CEMETERY FOR FOREIGNERS
Almost all foreigners who died in Hakodate were buried in this CEMETERY.
Although some Christian Japanese Citizens were also entombed here.
When Admiral Matthew C. Perry, Commander of the American, entered Hakodate in April.
1854; two crewmen, Wolfe(50 years) and Remick(19 years) were buried here. Also included in the 40 graves are the Denmark Consul Duus, the German Vice-Consul Haber, and an English warehouse manager Scott.
City of Hakodate
MANPEI’S GRAVE
Ishikawa Takuboku, a famous poet, once wrote a poem about a beggar walking around, muttering something precious and virtuous to himself. The beggar named Manpei was a popular figure who lived in Hakodate during the Meiji and early Taisho years.
He was a man of great spirit,and a good sense of humor, and he was never known to ask others for alms. Every morning he searched through garbage cans for food and wrote a simple description of each household he visited like a diary.
For instance, “November 1, 1906. Fine. First I went to rummage through the garbage can of Yamada Kunihiko (Mayor of Hakodate). Mr. Yamada’s wife, living a most civilized life, is as can be expected. Finding a piece of pork fat with some raddish peelings in the garbage, I suppose she is now learning Western cooking…”
When Fujioka Sobei, who was an ironmaster in Osaka, came to Hakodate on business, he asked Manpei to light his cigarette. He was rebuked for his impoliteness to have asked “Without taking off his hat” by Manpei.
Fujioka was so deeply impressed by Manpei’s character that after Manpei died in 1915 Fujioka built a grave stone for the repose of Manpei’s soul with the help of his friends in Hakodate.
CITY OF HAKODATE
MONUMENT OF UMU RYOENTO
This monument called “Umu Ryoento” was erected in 1864 in repose of abandoned women who worked in the “red light” districts. Funds for this monument were donated by those who managed prostitute houses.
In days gone by in a town called Yamanoue-cho (a neighboring area, now named Funami-cho), there was a lively red-light district. After the Hakodate magistrate granted a license and named this area the Yamanoue prostitute quarters in 1868 (Ansei 5), those houses renewed their quarters for the promotion of business.
Moreover, Hakodate port’s opening to foreign trade in 1869, brought visitors from every land and these quarters did a thriving business.
This monument reminds us of the fact that in the shadows of the port opening’s new age there existed women who had no choice but to work and end their lives here as prostitutes. The names of the donators are engraved on the pedestal.
CITY OF HAKODATE
CAPE TACHIMACHI (“YOKO-USHI” ORIGINAL AINU PLACE NAME)
TACHIMACHI is derived from the Ainu name for this cape “YOKOUCHI.” YOKOUSHI means “the place where people stand and wait to catch fish.” The present Japanese name is thus a translation of the Ainu words, YOKO (to stand and wait for prey to come) and USHI (place), thus, the Japanese “Tachi” “Machi.”
At the end of the 18th century when Ezochi (Hokkaido) became a place under the direct control of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the shogunate built a fort in this area. During World War II, citizens were prohibited to enter this mountain area because of the Fortified Zone Law.
Currently, many tourists visit here as a scenic spot to command a great view of the Tsugaru Straits. The poem monument of Yosano Hiroshi & Akiko and the tomb of the Ishikawa Takuboku family can be found very near here.
CITY OF HAKODATE
