Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery and the Settaya town
Index
１．Introduction to the Kina-saffron-Shu brewery
２． Formulation of ' Nitarou world "(１) Fulfil with symbols of inviting good lucks and talismans against evil.
(２) Laying out of Kote-Es on the east-wall of the house
３．Japanese garden and annesx(１) Japanese garden of Kina-Saffron Brewery(２) Japanese Gardens in others near Settaya, temples(３) "Don't miss it" items in the garden and the annexe.
４．Extra edition in Settaya town (Guide text for guiding the Settaya)(１) The civil war occurred 150 years ago(２) Why the Settaya-area had avoided air-raid fire spreading(３) Three reason that brewing industry has been accumulated
What is the "Nitarou world"
Here are some trial thinkings.
I am pleased if you would enjoy and become convinced ofsome pieces of new knowledge.
The other information I have prepared.
MfG_E_kotee_embodiment_of_his_wish
MfG_E_comparison_KoteE
MfG_E_Blues-world_in_Kote-E

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery

2１．Introduction to the Kina-saffron-Shu brewery (C)Kasuga
These old buildings had been used as the Kina-saffron-Shu brewery,including headquarters, several brewery plants and warehouses,
house of the president's family, and the gorgeous reception facilities
with wide Japanese garden. Now a Kote-E house has been designatedas an Registered (National) tangible cultural property by the Japanese
government, the Cultural Agency.
In this Settaya area, there are seven Registered (National) tangible
cultural properties designated by the government.
The Kina-saffron-Shu brewery produced various medicated liquors
and wines about one hundred years ago.
At that time, import of a lot of foreign-made liquors had begun
immediately. Many business entrepreneurs in domestics had entered
the liquor-production business, in particular with applying traditional
Chinese medicines.
Mr. Yoshizawa Nitarou, the founder of the Kina-saffron-Shu brewery,
was just one of them, starting his Saffron liquor business in 21 years old.
He extremely worked hard and succeeded in the business and made agreat fortune in his lifetime.
The highlights of the buildings are, firstly, "Kote-E".
Japanese Kote-E is decoration method of walls, formed with colored
lime plaster "Shikkui" put on the covered white lime plaster onwalls directly with trowel, in Japanese "Kote". And "E" means a drawing.
This "Kote-E" building is well known as many-Kote-E installation on
one building, dazzling colors, and its sincere pray brought in by thefounder. Secondly, the uncommon reception house, an annex, andthe Japanese garden. Please find a lot of devices that the founder set
in order to not only enjoy business customers but also pray businessprosperity and consecutive happiness on his family.
And thirdly, several very rare wooden materials used inside the reception
house. Typical examples are black persimmon and "Yakusugi", Japaneseceder. Nowadays both are said impossible to obtain.

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery

Kina-saffron-Shu brewery

3

Fulfil all the buildings and the garden by symbols of inviting good lucks
and talismans against evil.

(C)Kasuga

I think one of the important ideas the founder, Yoshizawa Nitarou had,is to fulfil all the buildings and the garden by symbols of inviting
good lucks and talismans against evil.
The typical symbols in the Kina-saffron-Shu Brewery are Chinese
dragons and I-no-me. Both are considered as guardian deity ortalismans against evil.
You can find several Chinese dragons on the walls of buidings,
Byou-bu, and Ramma in the buildings including the reception house.
In particuilar, the Chinese dragons are guardien for Buddhism.
You can find a lot of I-no-me pattern inside the receptio house,decorating all the corners of window-glass.
I-no-me pattern is one of the oldest patterns in Japan, eyes-patternof wild-pig. It is thought as behaving as talismans against evil.

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery

Kina-saffron-Shu brewery

4

２． Formulation of ' Nitarou world "(C) Kasuga(１) Fulfil all the buildings and the garden with symbols of inviting good lucks
and talismans against evil.
I think one of the important ideas the founder, Yoshizawa Nitarou had,is to fulfil all the buildings and the garden by the following prays.

