ISEKATAGAMI ORIGINATION is unknown, although according to tradition ISEKATAGAMI existed as early as the Nara era(about 720 A.D.). However, I don't believe this printing technic was it developed until later.

THE SHIROKO EVERY SEASON CHERRY

EVERY THE SEASON CHERRY TREE in the Koyasukannon Shrine in the town of Shiroko. It is named thus because it is in bloom every season. Tradition says Isekatagami idea originated from this cherry tree bitten leaf.

Undoubted proof of ISEKATAGAMI's exisence is the painting "All of crafsmen" by YOSINOBU KARINO (lived during Muromachi era about 1500A.D.) . This painting showes craftsmen printting a Kimono pattern using Isekatagami. It proves the existence of an advanced printing technique at this times.

The first recorded Isekatagami was discovered in the Shiroko Suzuka area in 1595A.D. . Existant writings show reveal that Shiroko's craftmen wished to protect ISEKATAGAMI for the Wakebe family, the lords of Ueno castle (area Kawage).

Site of Ise Ueno Castle

This is the site of Wakebe family's castle. This place is now Honjiroyama public garden.

Shiroko became the territory of the Kishu feudal clan (Tokugawa's familys relations) during the Edo era (Tokugawa shogunate). Mie prefecture was the territory of the Toudou feudal clan at this time, though Shiroko was the separate territory of the Kishu feudal clan. I am not sure of the reason for this, but Shiroko had fine port and was an important center for traffic and trade.

Accoding to another authority, IEYASU TOKUGAWA (The first Shougun of TOKUGAWA) escaped from Shiroko Port during MITUHIDE AKETI's attack. In addition KOUDAYU DAIKOKUYA met with a shipwreck after sailing from Shiroko Port, and wandered throughout Rossia during the time of Edo isolation.

Guidepost of Shiroko Road

An antique guidepost still stand on Shiroko Road today. Siroko was an important place for transportation.

Kishu feudal clan was the Top family in the Tokugawa Big Three.@The famous ‚Wth shogun Yosimune Tokugawa was selected from the Kishu feudal clan. Kishu feudal clan had a lot of power. Isekatagami makers received "Money notes" "Licenses" and "Free passports" from the Kishu feudal clan , and traveled throughout walked all the Japanese region. This freedom and power had a significant effect. Isekatagami makers traveled freely through barriers, and the lodgiing and traffic rate became cheaper for their official business. They also recieved permission to carry a sword. thus ISEKATAGAMI developed and spread under the Kishu feudal clan's protection.

Site of Staied Kishu feudal clan's magisterial

@corner of Shiroko primary school now.

@In the Meiji era, new Isekatagami skills "MUROKARASI" "SHABARI" were invented, but the Isekatagami industry was slowing down. In the time of the pacific War, Isekatagami traders contributed to the making of war materials.

@After the pacific War, ISEKATAGAMI was named an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the Culture Protection Comittee (1952A.D.), and six men ("YOSIMATU NANBU" "KIKUO ROKUTANI" "HIROSI KODAMA" "HIDEKITI NAKASIMA" "YUJIROU NAKAMURA" "MIE JOUNOGUTI") were selected as Living National Treasures in1955A.D. , but only MIE JOUNOGUTI and her skill "ITOIRE" are alive today.(PS. MIE JOUNOGUTI expire on 2003.1.16.)

At present,antique Isekatagami is being used for modern interior decoration.

Please step into the world of ISEKATAGAMI.

materials:ISEKATAGAMI industry center diagnosis report

by MIE PREFECTURE