Nakoso Pass - Nakoso Pass

Japanese: 勿来関 - なこそのせき

It was a checkpoint on the Tokaido (Tokaido) road that was located on the coastal border between Hitachi and Mutsu provinces in ancient times. Along with Shirakawa and Nezu, it is one of the three checkpoints in Oshu. Its establishment date is unclear, but according to a decree from the Grand Council of State in 835 (Jowa 2), it was established over 400 years ago. It was originally called Kikuta no Seki (Barrier), but it seems that it eventually came to be called Nakore Barrier. The name was used with the meaning of "nakoso" (not to come), and it became widely known to the world through poems of the time. One of the most famous poems is "The wind blowing is like a checkpoint, but the mountain cherry blossoms are falling on the road" (Senzaishu), which is said to have been written by Minamoto no Yoshiie on his way back from the Gosannen War. The ruins are currently believed to be located in Sekida, Sekiyama, Nakorai-cho, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, but this is not certain.

[Hirakawa Minami]

Nakorai Barrier Site
On the mountaintop, believed to be the site of the barrier, stands a statue of Minamoto no Yoshiie on horseback and the barrier gate. The area is designated as a prefectural natural park, and the rows of pine trees along the promenade evoke memories of the past. There is also the Nakohira Barrier Literature and History Museum, which displays materials related to the barrier and Minamoto no Yoshiie. Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture ©Seishohmaru ">

Nakorai Barrier Site

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

古代の常陸(ひたち)国と陸奥(むつ)国の海沿いの境にあった海道（東海道）の関所。白河(しらかわ)、念珠(ねず)とともに奥州三関の一つ。その創置ははっきりしないが、835年（承和2）の太政官符(だいじょうかんぷ)によれば、そのときから400年余り前に置かれたとされている。初め菊多剗（関）(きくたのせき)とよばれたが、やがて勿来関とよぶようになったらしい。「な来(こ)そ」（来てはいけない）の意をかけて用い、当時の歌などに詠まれ、広く世に知られるようになった。なかでも、後三年の役の帰路、源義家(よしいえ)が詠んだという「吹く風をなこその関とおもへども道もせに散る山桜かな」（『千載集(せんざいしゅう)』）の歌は有名である。その遺跡は現在、福島県いわき市勿来町関田字関山の地とされているが、確かではない。

［平川　南］

勿来関跡

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