Sankan

There are three ancient checkpoints that were established to defend the imperial capital from the invasion of barbarians. These are Suzuka Barrier in Ise Province (Mie Prefecture), Fuwa Barrier in Mino Province (Gifu Prefecture), and Arachi Barrier in Echizen Province (Fukui Prefecture). It is thought that Suzuka Barrier was located near what would later become Sekijuku on the Tokaido, Fuwa Barrier was located at Sekigahara on the Nakasendo, and Arachi Barrier was located near the intersection with the road from Shiotsu, between Kaizu and Hikita via the seven-ri-half-pass. They were established in accordance with the Taika Reforms Imperial Edict of 646 (Taika 2), which stated, "Establish checkpoints along with scouts and defenders." In 708 (Wado 1), the Sanseki Kuni no Kami appeared in the Shoku Nihongi (Continuation of the Chronicles of Japan). In times of peace, kokushi guarded the area, but in the event of rebellion, abdication, the death of the emperor, retired emperor, or empress, or the death of a regent or chancellor, the imperial court dispatched kogenshi to guard the area. After the area was abolished in 789 (Enryaku 8), Awatari Barrier was replaced by Osaka Barrier and the area came to be known as the Sanko Barrier.

[Hiroshi Tanaami]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

夷狄(いてき)の侵入から帝都を防衛するために置かれた古代の三つの関所。伊勢(いせ)国（三重県）鈴鹿(すずか)関、美濃(みの)国（岐阜県）不破(ふわ)関、越前(えちぜん)国（福井県）愛発(あらち)関がこれである。鈴鹿関は後の東海道関宿付近、不破関は中山道(なかせんどう)の関ヶ原、愛発関は海津(かいづ)から七里半越により疋田(ひきた)に出るまでの塩津(しおつ)からきた街道との交差点付近にあったと考えられる。646年（大化2）の大化改新の詔(みことのり)に「斥候(うかみ)、防人(さきもり)とともに関塞(せきそこ)（関所）を置け」とあるのによって設けられたものである。708年（和銅1）には三関国守のことが『続日本紀(しょくにほんぎ)』にみえている。平時には国司が警備するが、反乱、譲位、天皇・上皇・皇后の崩御、摂政(せっしょう)・関白の死去に際しては、朝廷は固関使(こげんし)を派遣して固めさせた。789年（延暦8）廃止されてのち、愛発関が逢坂(おうさか)関にかわって三故関といわれた。

［田名網宏］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例