About Hida
Hida History
Shinshu-ji and Imamiya-bashi in Meiji period
People have lived in Hida for ten thousand years. In Hida City there are remains of a village that was established 5,000 years ago during the Jomon period. Until the 5th century, Hida was ruled by the Yamato Imperial Court. Many tombs were built during this time.
In 645, the Taika Reform Edicts imposed taxes on the people. The villagers of Hida went to the capital to work as carpenters instead of paying the taxes. Over 100 carpenters from Hida went to the capital every year to build temples and buildings which became legendary. The carpenters returned to their villages and used their new skills to build temples throughout the Hida basin. Today these skills are still used in Hida’s traditional arts and crafts.
In the Kenmu period, Anekoji Ietsuna was sent as a local officer to Hida from the Imperial court. During this time, Hida was ruled by three families: the Furukawas, the Kojimas and the Kotakaris.
At the same time, the Takahara area was ruled by Ema, and the Masuda and Ono areas were ruled by Miki. Soon Miki expanded his power to Furukawa basin. In 1531 Miki attacked Anekoji Ietsuna. Later the power of the Kojima and Kotakaris families declined. In 1582, Miki finally took over Ema and brought Hida under his rule.
In 1585, Nagachika Kanamori avenged Hashiba Hideyoshi’s death and attacked Miki. Then Hida was ruled by the Kanamori family for 6 generations. In 1692, Hida's government became a Bakufu which is a Japan’s feudal or military government. At that time, the officials of the shogunate were sent to Hida and ruled there for more than 170 years.
In 1868, Hida became the Hida Prefecture. In June of that year, the Hida Prefecture changed its name to the Takayama Prefecture, but in 1871 it was transferred to the Chikuma Prefecture.
In 1876, the Chikuma Prefecture was abolished and Hida was transferred into the Gifu Prefecture with a local government structure. In 1950, Funatsu Town, Asofu Village and Sodegawa Village were combined into one town called Kamioka Town. In 1956, Furukawa Town, Hosoe Village, and Kotakari Village were consolidated into Furukawa Town. In the same year, Sakagami Village and Sakashita Village were consolidated into Miyagawa village.
In 2004, Furukawa Town, Kawai Village, Miyagawa Village and Kamioka Town were combined into today’s Hida City.
In 645, the Taika Reform Edicts imposed taxes on the people. The villagers of Hida went to the capital to work as carpenters instead of paying the taxes. Over 100 carpenters from Hida went to the capital every year to build temples and buildings which became legendary. The carpenters returned to their villages and used their new skills to build temples throughout the Hida basin. Today these skills are still used in Hida’s traditional arts and crafts.
In the Kenmu period, Anekoji Ietsuna was sent as a local officer to Hida from the Imperial court. During this time, Hida was ruled by three families: the Furukawas, the Kojimas and the Kotakaris.
At the same time, the Takahara area was ruled by Ema, and the Masuda and Ono areas were ruled by Miki. Soon Miki expanded his power to Furukawa basin. In 1531 Miki attacked Anekoji Ietsuna. Later the power of the Kojima and Kotakaris families declined. In 1582, Miki finally took over Ema and brought Hida under his rule.
In 1585, Nagachika Kanamori avenged Hashiba Hideyoshi’s death and attacked Miki. Then Hida was ruled by the Kanamori family for 6 generations. In 1692, Hida's government became a Bakufu which is a Japan’s feudal or military government. At that time, the officials of the shogunate were sent to Hida and ruled there for more than 170 years.
In 1868, Hida became the Hida Prefecture. In June of that year, the Hida Prefecture changed its name to the Takayama Prefecture, but in 1871 it was transferred to the Chikuma Prefecture.
In 1876, the Chikuma Prefecture was abolished and Hida was transferred into the Gifu Prefecture with a local government structure. In 1950, Funatsu Town, Asofu Village and Sodegawa Village were combined into one town called Kamioka Town. In 1956, Furukawa Town, Hosoe Village, and Kotakari Village were consolidated into Furukawa Town. In the same year, Sakagami Village and Sakashita Village were consolidated into Miyagawa village.
In 2004, Furukawa Town, Kawai Village, Miyagawa Village and Kamioka Town were combined into today’s Hida City.
Traditional Performances and Festivals
Kamioka Matsuri
Hida is known for its traditional festivals and events. The three best known festivals
in Hida are: "Okoshi Daiko" which is a parade of powerful drummers, "Furukawa-matsuri " which is a festival of elaborate floats held annually on April 19th and 20th and "Kamioka-matsuri" which is a parade of 700 people depicting the Heian period. There is also a spiritual event called "Sanderamairi " which commemorates Saint Shinran and is held annually on January 15th.
in Hida are: "Okoshi Daiko" which is a parade of powerful drummers, "Furukawa-matsuri " which is a festival of elaborate floats held annually on April 19th and 20th and "Kamioka-matsuri" which is a parade of 700 people depicting the Heian period. There is also a spiritual event called "Sanderamairi " which commemorates Saint Shinran and is held annually on January 15th.
Hida's Craftsmen Called "Takumi"
Hida no Takumi Bunkakan
The houses of Furukawa City are built by skillful Hida craftsmen called "Takumi".
Under the eves of the houses are beautiful wood carved decorations called "kumo". The modern "Takumi" have been influenced by the cultures of Kyoto and Edo. Today, their experienced craftsmanship appears in festival floats, woodcarvings and "Shunkei" lacquer ware.
Under the eves of the houses are beautiful wood carved decorations called "kumo". The modern "Takumi" have been influenced by the cultures of Kyoto and Edo. Today, their experienced craftsmanship appears in festival floats, woodcarvings and "Shunkei" lacquer ware.
Art Crafts
Hida Shunkei
Hida is known for its traditional crafts and folk arts which have been handed down
for centuries from generation to generation. "Wa rousoku" is a Japanese candle that
gives off a subtle light. " Ichiitto bori" is a method of wood carving using chisels.
"Sanchu washi", which started almost 800 years ago, is a method of Japanese
paper making that uses a unique technique of bleaching raw materials in the snow.
"Hida Shunkei" is lacquer ware coated with a transparent varnish to show off the wood grain.
for centuries from generation to generation. "Wa rousoku" is a Japanese candle that
gives off a subtle light. " Ichiitto bori" is a method of wood carving using chisels.
"Sanchu washi", which started almost 800 years ago, is a method of Japanese
paper making that uses a unique technique of bleaching raw materials in the snow.
"Hida Shunkei" is lacquer ware coated with a transparent varnish to show off the wood grain.
Food
Hida Beef
Hida produces a great variety of agricultural products and local dishes. Hida emphasizes on a healthy lifestyle and the high quality of natural foods.
Each region has its own unique food depending on its land features, climate and
history. Every season, people from many locales visit Hida to taste Hida's local
dishes such as red radishes, Kanboshi-daikon which are white radishes hung out to dry
in the cold air, Hoba miso, top quality Hida beef, Hida chicken, Hida soba and sake.
Each region has its own unique food depending on its land features, climate and
history. Every season, people from many locales visit Hida to taste Hida's local
dishes such as red radishes, Kanboshi-daikon which are white radishes hung out to dry
in the cold air, Hoba miso, top quality Hida beef, Hida chicken, Hida soba and sake.