It Began in the Muromachi Period. The "Golden Fish" Brought by a Single Ship and the Story Beyond.

"When do you think goldfish came to Japan?" A lively image of the Edo period comes to mind, but actually, its history goes back another 300 years to the Muromachi period.Juane * here.Hello.

Today, I would like to talk about the story of Japanese goldfish that began with a single ship, and the romance of history sleeping deeper than official records.

1502, The surprise that arrived at the port of Sakai

According to records(such as "Kingyo Yogan-so"), goldfish first set foot on Japanese soil in 1502(Bunki 2), in the middle of the Muromachi period.It is said that they came on a ship from China(Ming) to the port of Sakai, Osaka, which was a trading hub at the time.

Around the time when the footsteps of the Warring States period began to be heard.How captivated people of that time must have been by the figure glittering in the water that no one had ever seen before.Because of its brilliance, it was also called "Kogane-uo (Golden Fish)" at that time.

Shadows that might have been swimming behind the records

But there is something I wonder about. 1502 is just "the date clearly remaining in the records".Perhaps, goldfish had arrived in Japan long before that...

For example, the Heian period and the Kamakura period.Japan was actively trading with China(Song).The Song era was also a period when goldfish breeding was very popular in China.It would not be strange if red fish were already swimming quietly in the ponds of monks and aristocrats of that time who were trying to adopt cutting - edge culture.

"Although it is not recorded, the life that someone tried to protect carefully was there long before." When I imagine it like that, I feel that the blank of history begins to shine colorfully.

It's wonderful, isn't it ?

The joy of knowing history from reliable records and the joy of thinking about the invisible past.Both of them make the existence of goldfish more precious and mysterious.When you think so, doesn't a single wave of a goldfish swimming in front of you look like a beloved thing that has traveled a very long time?

Brilliance that arrived beyond time

The official story that began with a single ship, and the encounter that might have existed even before that.All of them are important batons that have reached us today.

We, Jun * Juane, also as artists living in the continuation of that long, long history.We hope to convey the noble and gentle brilliance that the "Golden Fish" has kept to the current era through our works.

Official Record of Introduction(1502): In the Edo period breeding book "Kingyo Yogan-so"(1748), there is a description that "It arrived in Sakai, Izumi Province in Bunki 2", which is still the established theory today.

Early Names: In literature such as "Tashiki-hen" in 1614, it is introduced by the name "Kogane-uo".

Possibility of Older Eras: In the Japan - Song trade during the Heian and Kamakura periods, it has been pointed out by some historical researchers and enthusiasts that there is a possibility that monks brought back ornamental fish and flowers to Japan along with sutras.