Inviting good lucks
Guardian deityTalismans against evil

Oriental ( Chinese ) Zoidac
Daikoku-Ten, Ebisu-Ten
Long-life animals
Chinese dragons
Guard of all the directions
Oni-gawara

Strong hope toI-no-me
Domestic and regional safety
Rare stones
Descendants prosperity
Rare woods, etc.
Business prosperity
A concept table is shown, based on an assumption that Yoshizawa
Nitarou thought there is a deep relationship among carp, Chinesedragon, natural stones / woods, and Fudo-Myo-Ou.
(１) First, carp is basically a fish having strong vitality.
Carp can live not only in clear water stream but also stagnant pond.
Then it is thought to be able to overcome all obstacles in any
circumstance, symbol fish of strength, courage, and patience.
(２) And that the legend, carps rising Longmen ('Ryuumon") of theYellow River would advance to Chinese dragon, has been left.
(３) Huge power within natiral stones, rare woods are overflown.
(４) Fudo-Myo-Ou is thought to be a Chinese dragon, liken to animal.
DragonFacility
Top roof of Kote-E house○
East face of Kote-E house○Ishou house○Garden○Reception house (Annex)○
Collections of the founder○Carp○(○ )Concept table about "Dragon"

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery

Nature PowerFudo-Myo-Ou○○○○○Stones, woods

Nitarou world

5(C)Kasuga(２) Laying out of Kote-Es on the east-wall of the house
Main theme : Guardian deities for directions north, souse,east and west

Background theme : The five elements philosophy in ancient China
With considering themes mentioned above, I thiink that this layout
might be only one chosen.
Under the roofs, two Chinese dragons exist, moving in the sky.
In the windows in the second story, two phoenixes exist, flying within wind.
In the windows in the first story, Quirin running on the land and Genbu
swimming in the water.

RulerDragon in "Oni-Gawara"

Sky

Brue Dragon

Brue Dragon

FireWind

Vermilion Bird(Phoenix)

Vermilion Bird(Phoenix)

Ruler of all heavens
East guardian
Moving to North sideSouthguardian

White Tiger

WestNorthKirin
Black Turtle
guardianguardianSame rank
as Dragon
Pictorial map of the east side of the Kote-E house(One reason of placement about the four directional guardians )EarthWater"Oni-Gawara" is also guardian living on the ridge to keep off evil spirits

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery

Nitarou world6

３．Japanese garden and annesx(１) Japanese garden of Kina-Saffron Brewery
The guest-house annex and the Japanese stroll garden adjacentto the annex were originally constructed about one hundredyears ago to entertain guests with a cordial reception.
It has about 2,500 m2, half-acre area, including stonearrangements, several pond, several Japanese garden lanterns,
and strolling paths, surrounded with a lot of brack molten-rockassembles of Mt. Asama.
There are a lot of trees, pines, Japanese maples, azaleas, satsuki,
and camellias. The garden is covered with and wetland plants offering
an extensive palette of beautiful seasonal colors.
Decorative ponds are no water, however these had provided aplentiful water from artificial springs in past days.
(２) Japanese Gardens in others near Settaya, temples
There are several temples near Settaya, particularly in old temples
built on the foot of the Higashiyama hills.
These gardens are all the stroll gardens regardless of the size ofthe area.
One of them, Japanese garden in Joushou-In temple was well known
until a few decades ago among not only parishioners (Danka) but also
nearby residents. In every year's Buddhist memorial service, a lotof priests had gathered and performed greatly in full main hall.
It was just like a large festival held once a year in nearby villages.
After the earthquake and wrong weathers in these years, the garden
has been restored by the efforts of the chief priest and his family.
The beautiful greenish garden can be seen from the corner of graveyard.
We hope we enjoy strolling inside the garden in near future.

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery

garden and annex

7(C)Kasuga(３) "Don't miss it" items in the garden and the annexe.
The garden and the annexe had been prepared for not only inviting businesscustomers but giving delight to various Gods and Buddhas. I'm sure the househead intended to get the Gods and Buddhas to bring the business and thedescendants prosperity, and the regional well-being by giving delight to them.

