Description
自作品の世界観を踏まえながら「江戸時代の火消ってなんぞや」をふんわ～りやんわ～り描いてみました。「こんな感じなんだね～」ってふんわ～りやんわ～り感じてもらえたら嬉しいです。ふんわりと。
With the world of my work in mind, I’ve tried to explain what Edo-period firefighters were like. I’d be happy if this gave you a vague sense of what they were like—just a general idea.
Dialogue in this work
Page 1
- What were the "Hikeshi" of the Edo Period?
Page 2
- Hikeshi
- This refers to what we would now call firefighters. The firefighting methods of the Edo period did not involve using water, but rather a practice known as "Destructive Firefighting."
- The "nagaya," or row houses, where the townspeople of the time lived, were long buildings partitioned into several units. If one caught fire, the flames would spread in an instant. Therefore, to prevent the fire from spreading, they would demolish the houses downwind from the source of the fire, creating a firebreak.
- There were three types of Hikeshi: "Daimyo Hikeshi" (feudal lord firefighters), "Jo-bikeshi" (shogunate-retained firefighters), and "Town Firefighters." The Hikeshi famous for their "Matoi" standards with white fluttering ornaments were the "Town Firefighters."
- The Town Firefighters were divided into 47 groups, known as the "Iroha-gumi." However, the syllables "he," "ra," and "hi" were excluded due to their unlucky connotations, and were replaced with "hyaku," "sen," "man," and "hon," bringing the total to 48 groups.
- Furthermore, fires were a frequent occurrence in those days. The saying, "Never keep your earnings overnight," can be interpreted as, "You might as well spend your money, since you'll just lose it in a fire anyway..."
Page 3
- Matoi Bearer
- Fires and brawls are the flowers of Edo! And when you think of fires, you think of Hikeshi! And the star of the Hikeshi is the Matoi!
- It ain't an exaggeration to call it a symbol of Edo itself!
- There are conditions you gotta meet to become a Matoi Bearer!
- You gotta be well-built... and fast on your feet...
- It's not something just anyone can become!
- And handsome!
- Holding up the heavy Matoi on the front lines of the fire,
- while getting doused with water,
- (By the way, it's hot enough to singe your eyebrows.)
- you're not allowed to retreat until the source of the fire is extinguished.
- No wonder the pay is good.
- Maybe because it's a job where you're not likely to live long?
- If you get stronger, you can live longer.
- Why are you shaking?
Page 4
- For the Hikeshi, the Matoi was a "symbol of their squad." To raise it at the scene of a fire was also to declare, "This is our territory."
- For that reason, the Matoi Bearer would be the first to rush to the scene of a fire...
- Historical Fact
- ...to secure their squad's designated area. This is why speed was a required skill. In essence, the Matoi served as a "signboard" at the scene of a fire.
- Therefore, the Matoi was not just a claim of territory, but also a "symbol of action and honor" at that fire. Unauthorized retreat was forbidden. Honor was held in such high regard that a Matoi Bearer could not, and would not be allowed to, retreat.
- I don't want you to become a Hikeshi... and especially not a Matoi Bearer.
- But you won't listen, will you?
- Do you really want to become a Hikeshi?
- Heh...
- I do!
- I wanna be strong and cool like you, Dad!
- This is a job where you risk your life to save lives.
- ?
- You're entrusted with many lives. That's a very... Hmm, how should I put it...
- Then if I get suuuper strong, I can protect everyone!
- Well...
- That's right. But there's more to it than that...
- I'll tell you about that another time.
Page 5
- That ladder girl was talking about "dousing with water." This is what they use for that.
- It works like one of those handcar things.
- Plus, it looks huge and heavy. Must be a pain to use.
- Yeah.
- You have to coordinate your breathing, it's a real hassle.
- So then...
- It's just...
- ...mocked by foreigners.
- Its power is... underwhelming.
- I know, right?
- Apparently some guy named Morse gave it a scathing review.
- If you make it bigger, the power will go up!
- But you'd probably lose a lot more in the process...
- Water Gun
- Ryudosui
Page 6
- Historical Fact
- The Ryudosui and other water pumps were the only non-destructive firefighting tools, but their power was very low, and they were not very effective.
