matohu matohu

COLLECTION

2022 SPRING & SUMMER COLLECTION TRAVELER'S JOURNAL

2022 SPRING & SUMMER COLLECTION TRAVELER'S JOURNAL

Just one hour by train from Tokyo is the ancestral home of the Ashikaga clan, who ruled Japan during the Muromachi shogunate (1336–1573). The city is filled with history and culture, and surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Palm of the Hand Traveler’s Journal—Ashikaga City Palm of the Hand Traveler’s Journal—Ashikaga City
Ashikaga Gakko (school) Ashikaga Gakko (school)

1. Ashikaga Gakko (school)

St. Francis Xavier wrote about Ashikaga Gakko in a letter, noting that it was the oldest and largest school in Japan. Formerly some 3,000 students studied the Analects of Confucius and Chinese classics here. As Eiichi Shibusawa (1840–1931), a financier and industrialist who will grace the new 10,000 yen note starting in 2024, wrote in The Analects and the Abacus, what is truly needed in the blind alley of capitalism may be the spirit of benevolence (love for humanity) expounded by Confucius.

Usagiya Usagiya

2. Usagiya

This shop in an old traditional house carries many antique meisen kimono from the Taisho (1912–1926) and Showa (1926–1989) periods. All of the patterns are gorgeous and a thrill to see! There is also a café space where you can drink matcha green tea, and even kimono newcomers can spend time leisurely picking out a kimono while learning about what makes meisen fabric so appealing.

Sunset from Watarase Bridge Sunset from Watarase Bridge

3. Sunset from Watarase Bridge

The old iron bridge over the Watarase River was built in 1934. It became famous after Chisato Moritaka released a hit song in 1993 called “Watarase Bridge” (Watarase-bashi). People have been coming to this bridge to watch the sunset ever since. It certainly was beautiful...

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