 400 years of history since its construction to serve as theresidence of the Ii clan, the daimyo feudal lords who governed the Hikone region
during the Edo period (1603-1867). Although many Japanese castles were burned downin battles or dismantled, this castle is one of just a few that remain as they stood attheir construction centuries ago. The tenshu (castle tower), tsuke-yagura (connecting
tower), and tamon-yagura (hall turrets) are important cultural assets listed as National
Treasures of especially high cultural and academic value. Together with other castles
such as the World Heritage Himeji Castle, it is known as one of the five National
Treasure castles of Japan.

400年の歴史を誇る文化財「彦根城」
江戸時代に彦根を治めた大名・井伊家の居城として築城され約400年もの歴史を持つ彦根城。戦で焼け落ち、解体される城が多い日本で、築城当時の姿を留める数少ない城。中でも、天守、附櫓と多聞櫓は、国宝に指定され、世界遺産の姫路城などと合わせて “日本の国宝五城” と呼ばれています。

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Chapter Ⅲ / Traditional Culture Nurtured by History

鎧

AKAZONAE

A Castle Remaining
from Ancient Scenery

The Valor of the Ii Clan's Red Armor
武勇を誇る「井伊の赤備え」

Tracing the History of Hikone Castle

Kacchu refers to the set of armor and helmet worn to protect oneself in battle. The Ii clan
troops are known for their characteristic vermillion red armor, worn by all of the clan from thehead down to the retainers. The uniform of red armor is known as “Ii no Akazonae " (lit. Ii
clan’s red armor). It continued unchanged through the Edo period (1603-1867), and the fully red
Akazonae style was handed down to future ages as a symbol of strong troops.

彦根城の歴史を辿る

敵から身を守るために着ける鎧や兜などの「甲冑」。井伊家の部隊は、当主から家臣まで軍装を朱色で統一した「井伊の赤備え」と呼ばれる特徴があります。江戸時代を通じて変わらず、後世に武勇の誉れの象徴として語り継がれました。

忍

NINJA

—Masters of Skill and Knowledge—
忍者 ― 技術と知識を備えたプロ集団 ―Genkyu-en Garden of Hikone Castle.

彦根城「玄宮楽々園」。

In addition to elements shared by many Japanese castles, theconstruction of Hikone Castle is also replete with uniqueingenious features to keep enemies out, such as nobori-ishigaki(vertical stone walls) and ohorikiri (dry moat). Down below themain keep is an annex to the castle, the Keyaki Goten Palace, once
the residence of the daimyo, as well as the magnificent Genkyuen
Japanese Garden, where you can be transported back in time to anenchanting life of daimyo luxury that came with the newfoundpeace of a unified Japan in the Edo period.
彦根城の造りは、日本の近世城郭の基本的な構造に加え、登り石垣や大堀切など敵の侵入を阻む工夫を随所に取り入れた秀逸なものです。また、下屋敷・槻御殿と広大な日本庭園・玄宮園を有する「玄宮楽々園」では、戦のない時代を迎えた藩主た

The basis of the modern ninja interpretation is the people called shinobi who operated in thevillages of Koka in Shiga prefecture and Iga in Mie prefecture from the Muromachi period(1336-1573) into the Edo period (1603-1867) . Their primary missions were to safely gather andretrieve information. Their true missions were to return home safely with information. They
were elite groups, possessing skills and information-gathering techniques that far exceeded
the everyday knowledge of the time. The villages were surrounded by highways that brought
in information and goods, leading to cultural development, and many temples of Tendaishu
and Shugendo religion that taught reading and writing. This allowed the villages to produce
many people well versed in the pen and the sword, and the legends that they were active on
battleﬁelds near and far are still passed down today.

