<研究ノート>近世京都の宿屋と都市空間 : 三条大橋西詰・中島町を中心に

Abstract

This study examines the institutional and spatial characteristics of inns for tourists in early modern Kyoto, with special reference to the inn district of Nakajima (Nakajima-cho). Many pilgrims headed for Ise Shrine or traveling the holy circuit of 33 Buddhist temples in the Kinki region (Saigoku Sanjusan-ka-sho) tended to make a short stay at Kyoto, where a specialized hotel business flourished. Historical studies of inns in large cities, including Edo (the former name of Tokyo), Osaka, and Kyoto, have focused not on the economics or geographic locations of lodging businesses but on their subordinate activities, such as supporting lodgers who were engaged in judicial proceedings or seeking employment. Therefore, a study is needed of inns in early modern Japanese cities that considers the political social, and geographical characteristics of the hotel business. Nakajima-cho serves as an ideal case study on aspects of the institutional evolution of hotel districts owing to its prime location at the west side of Sanjo Bridge, which was the main gateway to Kyoto and had the status of a landmark. A number of tourists have recorded their impressions of the area in their diaries. Nakajima-cho residents recognized the value of their prime location for running inns for tourists. At the time, Kyoto had other establishments for accommodating tourists: hatagoya, which offered tourists accommodations as well as services from prostitutes; chaya, which supplied refreshments to tourists but not lodging; kishuku, which accepted tourists staying for lengthy periods, and ordinary inns. These types were distinguished by custom and government regulation. As they struggled intensively to attract tourists, Nakajima-cho and the other four inn districts with excellent locations formed a union and then requested to be franchised by the city government, which would help stabilize their business. These hotel areas were located along the main streets of Kyoto (Sanjo-dori and Gojo-dori) or nearby destinations of pilgrimage (Rokkakudo Temple). They were given priority to accommodate tourists over other types of housings and districts. These districts strove to survive by maximizing the spatial restrictions on available space and by restricting barkers. Further, they were also legally allowed to accommodate tourists headed for the Saigoku Sanjusan-ka-sho pilgrimage or Ise Shrine. However, a number of tourists also chose to lodge at other businesses or establishments that had not obtained the right to provide accommodations. Although the city government endeavored to control every lodging business area and establishment, it did not always succeed. These processes show the gradual granting of rights to inn districts as well as aspects of tourism in early modern Kyoto. Sanjo Bridge was called a kogi-bashi, public bridge, which indicates the role of the Tokugawa Shogunate in its management. However, the daily management of the bridge was left to the residents who lived at both sides of the bridge, namely, Nakajima and Ohashi districts to the west and east, respectively. They were responsible for recording their activities related to managing the bridge. For example, they reported damage to the bridge in detail; they were required to let passers-by ford the Kamo River when the bridge was damaged by flooding. For inn hosts in the Nakajima district, securing the traffic of tourists meant securing their guests. If the bridge was out, they would not have guests. They also formed a merchant guild, where they established rules related to the use of barkers in order to maintain equal business rights. Individual districts had more intricate rules for attracting tourists compared with Kyoto. This trend shows the spatial requirements of streams of tourists and their reception by residents of the cluster of inns in Kyoto. In sum, this work shows two characteristics of inns in early modern Japanese cities. First, hotel districts were formed at locations that were ideal for businesses targeting tourists. Second, hotel districts in Kyoto were organized in guilds to overcome competition from others. They controlled the locations ideal for inns and were allowed to operate exclusively. Further, they ensured equal business rights by imposing restrictions on barkers. Studies on inns show the possibilities for understanding urban places as locations to accommodate tourists.