- The smaller water pumps were used like a press for making tokoroten noodles, while the Ryudosui required two or more people to push its wooden arms up and down to work the pump and spray water.
- Unlike modern pumps, the Ryudosui could not draw water through a hose. Instead, it had to be refilled directly from buckets of water kept on hand.
- The Ryudosui's range was said to be just over ten meters. While its effectiveness was minimal, it found its purpose in dousing the Matoi Bearer on the front lines.
- Congratulations, you two.
- You're finally old enough to use this firefighting tool.
- Since you two are twins,
- this Ryudosui is the perfect fit for you.
- This is a new piece of equipment that everyone has high hopes for.
- You should be happy.
- I'm sure my other half has noticed too, but...
- The smaller water pumps are more maneuverable.
- Besides,
- they say people have high hopes for it,
- but this technology is so basic. There's no way it'll be useful.
- Stop fidgeting.
- The adults know it too.
- You're right.
- I'm happy I'm a twin with you, but...
- At times like this, we get the short end of the stick.
- Totally.
Page 7
- What, reading another one of your fortune-telling books?
- You really like that astrology stuff, huh? I'm not interested in it at all.
- Ahem
- As a ladder-bearer, it's only natural!
- Listen! The ladder-bearer's role is a post for quickly learning the wind's direction and the fire's status!
- And measuring the stars is for determining direction! It was considered vital for sea voyages... or so the stories go.
- If you know the cardinal directions and the wind's direction, you can quickly understand the situation at the fire!
- Go!!
- So you see, there's nothing wrong with observing the stars! In fact, my astrology is something I absolutely must do!
- I've never met anyone who uses astrology for a reason like that...
Page 8
- Historical Fact
- Ladder techniques were used in Edo fires to determine the wind direction and the status of the fire, which were crucial for firefighting. It is also said that they were used for training in high-altitude work on rooftops.
- The ladder is also used when the Matoi Bearer is the first to climb onto a roof to raise the Matoi. As mentioned before, the Matoi Bearer must rush to the scene first to stake their claim. It is likely that speed was required of the ladder-bearers as well.
- Today, ladder acrobatics are performed as demonstrations by fire brigades. During these performances, the ladder must be supported by several people to hold the person climbing it. It is a performance that cannot be done unless everyone is of one mind.
- Hey, shorty, shorty!
- I'm not!
- A shrimp like you could never inherit the family Hikeshi business!
- A job I can do...
- A job I can do even if I'm small...
- ...The ladder!
- But... you can't do this without multiple people...?
- Like I care!!
- I'll do it!
- There's nothing I can't do!
- I'll show them all.
- I won't let them make a fool of me ever again...!
Page 9
- O-uchiwa
- The O-uchiwa is used to fan away dangerous embers...
- But you're fanning the fire, right?
- Isn't that counterproductive?
- I'm just protecting everyone as part of our teamwork, making it easier for them to do their jobs! It's not like I'm protecting you or anything. It's for the sake of teamwork! Team play!
- So you don't get hit by embers!
- I'm fanning the flames to block them!
- It's not to make the fire bigger! I'm protecting you so you can wait for the Sasumata and Tobi users to finish their demolition!
- You don't have to thank me. This is just standard procedure; it's not for you.
- ...? Oh, uh, thanks.
Page 10
- Historical Fact
- The O-uchiwa is said to have been used to sweep embers off the roofs of buildings and to protect the Matoi Bearer from falling sparks.
- Judging from existing O-uchiwa, their size was roughly the same as a Matoi.
- However, it can also be argued that fanning the flames at the scene of a fire could have potentially made the fire worse.
- In the "Ema Votive Tablet: The Sengumi Fire Brigade" displayed at the Edo-Tokyo Museum, ladders, Matoi, Ryudosui, and buckets are depicted, but there is no depiction of an O-uchiwa.
- Considering the ineffectiveness of the Ryudosui, one can surmise just how difficult the task of destructive firefighting truly was.
- Another fire... I've lost everything again.
- Sister, calm down.
- I had nothing to begin with.
- Sister!
- Get a hold of yourself!
- Sister!
- Everything exists just to be lost.
- Will you protect my place in this world?
- Of course I will!
