Akiyamago

An isolated paradise located in the upper reaches of the Nakatsu River on the border between Niigata and Nagano prefectures. Administratively, the downstream areas of Kettou, Maekura, and Oakazawa are part of Tsunanmachi, Nakauonuma County, Niigata Prefecture, while the upstream areas of Koakazawa, Yashiki, and Kiriake are part of Sakaemura, Shimominochi County, Nagano Prefecture. This unexplored area became famous in the Edo period when Suzuki Bokushi of Shiozawa, Echigo Province (now Minamiuonuma City) wrote "Akiyama Kikō," and it is said that the Heike clan's refugees settled there. In the summer, there is a bus service from Owarino, Tsunanmachi, through the difficult Nakatsugawa Gorge to Koakazawa, and it is also a back entrance to the Naeba trailhead. Before the Meiji period, rice was not produced, and barnyard millet, foxtail millet, and beans were cultivated by slash-and-burn farming, and horse chestnuts, chestnuts, and wild vegetables were the staple foods. The old ways of life, food, clothing, and shelter still remain, and the area is said to be a "treasure trove of folklore." The house also houses a folklore museum. There are also hot springs in the house, Wayama, and Kiriake. Tokyo Electric Power Company began developing the Nakatsugawa power source around 1937 (Showa 12), and road development progressed with the construction of the Kiriake Dam. Today, Akiyamago is a recreational tourist area that can be traveled around by car.

[Hisao Yamazaki]

"Akiyama Kikō, by Suzuki Makino, 2 volumes (Reprinted in 1972, Nojima Publishing)" ▽ "Akiyama Kikō, Yasokusō, by Suzuki Makino (Heibonsha, Toyo Bunko)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

新潟・長野県境の中津(なかつ)川上流にある隔絶仙境。行政的には、下流の結東(けっとう)、前倉(まえくら)、大赤沢までが新潟県中魚沼(なかうおぬま)郡津南町(つなんまち)で、上流の小赤沢、屋敷(やしき)、切明(きりあけ)は長野県下水内(しもみのち)郡栄村(さかえむら)に属する。江戸時代、越後(えちご)国塩沢(しおざわ)（現、南魚沼市）の鈴木牧之(ぼくし)の『秋山記行』で一躍有名となった秘境で、平家の落人(おちゅうど)が住み着いたといわれる。津南町大割野(おおわりの)から中津川峡谷の難所を経て、小赤沢まで夏場はバスの便もあり、苗場(なえば)登山口の裏口にもなっている。明治以前は、米はとれず、ヒエ、アワ、豆類などの焼畑耕作と、トチの実、クリ、山菜が常食であった。昔の衣食住生活がいまも残されており、「民俗の宝庫」といわれている。屋敷にはその民俗資料館もある。そのほか、屋敷、和山(わやま)、切明には温泉がある。また、1937年（昭和12）ごろから東京電力の中津川電源開発が始まり、切明ダムの建設工事で道路開発が進み、現在は秋山郷保養観光レクリエーション地帯として、自動車で回ることができる。

［山崎久雄］

『鈴木牧之著『秋山記行』全2巻（復刊・1972・野島出版）』▽『鈴木牧之著『秋山記行・夜職草』（平凡社・東洋文庫）』

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