Ranking of Hot Springs of the Provinces (Shokoku Onsen Kono Kagami)

Unknown (a hot spring ranking sheet) · Late Edo period (early 19th century)

Overview

A single printed sheet that ranks the hot springs of the whole country in the style of a sumo ranking: divided into East and West, graded ozeki, sekiwake, komusubi and maegashira, with the benefits of each noted beside it. Famous springs are placed even in the referee and sponsor columns. Putting Kusatsu in Joshu as ozeki of the East and Arima in Setsushu as ozeki of the West was standard, and many editions with differing contents exist, depending on publisher and period.

Background

In the late Edo period, taking the waters was not only a cure for illness but also a pleasure trip for ordinary people. It was the custom to stay a long time at a spa between farming seasons, and spa towns bustled with inns and souvenirs. "Mitate banzuke," mock rankings modeled on sumo, were made for every field, from famous sights and specialties to rich men and cooking: a ranking game the people of Edo loved.

Highlights

  1. Kusatsu, ozeki of the EastA powerful spring said to cure "everything but lovesickness." Along with the sight of yumomi, stirring the hot water.Read “(place)” →
  2. Arima, ozeki of the WestA celebrated spring visited by emperors since ancient times, and loved by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.Read “(place)” →
  3. DogoA spring with ancient legends: fragments of the Iyo Fudoki record that an ailing god revived in its waters.Read “(place)” →