A. Garden(１) Large exquisite stones including miniature hills (築山を含む名石群) :Japanese gardens usually settle large stones as they look like real
mountains. Stones of Kina-saffron brewery are not only very expensive
and beautiful but aso they are believed that gods' spirits dwell in it.
The miniature hills show a overwhelming presence due to its size.
They had been constructed with large lavas in front of you, transportingfrom a famous volcano, the Mt.Asama, 200 km away from here.
Now two hills exist at the maximum height 15 feet, however in past days
they say ten hills existed and two of them were about height 25 feet.
(２) Japanese garden lanterns including stonse in its natural condition :A lot of Japanese garden lanterns,(山灯籠を含む、多くの灯籠)
in particular a natural stone lantern. This natural stone lantern is said
the family heat had cut and shaped by himself.
( chisel )(３) Buddhist sculpture : Along with Kan-non and Jizou, Fudo Myo-o
is one of the important deities of Japanese Buddhism.
Fudo Myo-o has a fightening appearance, however he is basically merciful( plenteous in mercy ), and he leads us from evil-world to the Pure-land.
You will find a small Fudo-Myo-o in a collection of Buddhist sculptures
displayed in the Kote-E warehouse, along with Seven Deities of Good
Luck and Hermit-on-carp.
(４) Special customer-gate and the Konpira shrine :The Konpira shrine is located adjacent to the special customer-gate.
The house head had done Kanjo (solicit) the Konpira shrine. This shrine
wsa thought as a a guardian of sea transportation. It might mean his willto sell not only in domestic but also all over the world.
(５) Others : Trees Maple trees, Japanese ceders, pine trees, and so on
Birds Large white egrets (herons), .Japanese pheasants, and so on
Earthquake damage occurred in fall, 2004

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery

garden and annex

8B. Annexe(１) Setting up with rare wooden materials :Several wooden materials, out of common and very expensive.
Part of them cann't purchased now because of scarce species or laws
and regulations list for nature conservation.
To name a few, they are ;Toko-bashira (polls) -- Rare wooden materials
Ten-Jou (ceiling) -- Suit-and-tie structure, or using rare woods
Ramma -- Rare wooden materials (Ramma is an openning ornamental
work over the screens which form the partitions in the house.)(２) Long Corridors : corridor in front of rooms in the first floor is madewith thick and large plates of zelkova(Keyaki), about 8 inches thickness.
Long log of Japanese cedar hanged under the ceiling, 60 feet long.
(３) Gougeous furniture including Biyo-bu (folding screens), Kake-jiku(hanging scrolls), Oki-mono (ornaments), and so on :The Biyo-bu drawn gradon is excellent. The face of the dragon looks
the same faces drawn on ceilings of Rinzai-Syu's temples in Kyoto.
Its face is not only awesome but also vigorous.
(４) Kumiko Sho-ji :Sophisticated outside door-sash not using nails oradhesive materials ,and covered with thin Japanese papers, or glasses.
Kumiko, Japanese joiner, is a unique interior for Japanese housing withfunctions to take just moderate amount of light, to breeze in the houseand to give sophisticated designs for affecting the atmosphere of it.
You can find the Kumiko Sho-ji in the outside door-sash of rooms faced
to south, the entrance, and so on.
For some designs, over 100 000 pieces of wood can be used, ever single
one of them having been carved by hand by master craftsmen.
(５) Others :Original Lighing furniture in Japanese rooms with the family crests
or his business markI-no-Me : A lot of hex signs against evil are placed all the corners of
window-glass frames in the first and second floor.
Japanese painting on inside doors or inside sliding doors
Marble sink and earthenware lavatory facility

