Excess product wasn’t the only reason that there was a decline in Takehara salt sales. Another factor was the extreme surge in the price of wood, which was necessary as fuel for the kettles that boiled the salt water. As the forests in the area dwindled, there was less wood to go around, causing a spike in the price of firewood.
The Matsusaka family took the brunt of that decline. They were firewood merchants who had expanded their business to offer shipping services as well. When coal was on the rise, in anticipation of coming changes, they decided to switch from selling firewood to coal.
And so, the Matsusaka family skilfully rode the waves of the changing times and found prosperity. This sort of flexibility was perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of the merchants of Takehara.
If you look up, you’ll see a large roof with a gentle curve. This shape is known as “teri-mukuri,” and it was a costly construction that was only used for temples. The teri-mukuri roof is prone to leaks when it rains, but this sacrifice of practicality made in choosing this style of roof shows just how proud and aesthetically-minded the Matsusaka family were.
Though the Matsusaka family saw extravagant success, there were certainly families that couldn’t keep up with the changing times. What path did those families take? Let’s not forget about those who were stuck in the shadows of the successful families as we continue to walk through the town.