Teapot Journey - Chatsubo Dochu

This was the traffic of tea from Uji in Yamashiro Province (Kyoto Prefecture) presented to the Tokugawa Shogunate. It began in 1632 (Kan'ei 9) during the reign of the third Shogun, Iemitsu. The tea jar was carried by the head of the tea ceremony and a monk, and was accompanied by foot soldiers and soldiers to guard the journey. The empty tea jar was taken from Edo to Uji along the Tokaido, filled with new tea, and then left on Mount Atago in Kyoto for about 100 days before being transported along the Nakasendo to Edo. After the fourth Shogun, Ietsuna, the tea jar was no longer stored on Mount Atago, but was instead stored in a wind hole in Yamura Castle in Kai Province (Yamanashi Prefecture) and transported to Edo. Furthermore, in 1738 (Genbun 3) during the reign of the eighth shogun, Yoshimune, they were sent from Uji to be housed at the Fujimi Yagura in Edo Castle. When they were housed at Tanimura Castle, they left the Nakasendo at Shimo-Suwa and traveled down the Koshu road, but from the Horeki period (1751-64) onwards, they traveled down the Wada Pass from Suwa to enter the shogunate. The group, wielding the authority of the shogunate, were extremely tyrannical in their use of people and horses, as well as their resting and travel.

[Kazutoshi Watanabe]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

徳川将軍家へ山城(やましろ)国（京都府）の宇治(うじ)茶を献上する往来のこと。3代将軍家光(いえみつ)の1632年（寛永9）より始まる。茶壺は茶道頭(さどうがしら)と坊主(ぼうず)が携行し、道中の警護のため徒士頭(かちがしら)と走衆(はしりしゅう)が同行した。江戸から空の茶壺を持って東海道を宇治まで行き新茶を詰め、京都の愛宕(あたご)山へ約100日間置いたのち、中山道(なかせんどう)を江戸へ運んだ。4代将軍家綱(いえつな)以後は愛宕山へ置くのを改め、甲斐(かい)国（山梨県）谷村(やむら)城の風穴に納め江戸へ運んだ。さらに8代将軍吉宗(よしむね)の1738年（元文3）からは、宇治からそのまま江戸城内の富士見櫓(やぐら)に納めた。谷村城へ納めていたころは中山道を下諏訪(しもすわ)に出て甲州道中を下ったが、宝暦(ほうれき)期（1751～64）以降は諏訪から和田峠を下り入府した。一行は幕府の権威を着て、人馬の使役や休泊・通行などに横暴を振るうことが甚だしかった。

［渡辺和敏］

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