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery

garden and annex

４．Extra edition in Settaya town (Guide text for guiding the Settaya)(１) The civil war occurred 150 years ago(２) Why the Settaya-area had avoided air-raid fire spreading(３) Three reason that brewing industry has been accumulated(１) The civil war occurred 150 years ago
Koufuku-Ji temple is one of the historical spot where in 1868, theNagaoka-feudal domain decided to outbreak the battle. It was one ofthe largest battles in the civil war (the Boshin-no-Eki).
Unfortunately after the half-year, Nagaoka town was defeated in the war.
In the first half of the nineteenth-Century, Japan worried about theevents occurred in China and India. (Opium war, Indian Rebellion )From more than 200 years ago, Japan had been keeping
long-year-isolation policy .
At that time, the Europeans were overwhelmingly stronger than Japanese.
Various countremeasures against invasion of the foreign countries group,
were boiled in whole country in Japan. And the increasing conflict had
moved into the large- scale civil war.
Around this time the feudal lord of the Nagaoka-Han for threesuccessive generations were appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Defense in the Tokugawa shogunate.
A lot of information about invasions of foreign countries including
Russia, Europe and the US is flown into the Nagaoka-feudal domain.
Therefore the Nagaoka-feudal domain had thought that japan should
prepare against these invasions. And thought that Nagaoka-feudal
domain shouldn't go to civil war inside the country.
Instead, he had insisted armed neutrality with war avoidance insidethe country.
On the other hand, new-government group insisted first on defeat of
the Tokugawa Shogunate system and second on preparation against
invasion of foreign countries.
The Nagaoka--feudal domain had tried to persuade negotiations with
the new-government group, however at last he failed in pacification
with the opponents.
And here, Koufuku-Ji Temple, the Nagaoka-feudal domain had declarewar. After half-year, the Nagaoka town was defeated in the war.
(２) Why the Settaya-area had avoided air-raid fire spreading
These area was burnt out by the air raid in night of 1st, August 1945.
It was the final stage of the World War 2.
Fire was spreading from the north and reached at the point of concretebuilding.

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery

The fire was stoped and the southern part of Settaya, today I am goingto guide, was remained.
The concrete building had built as a countermeasure of the very strong
earthquake, Kanto-Daishisai, attacking Tokyo area occurred 1923, oneof the Largest earthquakes in Japanese history.
It was the previous year of planning new branch offfice of a local bankin Nagaoka.
The bbildond has remaind, and now it is renovated as theTakashi Akiyama Poster Museum Nagaoka.
(３) Three reason that brewing industry has been accumulatedFirst, fundamental conditions for the Japanese Sake brewing are considered
to be the following three elements: water, rice, chief brewers.
Settaya is located approximately 1.5k from the Higashi-Yama Hills and 2 km
from the Shinano-Gawa River, so Settaya is blessed with high quality, rice,and low hardness water. Actually, Settaya is located on the fan delta-tip ofOhtagawa-river, of which the origin is the Higashi-Yama Hills, a short river.
And Niigata area has been well known as skillful S:e chief-brewey person
are there.
Secondly, Settaya area was ruled as a territory of the Zao-Shrine, under theauthority of the Edo-Kan-ei-Ji Temple of the Shogunate. So Settaya town
was out of control of Nagaoka feudal domain.
I guess the Settaya's commerce regulations such as tax system, the stockacquisition were weak, and the town was easy to do business.
Thirdly, regarding raw materials transportation of liquor and soy sauce,
shipment and route by land distribution route were important.
Thinking from this point of view, here was a geographical convenience with"Mikuni-Kaidou" and the Ohta-Gawa river. Mikuni-Kaidou was one of
the main country-routes to Edo, The Ohta-Gawa river flows to theJapan Sea, and was functioned as an inside-channel of the Shinano-Gawa
River, therefore the Settaya area was blessed with transportations not only
on land but also on water.
They said that "Mid-winter season is suitable for the Sake-production".
From winter to early spring, the Ohta-Gawa river has much quantity of waterby melting snow, so this area should have been suitable for the shipment of
new Sake in early spring.
Actually, flow quantity of the Ohta-Gawa river in ths area is considered tobe the beat condition, not too high speed, not too slow speed.

MfG_E_Guide text for guiding Kina-saffron-Shu_brewery