忍者の元となったのは、室町から江戸時代頃にかけて活躍した滋賀県甲賀と三重県伊賀の里の “忍” と呼ばれた人々。常識を卓越した技術や情報力を持つ精鋭集団で、彼らの目的は情報を持ち帰ることでした。
里の周辺が、街道を経て情報や物資が集まる文化的に進んだ地であり、読み書きを教える寺院が多数あったことで、文武ともに優れた人材が多く育ち、各地の戦などで活躍したと語り継がれます。
10-meter-high castle wall.

10ｍ以上に及ぶ石垣の上に築かれている。

ちの優雅な暮らしぶりに触れることもできます。

Genkyu-en Garden tea house.
彦根城「鳳翔台」。

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Column / A Sacred World Heritage Site Watching Over Lake Biwa

At this historic sanctuary of Japanese Buddhism, a variety ofmonastic practices are still observed today. We interviewed
Saiyu Hoshino, a senior monk at Enryaku-ji Temple, about one of
their key practices, zazen shikan (lit. sitting meditation to stopand observe), which has continued for 1,200 years.
歴史と伝統が色濃く残る延暦寺では、現在でも様々な形の修行が続けられています。その中でも1,200年続く「坐禅止観（ざぜんしかん）」について延暦寺の住職・星野最宥（さいゆう）さんにお話を伺いました。

- What is zazen shikan?
坐禅止観とはどういった修行法でしょうか？

H o s h i n o: Z a z e n s h i ka n i s a t y p e o f Bu d d h i s t
meditation practice in which the ﬂux of youremotions is halted as you look inward to balance
your posture, breathing, and mind.
星野：身（姿勢）・息（呼吸）・心の3つを調えるため、浮き沈みする心を止めて、自分自身を見つめなおす瞑想法のひとつです。

- What exactly is the meditative state?
瞑想とはどのような状態でしょうか？

A Sacred World Heritage Site
Watching Over Lake Biwa
Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple
Hieizan, or Mt. Hiei, covers vast slopes overlooking Lake Biwa to the east, and the city of Kyoto to the west. Atop this sacred mountain sits
Enryaku-ji Temple, an important cornerstone of Japanese Buddhism. The temple’s history dates back to 788, when Saicho, the historicmonk and founder of Buddhism’s Tendai Sect, built a thatched hut for his ascetic practices there.
The main temple building still houses the holy ﬂame, or “eternal light,” which was lit by Saicho about 1,200 years ago, and has burned
continuously without ever being extinguished. The temple and monastery encompass over 100 buildings and facilities around the entire
mountain. Most of Japan’s modern Buddhist sects branched off from the Tendai Sect, and many notable monks who founded such sects had
ﬁrst trained here. This is how the temple became known as the “mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism.” In 1994, it was registered as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hoshino: Imagine, for example, that you have a glassof muddy water. If you leave it for a while, the mud
sinks down to the bottom and the water on top
becomes clear. This is the image that we aim toachieve with zazen shikan meditation. To stabilize
the sway of emotions, we sit with proper posture,stop the body’ s motion, and breathe smoothly.

- And, this practice has continued for 1,200 years.
それが1,200年続く修行法なのですね。

H o s h i n o : O u r s e c t h a s a s ay i n g , “ p l a ce ove r
endeavor.” This means that endeavor is important for
p ra c t i ce , b u t t h e e nv i ro n m e n t i s eve n m o reimportant. Our temple is on top of a mountain, so it
can take half an hour just to get down. I think that
this environment has allowed the practice tocontinue for 1,200 years.
星野：心を依り所にするための一つの手段として、場所や環境も大事と言う意味の「依心（えしん）より、依所（えしょ）」という言葉がありますが、延暦寺は比叡山の上で 、下に駆け降りても20、30分はかかるお山です。そんな場所だからこそ、修行法として1,200年も守られてきたのではないでしょうか。

