The Calligraphy "Muga Tapishi" Gifted to the Villagers of Naganuma

In Chiba Prefecture, there was once a marsh called Naganuma, measuring about 3 square kilometers. Surrounded on three sides, Naganuma Village depended on the marsh for its livelihood. Disputes arose between Naganuma Village and other neighboring villages over the use of the marsh, and Yukichi Fukuzawa's efforts to resolve this are known as the "Naganuma Incident." This calligraphy by Fukuzawa is believed to have been owned by Gennosuke Oki, an influential figure in Naganuma Village. It appeared on the antique market in 2015 and was donated to celebrate the opening of Keio Yokohama Elementary School.

The characters are read as "Ga-ta-pi-shi nashi." This refers to the word "gatapishi," used when something is rattling or poorly fitted. Derived from Buddhist terminology, it means one should not view things in opposition—such as self and other, or that and this—but rather grasp the truth that they are originally one. In other words, it is a work wishing for harmony. I imagine that the slightly exaggerated brushstrokes were influenced by Nichiren's "Hige Daimoku" (I believe there was also a work in Naganuma titled "Isson Anzen Muga Tapishi," but its current location is unknown).

This "Muga Tapishi" will be displayed at the Keio History Museum's special exhibition "Yukichi Fukuzawa and 'Non-Violence': 150 Years of Gakumon no susume (An Encouragement of Learning)" (Exhibition period: October 17 – December 17). Why the Naganuma Incident in relation to Gakumon no susume? Because it was the book that provided a turning point for this incident.

During the Edo period, disputes frequently occurred between Naganuma Village and other villages over Naganuma. In 1793, a shogunate ruling confirmed Naganuma as the property of Naganuma Village. However, following the changes in land policy after the Meiji Restoration, 15 neighboring villages lobbied the government to use the marsh. The villagers, who depended on fishing and seaweed harvesting in Naganuma, resisted as they would lose their livelihood. This led to arrests and the forced submission of written pledges, resulting in Naganuma becoming state-owned land. Distressed, the leader of Naganuma Village, Buhei Ogawa, went to the prefectural office to petition, and it was there at a night stall that he picked up a copy of Gakumon no susume. It stated that if one has a grievance against the state, one should not "secretly resent those above" or resort to "violence," but should "quietly" and "without hesitation argue" the case, and if it aligns with "natural law and humanity," one should fight even if it means "sacrificing one's life." Encouraged, Ogawa met with Fukuzawa, gained his support for the appeal, and Fukuzawa himself often took up the pen to write the petitions, persistently continuing the protest.

Gakumon no susume teaches that the "duty of the people" is not to wait for orders, but to express their will, lodge objections without hesitation, and build their own country. This book pushed the backs of the villagers who were at a loss, eventually leading to the fulfillment of a 28-year movement to recover their rights.

(Takeyuki Tokura, Associate Professor, Keio University Fukuzawa Memorial Center for Modern Japanese Studies)