Shiowaku is a word that refers to complex tidal currents. This word is said to be the origin of the Shiwaku islands, where the Kasashima District is located.
During the Edo Period (1853 - 1868), the people of Shiwaku were known as Ninmyō. Following the period in which Toyotomi Hideyoshi came to power, the area was recognized as a territory spanning 1,250-seki (about 8000 feet), governed by 650 sailors working together. These men usually protected their own land, and they accepted the role of sailing their ships for the Shogunate when they were needed.
This kind of special governance was supported by the Shiwaku Navy. Rather than contributing to the country’s military force, the Shiwaku Navy shone thanks to the ship-building and sailing skills of its members. During the Sengoku Period (1467 - 1615), the navy served the feudal lords Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and during the Battle of Sekigahara, the navy was able to move quickly to let Tokugawa Ieyasu, another feudal lord, know the movements of the enemy. The information they delivered was significant enough to influence their chances of victory, and the Shogunate acknowledged the contribution of the people of Shiwaku.
Shiwaku was also home to carpenters. One out of every three homes belonged to a carpenter, and these men showcased their skills through building ships, shrines, and temples. They were eventually known as Shiwaku Carpenters, and they went down in history as skilled craftsmen representing the Setouchi region.
The strength of the islanders is something you can easily see in all of the stones you come across as you walk through the area. The foundations of the homes here are supported by massive rocks. The islanders moved these rocks, which weigh several tons, during a time when heavy machinery didn’t exist. The structures you see are proof of the financial and technical prowess these people possessed.
The Kasashima District has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and it continues to showcase life during times past.
