Originally, honjin were places
from which generals directed battles and, therefore,
were fleeting in nature. However, as commanders began to
transform the honjin into temporary lodgings
during battle and travel, honjin came to be
places where daimyō and other representatives of
the shogunate, including hatamoto, monzeki,
etc., were allowed to stay during their travels. Many of
the honjin were actually personal residences of
village and town leaders. As such, they received
official designations from the government and expanded
their residences to include walls, gates and other
features. General travelers, regardless of status of
money, were not able to stay at honjin.
This is the entrance door historcially to be used by only Shogunate, lords and officials
Mr. Koshimizu welcomes a visiting group from Kentucky for a relax lunch in the home.
As you see the "shogun" entrance and can see through the house to the garden in the rear. Near center in the picture is the family alter, containing items of remembrance of 51 generations of the Koshimizu family.
To the left of the "shogun" entrance is the guest living room which also looks out to a garden. Sipping tea and meditative time was routinely done in this room.
To the right of the guest living room is the sleeping room for Shogunate and Lords. Although this picture shows a table set up for the visitors that day, normally there is no meal table. There is also a secret passage behind the art connects with a passage where one can walk around the entire outside platform of the house. Both were used in order to not disturb the visitors.
The Koshimizu House
Yoshihiko (Jun) Koshimizu (Rob-san's Japanese family) is the 51st generation of the Koshimizu family, tracing his roots over 1000 years. The current house was built around 1850, during the "Edo Period", (1604-1868), otherwise known at the Tokugawa Period.
The house was built along the Saku Okan Nagasawa road and the border post which served as the check point for travelers on the way to Saku, an important strategic city throughout Japan's history. Today the road is part of the national road network known as route 141 and serves as a main commerce road between Yamanashi and Nagano.
The house was designated in "Honjin", the only authorized inn for nobles, lords and high governmental officials resting for the night before entering the pass for Nagano.
Throughout the house, there are many aspects of Japanese art. In the main guest room, there are drawings on the sliding panels and great works of calligraphy. Noted local artists were commissioned by the family to create a calm and serene atmosphere for the tired travelers. The travelers would rest up for the long journey through the mountain pass to Nagano.
The house was also the main center for farm activities for the Nagazawa area. It was the collection point for harvest, taxes, and information for the local people. The water mill and grind stones are remnants of daily rural life.
The house occupants practiced filial piety by paying their respects to their ancestors each day at the family alter and by visiting the family cemetery on special occasions. Filial piety is considered the first virtue in Chinese culture and is highly regarded in Chinese influenced cultures like Japan. In somewhat general terms, filial piety means to take care of one's parents; not be rebellious; show love, respect and support; display courtesy; wisely advise one's parents. When Buddhism was introduced to China, it was redefined to support filial piety. This carried over to Japanense culture. The Koshimizu cemetery is on atop Mt. Sekison-san located behind the house and is the resting place for all the generations of the Koshimizu family.
Nestled in the small rice farming village of Nagazawa, Jun Koshimizu has welcomed ApartJapan to conduct structured meditative retreats in his home where one can experience and absorb the spiritual energy that has blessed this home and it's occupants for generations. It is a place apart, where in the stillness of the place, one can still their soul, come closer to ones ancestors, become more connected with themselves and others, become more alive in the present moment, and awaken to a deeper relationship to all.
Sake is being warmed in freshly cut bamboo as it was centuries agowhile tea water is being boiled. This is viewing through a majority of the house to the guest living room and garden.
Enjoying connective, alive fellowship with Sake or Tea as was done culturally for centuries
Preparing for a lunch for the visitors from Kentucky. The space where the tables are set once was used for protecting the visitors horses. From it with the shoji open, you can see through the entire home south to north.
Cooking lunch for the visitors in the area of the house that once housed the Shogunate and Lord's horses.