Fuwanoseki - Fuwanoseki

An ancient checkpoint located in Mino Province (Sekigahara Town, Fuwa County, Gifu Prefecture). It is one of the three checkpoints, along with Suzuka Checkpoint in Ise Province (Mie Prefecture) and Arachi Checkpoint in Echizen Province (Fukui Prefecture). It is believed to have been established based on the Taika Reforms Imperial Edict of 646 (Taika 2), which states, "Establish checkpoints, scouts, and defenders." During the Jinshin War (672), Prince Oama (later Emperor Tenmu) established his headquarters there, but no checkpoints were established. In 708 (Wado 1), the Shoku Nihongi mentions the Sankan Kuni no Kuni no Kami, so we know that they had been established by that time. In 709, when Fujiwara Fusasaki was inspecting the checkpoints (barriers, fortresses) on both the Tokai and Tozan roads, the Mino no Kami (provincial governor) was praised. In July 789 (Enryaku 8) during the reign of Emperor Kanmu, as the Ezo expedition was progressing, the three checkpoints were abolished as they were considered to be an impediment to traffic. However, in times of national importance, Kogenshi (envoys) were formally dispatched.

[Hiroshi Tanaami]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

美濃(みの)国（岐阜県不破郡関ヶ原町）に置かれた古代の関所。伊勢(いせ)国（三重県）鈴鹿(すずか)関、越前(えちぜん)国（福井県）愛発(あらち)関とともに三関(さんかん)の一つ。646年（大化2）の大化改新の詔(みことのり)に「関塞(せきそこ)、斥候(うかみ)、防人(さきもり)を置け」とあるのに基づいて設けられたものと思われる。壬申(じんしん)の乱（672）のときには大海人皇子(おおあまのおうじ)（後の天武(てんむ)天皇）が本営を置いたが、関所は設けられていなかった。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)』にみえるから、このときまでには置かれていたことがわかる。709年藤原房前(ふささき)が東海、東山両道の関剗(かんさん)（関所、とりで）検察のとき、美濃守(かみ)が賞揚されている。桓武(かんむ)天皇のとき789年（延暦8）7月、蝦夷(えぞ)征討も進んだため、交通の妨げとなるとして、三関は停廃された。しかし、国家の大事に際し固関使(こげんし)が形式的に派遣された。

［田名網宏］

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