Meditation may not be something that tangibly alters or improves
your life. Rather, it may even be called unproductive; yet, it
polishes your spirit by helping you devote time for yourself.
According to Saiyu Hoshino, this simple goal may be the true
essence of zazen shikan. Zazen meditation is considered to be
the root of mindfulness, which has become a popular practicefor refreshing the mind or improving concentration.
坐禅したからといって仕事が進むわけでもなくカタチがあるものでもない。坐禅とは非生産的なもの。しかし、“自分のためだけ” という非常に贅沢な時間を使って自分を磨いていく。そういう一つのとっかかりが坐禅
止観ではないかと話す延暦寺の住職・星野最宥さん。仏教の座禅はマインドフルネスの起源ともいわれ、現在ではリフレッシュや、集中力向上のために実践する人も増えています。

星野：例えば、泥水はしばらく置いておくと下に泥の層ができて、上の方がだんだん澄んできます。そのようなイメージを目指すのが坐禅止観の瞑想です。心の揺れを止めるために、滑らかな呼吸で体そのものの動きを止め、理想的なフォームで座ります。

- How long does a meditation session last?
修行はどのくらいの期間おこなうのでしょうか？

Hoshino: Sessions for visitors last about 20 minutes,
but as monks, we continue this practice for 90
consecutive days in solitude. We sit for the entire day,breaking only for meals and bathing.
星野：一般の方の坐禅体験は20分ほどですが、私たちはひとつの修行として90日間、お堂の中で一人っきりで取り組みます。食事とお風呂のとき以外はずっと座っています。

琵琶湖を見守る世界遺産「比叡山延暦寺」
東には琵琶湖、西には京都の町並みを一望できる広大な山、比叡山。その山全域を境内とするのが日本仏教の聖地・比叡山延暦寺です。788年に天台宗宗祖の最澄が自身の修行の場として比叡山に草庵を結んだことから始まりました。本堂では、約1,200年前に最澄が灯して以来一度も消えない「不滅の法灯」が現在も大切に守り伝えられています。山の中には修行と祈りの場である寺院やお堂が100棟以上も点在し、かつては日本仏教各宗派の開祖達もここで修行に励んだことから、延暦寺は「日本仏教の母山」と呼ばれるようになりました。1994年、延暦寺はユネスコ世界文化遺産に登録されました。

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Chapter Ⅳ / Showcasing Shiga’s Arts and Culture

Chapter Ⅳ

Showcasing
Shiga’s Arts
and Culture

Established in 1998, Biwako Hall is a lakefront
theatre for the performing arts that hosts awide array of magnificent performances
including opera, ballet, classical music, andtheatre plays. The state-of-the-art facilities
feature exceptional acoustics and stage
equipment, particularly for opera, and havereceived both domestic and international
acclaim.
滋賀の文化芸術1998年に開館した「びわ湖ホール」は、琵琶湖畔に建つ芸術劇場で、オ
ペラ、バレエ、クラシックコンサート、演劇など、ジャンルを超えて多彩な感動のステージを届けています。特にオペラ公演では、細部にまでこだわ
り抜いた音響設備と舞台機構を有するなど国内外から高い評価を受けて
います。

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Chapter Ⅳ / Showcasing Shiga’s Arts and Culture

What isART BRUT?
Essentially meaning “raw art” in French, the term Art Brut is used todescribe an artform that relies on expression driven solely byinternal impulse, without regard for expectations or convention.
Shiga has continually been at the forefront of support for Art Brutartists and activities, with many local works being created in places
such as social welfare facilities.

Shiga Museum of Art Reopening
Extensive Collections Including Art Brut Works

Shinichi Sawada, Untitled,
Undated, Shiga Museum of Art.
澤田真一《無題》制作年不詳
滋賀県立美術館蔵「滋賀県立美術館」がリニューアルオープン！ アール・ブリュットもある多様なコレクション
Formerly the Museum of Modern Art, Shiga, thismuseum, located in a lush park environment, will
reopen on June 27th, 2021, after 4 years of extensive
renovations. The diverse collections span an array ofgenres from modern, contemporary, and Art Brut totraditional Japanese painting, kimono, ceramics, andcraft. The collection of American postwar modern art,
featuring works of such artists as Mark Rothko, is aparticular highlight, rivaling the quality of top national
collections.

