Kanazawa Kosekishi and Morita Shien – Tracing the History of Kanazawa through the Kakinokibatake Area

Have you heard of Morita Shien(森田柿園), an essential figure in the history of Kanazawa. He was a local researcher who made a significant contribution to the history of Ishikawa Prefecture and Kanazawa, and his famous book Kanazawa Kosekishi (金澤古蹟志) is still highly regarded as a valuable source for understanding Kanazawa in the Edo period.

Morita Shien, real name Morita Heiji, was born in 1823 in Morita Village, Echizen Yoshida County(越前吉田郡森田村), which is now Fukui City. His family lineage took root in Kanazawa when the seventh-generation Morita Takeemon(森田武右衛門) moved to the Kakinokibatake area of Kanazawa(柿木畠). Morita Shien grew up in a family that excelled in both the literary and military arts, which influenced him to pursue his own studies.

Morita Shien originally also had an important job as the ‘family records editor'(家録編集係) and ‘storehouse investigator'(蔵書調査係) for the Maeda family. His job was to investigate the Kaga clan’s library collection, find valuable documents, and organize and compile them. It is no exaggeration to say that this laid the groundwork for preserving Kanazawa’s history and culture for future generations.

The best known of Morita Shien’s achievements is the Kanazawa Kosekishi(金澤古蹟志), written in 1891 (明治24年). This book is an encyclopedia of the history of Kanazawa, detailing the origins, history, and related matters of Kanazawa Castle and the castle town. The 34-volume Kanazawa Kosekishi contains a vast amount of information and is extremely detailed and precise. A revised edition was published by Heki Ken(日置 兼) in 1976 (昭和51年) and is still read by many people today.

Another major achievement of Morita Shien was the realization that Hakusan belonged to Ishikawa Prefecture. In the early Meiji period, a dispute arose between Ishikawa and Asuwa (now part of Fukui) prefectures over the ownership of the summit of Hakusan and 18 villages at the foot of the mountain. In order to resolve this issue, Morita Shien wrote the ‘Hakusan Controversy Chronicle'(白山論争記) and conducted a meticulous historical investigation. As a result, it was decided that Hakusan would be under the jurisdiction of Ishikawa Prefecture. This achievement is still a source of great pride for the people of Ishikawa Prefecture.

Morita Shien was an extremely diligent man. He was so devoted to his daily studies that it is said he slept only three to four hours a night. He was thorough in his research, closing his eyes to prevent his eyesight from deteriorating, and using a unique method in the editing of his writings. His writings and collected materials are stored in the Ishikawa Prefectural Library as the ‘Morita Bunko'(森田文庫) and many researchers and history buffs have access to them.

For many visitors to Kanazawa, Kanazawa Castle and the surrounding townscape are extremely attractive tourist attractions. However, knowing the history and origins behind them can make a visit even more meaningful. The Kanazawa Kosekishi, created by Morita Shien, plays a very important role as a gateway to understanding Kanazawa’s history.

For those who wish to get a deeper sense of Kanazawa’s history, a visit to the Kakinokibatake(柿木畠) area, where Morita Shien spent his entire life, is recommended. Kakinokibatake is a traditional district dating back to the Edo period, where Morita Shien compiled his works such as the Kanazawa Kosekishi. Walking through this area, with its quiet atmosphere and rows of old townhouses, you can feel the atmosphere of the times when he immersed himself in his research. Today, the area is not as glamorous, lined with taverns and restaurants, but it is a special place where you can experience the real charm of Kanazawa.

Knowing his achievements will make Kanazawa’s charms shine even brighter, and you will discover something new every time you visit. We hope that you will enjoy the history and culture of Kanazawa while experiencing the legacy left behind by the great researcher Morita Shien.

Map and Access

Address: Kakinokibatake Kanazawa Ishikawa Japan 920-0999