This date marks the completion of Mitarai’s port, and the beginning of its history as a port town.
The oldest shrine in Mitarai, Ebisu Shrine is said to have been visited since the port’s original establishment. Sailors waiting for favorable maritime conditions would have prayed here for safety, favorable winds, and successful business.
The torii gate was built facing out to sea, as if to greet ships arriving at Mitarai. Try looking out to sea past the gate – you will notice what looks like a stone staircase. That is an Edo-period dock designed to compensate for the ebb and flow of the tides to make it easier for boats to dock. People berthed and hauled goods in and out through this place, making it the gateway to Mitarai. Its bustling streets awaited beyond this symbolic gateway.
How do you imagine the day Mitarai’s port was completed? Do let your mind picture the scene.