- If you were gone too... I would truly lose everything.
- It's okay. This time, I swear I'll protect you. It's okay.
- I won't let anything more terrible happen to you!
- That's right, so don't worry!
- It's okay.
- It's okay... so please, sister... don't cry anymore...
- I won't let that happen.
- I'll never let that happen.
Page 11
- Sasumata are so big and cool.
- They sure are!
- Sasumata
- This sasumata of mine was passed down to me from an old friend who was a yoriki!
- You're just gonna say it yourself, huh?
- He was a samurai, right? That's got nothing to do with us commoners.
- What?!
- The yoriki may have a different social status, but they don't put on airs and talk just like any other townsfolk! They're very approachable people!
- Ya think so...? I don't really have a good impression of samurai myself...
- What?!
- Alright! I get it! So could you please put that sasumata away?!
- But my old friend was different! Different!
- All the townspeople scornfully call samurai 'two-sword-wearers'!
Page 12
- Historical Fact
- The Sasumata was originally a weapon, used by samurai as a tool for capturing criminals.
- The Sasumata used by Hikeshi were large tools, some as long as six meters. They were wielded by two or three people.
- They were used to push against the pillars of a house or thrust up from under the beams to bring the building down. They were also used to hold things down, and could be used as props to support a collapsing house. It is said that the Sasumata was the star of destructive firefighting.
- The map symbol for a modern fire station is designed after the Sasumata.
- Your Sasumata is especially cool!
- You praise it too much.
- But to be praised by you, a fellow lover of the Sasumata, is an honor!
- Well then, if I die first, it's yours!
- Don't say such grim things! You're strong, that would never happen!
- Ahaha! That's probably because you're the braver one!
- It's not a competition. I respect you!
- Because we are good rivals!
- I'm afraid of his face fading from my memory.
- I have to keep holding on.
- I don't want to forget him.
Page 13
- Tobi
- The Tobi is used alongside the Sasumata for destructive firefighting, but...
- But...
- Do you even have the will to be a Hikeshi?!
- Gah
- Thud
- Of course I do!
- A Tobiguchi is 170 centimeters. I hear a real Sasumata is six meters long.
- Oh.
- It's short. Having more of them would be stronger.
- Besides, you can use a Tobi in a fight. Look.
- Is that it? The thing they call 'intimidation'?
- I'm intimidating!! I'm intimidating!!
Page 14
- Historical Fact
- The Tobiguchi was a tool used for hooking and pulling things down. Its tip was shaped like a kite's beak. Some also had a pointed tip. They came in various lengths, and the one carried by the squad leader was shaped to be hung from a belt. As a sort of
- baton, this type of Tobiguchi had decorative metal fittings. This was called a "tekagi."
- There were regulations for the Tobiguchi used by the Town Firefighters. They were 1.8 meters long. The reason for this was that Hikeshi would use their Tobiguchi in brawls. In fact, there were cases where they hooked an opponent's neck and dragged them around, killing them. For this reason, the tools were made shorter to impair their function as weapons.
- I have heard the rumors... that you are a strong Tobiguchi user.
- Please, I'm begging you.
- I wish that were true...
- I need you to protect my little brother, who's being reckless because of me.
- I don't want to do anything anymore.
- My place in this world...
- In the end, I couldn't refuse and accepted.
- He's like a younger version of me, so I guess it's fine, but...
- A babysitter, huh... what a pain. Oh well.
- Ugh, I don't want to think about it... so annoying...
- Whoops.
Page 15
- If there were no fires, the world would be a much more peaceful place...
- Indeed...
- But there's nothing to be done about it...
- Well...
- But in the first place,
- Hikeshi get paid for their achievements in fighting fires,
- There are also stories about... 'putting on your own show'... and starting fires yourself, you know.
- The culprit is among us!
Page 16
- As Hikeshi, if there are no fires...
- We're bored.
- Come on, come on.
- You could at least say it's peaceful!
- Then let us play!!
- Here she comes.
- Your reflexes...
- ...and memory...
- ...are trained with this game.
- Hyakunin Isshu!
- Huh?! This is a jock's game!!
- Ima wa—
- Chihaya—
- Go, go!
- Wham!
- Trivia: Also called "Utagaruta."
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