壬生一里塚 | |
 Mibu Ichirizuka | |
  Mibu Ichirizuka Show map of Tochigi Prefecture Mibu Ichirizuka (Japan) Show map of Japan | |
| Location | Mibu, Tochigi,Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Kantō region |
| Coordinates | 36°24′57″N139°48′12″E / 36.41583°N 139.80333°E /36.41583; 139.80333 |
| History | |
| Periods | Edo period |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | Yes |
TheMibu Ichirizuka (壬生一里塚) is a historic Japanese distance marker akin to amilestone, originally comprising a pair of earthen mounds located in what is now part of the town ofMibu,Tochigi Prefecture in the northernKantō region ofJapan. It was designated aNational Historic Site of Japan in 1928.[1]
During theEdo period theTokugawa shogunate establishedichirizuka onmajor roads, enabling calculation both of distance travelled and of the charge for transportation bykago orpalanquin.[2] These mounds denoted the distance inri (3.927 kilometres (2.440 mi)) toNihonbashi, the "Bridge of Japan", erected inEdo in 1603.[3] They were typically planted with anenoki orJapanese red pine to provide shelter for travelers. Since theMeiji period, most of theichirizuka have disappeared, having been destroyed by the elements, modern highway construction and urban encroachment. In 1876, the "Ichirizuka Abolition decree" was issued by theMeiji government and many were demolished at that time. Currently, 17 survivingichirizuka are designated as national historic sites.
In the case of the Mibu Ichirizuka, the mounds flanked theNikkō Kaidō (日光街道), and were 23ri (approximately 90 kilometers) from Nihonbashi. The Nikkō Kaidō was one of theEdo Five Routes and it was built to connectEdo with thetemple-shrine complex of Nikkō for pilgrimages by theShōgun and majordaimyō. Only one of the original pair of mounds of Mibu Ichirizuka survives. Each originally occupied a square that was nine meters on a side, the survivor has collapsed into a circular shape due to rain and exposure to the elements for centuries, and now measures about five meters in diameter with height of two meters.
Due to the road renovation carried out in 1884, the main route of what was once the Nikkō Kaidō was relocated to the east, becomingJapan National Route 4. The original highway deteriorated into a village road, and thus thisichirizuka was spared from demolition. The Mibu Ichirizuka is about 10 minutes on foot fromMibu Station on theTōbu RailwayUtsunomiya Line.