Ishikawa prefecture was the wealthiest province in Japan around 16th to 19th centuries, which used to be called "Kaga-Han" in Edo-era. In 1583, Maeda Toshiie, a retainer of Oda Nobunaga, took over Kanazawa. When Japan came under the control of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603, Maeda's vast territorial holdings were recognized, making Kaga the wealthiest province in Japan. Its wealth, measured by its rice yield, was one million KOKU, or five million bushels. Hence, the elegant and refined culture that developed in Kanazawa under Load Maeda's patronage is referred to as "Kaga Hyakumangoku(one million KOKU)". Kanazawa was the capital of Kaga-Han, where Lord Maeda located his Kanazawa-Castle, and is the capital of Ishikawa prefecture today. Lord Maeda of Kaga-Han was very enthusiastic about developing its original culture and art & crafts of his region. Maeda clan invited many artists to Kaga, such as tea master of The Sen, Hohsho-Dayu of Noh Theater, Yuzensai Miyazaki of silk-dying & painting, to develop sophisticate and rich Kaga-culture. Kaga-Yuzen (traditional kimono dyeing technique), tea ceremony & Japanese sweets, Kutani-Yaki (pottery), Ohhi-Yaki (tea ceremony pottery), gold-leaf (still produces more than 95% of Japanese gold-leaf production), Mizu-hiki (celebratory occations wrapping decoration), Kaga-Hosho (Noh Theater) are just a few of traditional artistry workshop you would like to visit.
Since Maeda Toshiie's entrance into Kanazawa, the city has been completely untouched by war and thus retains much of its historic beauty. Kenroku-En, one of "Great Three Japanese gardens" in Japan, which used to be the private garden of Maeda's Kanazawa Castle, is located in the middle of Kanazawa-city. There are some Samurai-houses & neighborhood preserved outside Ishikawa Gate, the gate of Kanazawa Castle. Two Teahouse districts is located on the East & West hills of two rivers, and you can still feel its traditional flavor. The city is a harmonious blend of the old and the new.
To see sight-seeing spots in Kanazawa, please click here.
