While walking along the canals in Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture, I was reminded of the time spent exploring the waterways in Giethoorn, in the Netherlands years ago. Was it because of the houses that stood along the canals? Was it because of the bridges that connected one side of the canal to another? Was it also because I chanced upon a flock of migratory birds in both places, albeit at different periods in time? Or, was it the sight of boats docked on the bank that tugged at my memories? Despite the subtle similarities, it is apparent that both towns are also significantly different from each other. I was interested in finding out more so I did a wee bit of research, and now I hope to share with you the differences in terms of their cultures and histories, as well as the meaning behind their names. 1. Geographical differences Firstly, the Netherlands is comprised of primarily low-lying, flat land with almost 25% of its land at, or below sea level. The word, 'nether' aptly describes the landforms of the Netherlands. There were also vast pastures of land I saw in Giethoorn during the time I was there. The old town of Omi-Hachiman, on the other hand, has a castle constructed in 1585 on the top of Mount Hachiman (286m) by Toyotomi Hidetsugu, the nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The mountain is situated right next to Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan. 2. Origins of their names Giethoorn A significant number of goat horns were discovered in Giethoorn as a result of the goats who did not survive during the St. Elisabeth's great flood in 1170. Thus, the initial name Geytenhorn given, literally meant ‘Goat horns’. After some time, the name was adapted and it is now known as Giethoorn. Omi-Hachiman, 近江八幡 Omi 近江 is the former name of Shiga Prefecture, but my interpretation is also that it is near Lake Biwa based on the kanji characters 近 (near / close) and 江 (river / bay). In addition, Omi province suffered from the effects of territorial expansion and control when provinces were warring against each other in the midst of the 15th century. As a protector of Japan against foreign invasion, Hachiman 八幡 is often prayed to as one of the primary Shinto kami, or also known as divine spirit or god. Hachiman is seen to be the God of War and Military Arts, serving as a guide to assist warriors in achieving mastery of their skills in order to protect their own land. I believe this may probably be the significance and meaning behind its name, 近江八幡. 3. Historical and cultural background In the past, the landscape in Giethoorn consisted of primarily high moor peat and woods. Peat mining was prevalent because it was traditionally used as a fossil fuel to generate heat and electricity. As the peat were dug, holes underneath emerged and they gradually developed into canals. These canals then functioned to transport peat between places. The canal area of Omi-Hachiman was originally excavated to function as both a moat to protect the castle and as a transportation route to connect the town to Lake Biwa, making use of its network of waterways that linked the Sea of Japan coast with Kyoto. Omi-Hachiman was also part of the Nakasendo highway 中山道, the ancient trading route between Tokyo (then Edo) and Kyoto, so it was an important access point for boats and ships carrying goods for commercial trade. 4. My memory associations to these towns
Maybe it was because it has been 6 years since I visited Giethoorn that my memory is failing me. It did not occur to me to learn more about its history then. I needed to do more research to understand Giethoorn better. Unfortunately, the only memory I have now is the vibrant colors of the houses dotted along the canals, transporting me back into Enid Blyton’s whimsical fairytale settings that I grew up reading in my primary school days. The old and rustic charm of the houses standing along the canals in Omi-Hachiman led me to think of Japan steeped in its feudal, cultural and historical roots going all the way back to the Edo period. Now, the area is a preserved district made up of old merchant houses converted into shops and restaurants. There is a Hachiman shrine, known as Himure Hachimangu shrine, that the town is named after. I love how exploring new places lead me to find out more about their history and culture. It's funny how I never took interest in learning about them when I was younger, but now I have discovered another side of myself and I cherish all these bits and pieces of information that come along through these adventures.
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