Understand/See
The Mitamura Family Garden, a designated national scenic spot, is located in the Otaki district, where traditional paper mills are concentrated.The Mitamura family, who owned the garden, had been in the business of papermaking since the Middle Ages, and at that time monopolized the rights and positions related to paper production and sales in the area.The house contains many historically valuable documents, and the garden is a symbol of this.The pond garden, which consists of a built-up hill, a waterfall stone structure, and a central island, shows the influence of Edo and Kyoto garden culture as well as the prosperity of the washi paper trade.It is also known that the present garden is almost the same as that depicted in a colorful bird's-eye view believed to have been copied in 1871, thus inheriting the state of the garden at the end of the Edo period.
While surprised at the longevity of the preservation and succession of the art, Shiro Mitamura, the 39th head of the Mitamura family, has some surprising words to say.The only explanation for the garden from his predecessor was that “it was a good garden and he was keeping it.”
“It was not until he became head of the family in his twenties that he recognized the historical value of the garden.Since I took over from my predecessor who passed away suddenly, I have learned about it by unraveling old documents and talking to people who know the garden.”
To know the value of the garden is to know the rise and fall of the Mitamura family.From its firm position as a purveyor of shogunate paper during the Edo period, its position disappeared with the inauguration of the Meiji government.Although the company delivered gold bill paper issued by the Grand Council of State, the prosperity it had enjoyed so far had faded away, and it fell into a state of financial difficulty.
“If the business had remained well run, the gardeners would have taken care of it, and the landscape would have changed.However, he could not afford to hire a gardener at the time, so he ‘left it’ as it was.As a result, it was 'maintained'as it had been in the past.”
From the way Mr. Mitamura talks, it appears that he finds it interesting to look back on a family business and garden that was tossed about by history, and on his ancestors (the 36th generation) who faced and overcame difficulties.
Although neglected, the family business continues, with daily cleaning and snow hanging before snowfall being done by the family members.And now that Mr. Mitamura himself has grown older, he has come to realize the beauty of the garden and the view, as his predecessor said, “I left it because it is a good garden.”
“As the head of the garden, I am happy and proud that so many people are able to experience the beauty of our garden.”
The words of his predecessor were imprinted on Mr. Mitamura's mind and body, leading to his determination to maintain and carry on the garden.This desire, along with the history of Echizen washi, is sure to be passed on to the next generation.
Text/Miyuki Sasajima
