Kyoto Seven Gates - Kyoto Seven Gates

Japanese: 京都七口関 - きょうとななくちのせき

A checkpoint established in the Middle Ages at the entrances to the seven roads leading from various provinces into Kyoto. After the Kamakura period, as manors developed and national finances became poor, a fixed fee was collected from users to pay for the construction and repair of shrines and temples, and the construction and repair of transportation facilities. This type of checkpoint was commonly seen in the Middle Ages. Such economic checkpoints gradually increased, and despite measures taken by the shogunate to prevent them, their number increased dramatically, especially in Kyoto, after the upheaval of the Northern and Southern Courts period. The Imperial Palace established checkpoints at the entrances to Kyoto as an alternative source of revenue for annual taxes and official business.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

中世に諸国より京都に入る7街道の入口に設置された関所。鎌倉時代以降荘園の発達と国家財政の窮乏化とにより，社寺の造営･修理や，交通施設の建設･修理などのために利用者から一定の使用料を徴収するようになった。この通行税の徴収所が中世一般にみられる関所である。このような経済的関所はしだいに増加し，幕府の抑止策がとられたにもかかわらず，南北朝の動乱以来京都を中心にその数は激増した。禁裏(御所)では年貢･公事の代替財源として，京都の入口に禁裏率分（そつぶん）関を設立した。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Kyoto Fuchishu

>>: Kyoto Insane Asylum