This location is connected to the Rai family, who established academics in the town of Takehara.
Rai Tadasuga was a local dyer who had one wish: he wanted his children to become academics. He had three children. His eldest son became a professor who grew up to give lectures in Edo. His second son became a doctor who eventually took on apprentices and trained them in medicine. His youngest son also became a professor, and he went on to compile books regarding the history of Hiroshima. All three of his children carved out paths for themselves in the realm of academics.
At the time, it was quite bold for a mere dyer like Rai Tadasuga to raise all three of his sons to be academics. The reason he was successful was likely because Takehara fostered a culture where academics were valued.
Buildings with connections to the Rai family, such as Shunpūkan and Fukkokan, still stand today. Shunpūkan was a space for scholars to gather and learn from each other, while Fukkokan was a business venue that financially supported academic endeavors.
So, let’s return to the first question. Why do the people of Takehara want to preserve the old townscape?
There isn’t a single correct answer to that question, but we can see that their desire to preserve the town may come from the dignity and price that comes from the town’s history of investing in academics. The historical buildings are not mere structures, but they are the fruit of the townspeople’s ancestors’ efforts, and they carry all the pride and knowledge within them.
