Since 1596
Since 1596
神田と豊島屋
神田という文字は、神の田んぼと書きますが、その名のとおり、神社のまつり事にあてる領地としての田畑、という意味を持っています。江戸初期の時点であっても、すでに千年の歴史を持ち、江戸の総鎮守として人々が詣でた神田明神。そのお膝元に広がる神田の町のあちこちでは、田畑の豊穣を願う儀礼が町中でみられたといいます。その儀礼の際に使われたお神酒も豊島屋謹製のものでした。
THE ORIGINS OF THE NAME KANDA
The characters for the word Kanda mean “god” and “rice field,” and just as the name suggests, it refers to rice fields in which Shinto shrines held ceremonies. The area was already a thousand years old when Edo was founded, and the god enshrined in Kanda Myojin was considered to be the local deity of Edo. Under the protection of this deity, ceremonies for a bountiful harvest were held in many places across Kanda. The sake used in those ceremonies was sake produced with reverence and care by Toshimaya.
神田祭り
徳川幕府三百年の礎を築いた初代将軍徳川家康。その家康が天下分け目の戦い・関ヶ原の合戦の前に、戦勝祈祷を命じたのが神田明神でした。合戦に勝利し、天下統一を果たした家康は、徳川家を護った神田明神を深く敬います。徳川家縁起の祭りとして盛大に行われる神田明神の祭は、その名も「天下祭」と呼ばれ、江戸の名物に。人々の心を高揚させ、祭を派手に盛り上げたのは、山車と神輿と地元の酒でした。
KANDA MATSURI (KANDA FESTIVAL)
Ieyasu Tokugawa founded the Tokugawa Shogunate, which lasted 300 years. The decisive battle in which he took control was at Sekigahara. The ceremony to pray for victory took place at a shrine called Kanda Myojin. After securing victory and unifying Japan, he held great respect for Kanda Myojin shrine, which had protected the Tokugawa line. The lavish festival held at Kanda Myojin is quite famous and celebrates
the connection to the Tokugawa line, and is called the “Tenka Matsuri” in reference to the unification of Japan by Ieyasu. People get wildly excited and their hearts are uplifted thanks to the floats and omikoshi shrines and local sake at this extravagant festival.