アール・ブリュットとは？
フランス語で「生（き）の芸術」という意味のアール・ブリュットは、美術のスタイルや伝統、他者の評価や流行に左右されることなく、自身の湧きあがる衝動そのままに表現した芸術です。滋賀県では、先駆的な取組が進められ、福祉施設等における造形
活動の中から多くの作品が生みだされています。

緑ゆたかな公園の中にある美術館が、4年間の改修工事を経て、2021年6月27日に再開館します。コレクションの特色は、日本の現代美術や日本画はもちろん、着物や陶磁器などの工芸、アール・ブリュットもあること。マーク・ロスコなどのアメリ
カの戦後美術については、日本国内でもトップクラスのクオリ

Shinichi Sawada, Untitled,2011-12, Shiga Museum of Art.
澤田真一《無題》2011-2012年
滋賀県立美術館蔵

ティを誇ります。

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Chapter Ⅳ / Showcasing Shiga’s Arts and Culture

Distinctively Unique Art Museums of Shiga
個性的な美術・美術館

Scenes of Culture in Shiga
滋賀発のカルチャー

The Sacred Placeof Karuta
The Hyakunin-Isshu is an anthology of one hundred famous
Japanese waka (a classical form of poetry), and it’s also thename of a game that compiles these poems into a deck ofcards. Since the Hyakunin-Isshu includes references to many
locations in Shiga, Otsu City’ s Omi Jingu Shrine became
known as the “sacred place of karuta.” Each January, thenational competitive karuta championships to determine the
Meijin and Queen are held at the shrine’s Omi Kangakukan
hall. The shrine has recently attracted global attention forappearing as one of the main settings in Chihayafuru, aninternationally-acclaimed anime about the world ofcompetitive karuta. Subsequently, international tournaments
also took place at Omi Jingu Shrine in November of 2018and 2019, during which exciting matches were held between
participants from all over the world.

かるたの聖地
百人一首かるたには滋賀県ゆかりの歌が多くあり、大津市の「近江神宮」は"かるたの聖地"ともいわれ、境内にある近江勧学館では、例年
BIWAKO BIENNALE 2020
BIWAKOビエンナーレ2020

競技かるたの日本一を決める、名人位・クイーン位決定戦が開催されています。また、近江神宮は、競技かるたを題材として世界的にも人気となったアニメ「ちはやふる」の舞台としても知られています。2018
年、2019年には、競技かるた世界大会が開催され、熱い戦いが繰りMany of Shiga’s art museums also feature remarkable and unique architecture. For example, the MIHO MUSEUM (Koka City) has a“Shangri-La” inspired design, and the Sagawa Art Museum (Moriyama City) is often referred to as a “floating museum.”A biannualinternational festival of contemporary art, the Biwako Biennale, also brings domestic and international visitors to Shiga for an
exhibition where contemporary works are juxtaposed with the traditional Edo period machiya buildings in which they are displayed.
「桃源郷」をテーマに建築家のイオ・ミン・ペイが設計した「MIHO MUSEUM」（甲賀市）や、「水に浮かぶ美術館」とも称される「佐川美術館」（守山市）など、滋賀県内には特徴的な外観を持つ美術館があります。また、江戸時代の風情が色濃く残る町家などで2年に1度、開催される「BIWAKOビエンナーレ」は、国内外からも注目を集める現代美術の国際芸術祭です。

広げられました。

Shigaraki Pottery
Workshops
In southern Shiga’s Koka City, the pottery town of Shigaraki is
known as one of Japan’ s six ancient kilns, producing
Shigaraki ware, a distinctive earthenware recognizable by its
simple textures and earthy tones. In addition to the town’s
many Shigaraki ware shops and galleries, there are also
several pottery workshops available around the town, bothwith and without using a pottery wheel.

