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Mysterious Footsteps

The tale takes place in a Fushimi (Yamashirō Province) merchant store

Locations

  • Fushimi: known for countless vermillion torii leading to the Fushimi-Inari Shrine today, Fushimi served as a post station between Kyoto and Osaka in Saikaku’s time. In southern Fushimi, travelers and merchants boarded vessels along the Yodogawa River.
  • Bungo Bridge: a large bridge spanning the Uji River, it bore heavy food traffic for anyone traveling from Kyoto to Nara
  • Toiyamachi: a ward in the western part of Fushimi and home to rice, lumber, and charcoal wholesalers

Fushimi and Yodogawa in Hitome Tamaboko

Even along the path of dreams that never breaks,
through dark bamboo in Fushimi Village,
beneath the drifting snow
 

This village is a landing place for boats, so travelers come and go without pause. Its local products include wicker boxes, blow darts, tea whisks, bamboo brooms, and famed peaches.


In the middle of the river lie small reed-covered islets, and to the right along the water route stands the Yodo Embankment.

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