| Banji Banzaburō | |
|---|---|
| 万二 万三郎 | |
| Born | Shimotsuke Province, Japan |
| Died | Dewa Province, Japan |
| Era | Heian period (794-1185) |
Banji Banzaburō (Japanese: 万二 万三郎, fl. 858-876) was, according to legend, a Japanese hunter and the first matagi.
Summary
The story of Banji Banzaburō is primarily known from the Yamadachi konpon no maki (山達根本之巻), a scroll written in 1193 and preserved in Ani village.
During the reign of Emperor Seiwa (858–876), the gongen of Mt. Nikko [ja] was clashing fiercely with the spirit of Mt. Akagi which had taken the shape of a monstrous giant snake or centipede. Losing the battle, the gongen of Mt. Nikko disguised itself as a white deer and fled, seeking the aid of a master of archery named Banji Banzaburō who lived at the base of the mountain. Taking up his bow, Banji killed the spirit of Mt. Akagi with only two arrows.
In gratitude, the gongen of Mt. Nikko gave Banji a yamadachi license (山達御免, yamadachi gomen), authorizing him to "hunt beasts on any mountain in Japan".
Thereafter, Banji moved north to Dewa Province, where he found plentiful animals to hunt. He finally settled in the vicinity of what is today Ani village. Because of this, the Ani matagi (阿仁マタギ), especially those from the nearby villages of Uttō (打当), Hitachinai (比立内), and Nekko (根子), are said to be direct descendants of Banji.
Notes
- 1. Banji's name has also been written with other kanji including (万事 万三郎), (万司 万三郎), etc.
References
- ^ 工藤 Kudō, 隆雄 Takao (2020). マタギに学ぶ登山技術 Learning from the Matagi - Mountain climbing techniques. Japan: ヤマケイ新書 Yamakei Shinsho. ISBN 4635040836.
- ^ 戸川 Togawa, 幸夫 Yukio (1962). Yasei he no tabi II - Matagi - Kariudo no kiroku 野性への旅II・マタギ ・狩人の記録 (1st ed.). Japan: 新潮社 Shinchōsha. ISBN 4377206036.