信楽焼の陶芸体験
滋賀県の南部、甲賀市信楽町で作られる信楽焼は、長い歴史を誇る
技法と素朴な風合いが人気です。手びねりや電動ろくろでの作陶など
MIHO MUSEUM, designed by I. M. Pei. ミホミュージアム

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Sagawa Art Museum 佐川美術館

本格的な陶芸体験が実施されています。

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“Scenes from Shiga” Postcards

BACK ISSUES OF

COOL SHIGAC U LT U R A L I N F O R M AT I O N G U I D E“Scenes from Shiga”
Postcards

滋賀の文化情報誌 COOL SHIGA バックナンバー

VOL. 1

VOL. 2

CASTLETEMPLE

歴代藩主の足跡をたどる

霊験あらたかな歴史ある寺

Telling the History of
the Feudal Lords

Komasaka Magaibutsu(Buddhist stone relief carvings), Ritto.

Autumn colors at Zensui-ji
Temple, Konan.

Wisteria at Sandai Shrine,
Kusatsu.

栗東市「狛坂磨崖仏」。

湖南市「善水寺」。

草津市「三大神社の藤」。

A Historical Temple with
Miraculous Effects

ENGLISH ver.

日本語版

- Red Armor- The Buddhist
Images of ShigaENGLISH ver.

日本語版

ENGLISH ver.

日本語版

ENGLISH ver.

日本語版

Postcard

薬師如来や観音菩薩に注目

武勇を誇る「井伊の赤備え」- Ninja- The Syncretism of
Shinto and Buddhism

VOL. 3VOL. 4

NAGAHAMAHIKIYAMA FESTIVAL

CULINARY CULTURE

神仏習合の痕跡が残る場所

技術と知識を備えたプロ集団「忍者」

Preserving a Past of
Probiotics

A Festival with
450 Years of History

清らかな水が生み出す食文化450年もの歴史ある「長浜曳山祭」

ENGLISH ver.

日本語版

- A Genesis of Sushi Born from Lake Biwa
琵琶湖が生んだ最古の寿司- Nihonshu- Sustainable Living Blessed by Pure Water- Sakamai Rice for Sake

- Life and Prayer with Water

VOL. 5VOL. 6SHIGARAKI

KAIDO

お茶と陶器の町「信楽」

文化を運んだいにしえの旅路「街道」

豊かな自然が育む美酒

水への感謝から生まれた究極にエコな暮らし

良質な地下水に恵まれ6種の好適米を栽培

水と祈り

Agriculture and Art from
Ancient Soil

- The Origin of Tea in Japan

Ancient Trails
Transporting CulturesENGLISH ver.

日本茶のルーツ～滋賀県からはじまったお茶の栽培～

日本語版- Kinomoto-Juku

Brewery Town That Thrived On The Kaido

木之本宿 ～街道沿いで栄えた醸造の街～- Earthenware Excellence- Shiga Culture Spread by Travelers- A Diversity of Shiga Ceramics- Architectural Sights on the Kaido

信楽焼～大物から日常の器まで～旅人が運び根付いた滋賀の文化

信楽焼以外にもある、滋賀の焼き物

街道の歴史を伝える建造物

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Postcard大津市坂本にある「日吉大社」の山王鳥居。

A collection of COOL SHIGA articles from 2018 to 2019滋賀県は持続可能な開発目標（SDGs）
を支援しています。

Stories from the Mother Lake

Cover Photo: Sannou style torii of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine
at the lakefront of Sakamoto, Otsu.

- L ife, A r ts and Culture of S h ig a -The floating torii gate of Shirahige Shrine, Takashima. 高島市にある白鬚神社の大鳥居。

Published by Shiga Prefecture / 2021.3
https://www.pref.shiga.lg.jp/

Some of the attractions to enjoy when visiting Shiga. (photo courtesy of Biwako Visitors Bureau)

滋賀の様々な観光スポット。
（写真提供：公益社団法人びわこビジターズビューロー）A collection of COOL SHIGA articles from 2018 to 2019

Stories from
the Mother Lake
- L ife, A r ts and C u lt ure of S h i g a -