Historical Museum of Hokkaido / Theme 3 / Age of "Ezo"

	Earthenware Pot Full of Old Coins Trade Items between the Ainu and the Wajin (Japanese from Honshu) Black Seal Certificate Straw Bundles of Rice and Dried Salmon	【１】The "Age of Ezo" is the theme of this room, covering the historical period from the 13th to the middle of the 19th century, when Hokkaido was called "Ezochi." In the previous room, Theme 2, the development of Ainu culture was examined. At the end of the 12th century, settlers from Honshu, called "Wajin," came to the southern part of Hokkaido and began a colony. At that time, Honshu Japanese called Hokkaido "Ezo-ga-chishima" and the indigenous people "Ezo." The Wajin and the Ainu both traded actively with Honshu and with the continent. As Wajin settlements grew in number, they began to intrude into the Ainu's sphere of existence. Antagonism grew between them, and, beginning in the mid-15th century, the two groups fought each other frequently. In time, Lord Kakizaki consolidated the Wajin power, and a Wajin community was organized in and around Matsumae, in the southern part of Hokkaido. 【２】At the end of the 16th century, the central Japanese government gave Lord Kakizaki a monopoly on trade with the Ainu, and the Matsumae feudal clan was established. The Matsumae clan continued to strengthen its economic and political power over the Ainu people. In 1669, cumulatively enraged over Matsumae actions, the Ainu revolted under their leader Shakushain. The Matsumae clan won the conflict, and its domination over the Ainu was confirmed.		"Omsha" (diorama) Written Contract for Undertaking Management of "Mashike-basho" Shogunal Flag over Ezochi Fortress Goryokaku (model)	【３】In the 18th century, herring and salmon fishing flourished. Boats were improved, which in turn spurred trade, including the shipping of marine products from Ezochi to the Osaka area. Meanwhile, the Matsumae clan had begun entrusting the management of trade with the Ainu to merchants in exchange for a payment of a tax. At the beginning, the relationship between the merchants and the Ainu was limited to trade. Gradually, however, the merchants forced the Ainu to provide labor to the booming Ezochi fishing industry. The Ainu resisted, but their uprisings were all on a small scale. 【４】From the latter half of the 18th century, foreign ships appeared often around the Ezo region seeking commercial opportunities at a time when Japan was officially "closed" to outside contact. Because of this, the Tokugawa shogunate took control of Ezo directly and undertook investigation of resources and the mapping of the region. In 1854, the Tokugawa government concluded treaties with several foreign countries, allowing foreign ships to call only at Hakodate, in southern Ezo, and at Shimoda, south of Tokyo. To continue the development of Ezo, the shogunate retained direct administrative control over the region. In 1868, however, the shogunate government was replaced by the Meiji government, beginning a period of modernization and bringing an end to the Japanese feudal system. The following year, the new government changed the name of "Ezochi" to "Hokkaido," and launched its own official development program.