広岡梨畑『金澤古蹟志』巻26 城西宮腰口第10編 現代語・English

広岡梨畑

廣岡村の土地は、以前は水田ばかりで、畑地はほとんどなかった。しかし、天保の末頃(1830年代後半)から田を潰して梨畑にするようになった。すると土地に適していたのか、梨の品質が良く、特に美味しく育つと評判になった。そのため次第に競うように梨畑が増え、さまざまな種類の梨が栽培されるようになった。この影響で、廣岡村の近隣の村々でも田を潰して梨畑にする動きが広がり、今では全国的に知られる産物となっている。

そもそも『惣国風土記』によれば、加賀国加賀郡には檜・杉・松・柏・梅・桃・栗・梨などの木々が記されており、加賀郡の土地は昔から梨の栽培に適していたのだろう。現在、廣岡は石川郡に属しているが、昔は加賀郡の一部であった。

さて、寛文七年(1667年)三月に書かれた改作所の文書には、次のように記されている。

「六百五十六歩(約2,160平方メートル)あまりの上安江村領の百姓地を梨木島として篤く御用地とするように、十村喜兵衛・井村肝煎の記録をもとに検討すること。」

これを踏まえると、安江村は廣岡村の隣であり、同じような地質のため、廣岡の梨畑の発展の起源とも考えられる。また、一説によると、上安江・下安江・諸江・廣岡・西念・二口などの村々は、土地の質がほぼ同じだという。思うに、昔は「梨島」というものは存在せず、梨の木を植えることは非常に稀であったため、良質な梨を得るのは困難であったようだ。そのことは、小松藩の古い文書にも記されている。

(以下、当時のやり取りの文書)

「本日、貴札が届きました。内容を拝見しました。現在、御継木島(接ぎ木を行う梨畑)では余剰の梨がありません。明朝の御用のために、三十町(約3.3ヘクタール)ほどを指定し、廣瀬彦進・小林六左衛門に裁定を依頼しましたが、今年は余剰がないとのことです。そのため、徳本村・田中村・成村へと調査し、もし余剰があれば報告するように命じました。」

「なお、営地(栽培地)は廣瀬彦進・小林六左衛門が裁定を行うものとする。今後の御用の際には、彼らに指示を仰ぐように。以上。」

(日付・署名)

  • 七月十九日(陰暦)
    • 村田半助(判)
    • 有澤孫作(不在)
    • 水原清左衛門(不在)
    • 長谷川大學 様
    • 齋田彥助 様
    • 佐久間彌左衛門 様(御報)

(果実の納品報告)

  • :一籠(55個)
  • :一籠(56個)
    • ただし、特別な許可を得た梨(御免梨子)や、清らかな梨(清梨子)も含まれる。

「これらは、御継木島で生産されたものです。近年、梨の生育が思わしくないため、柿や大和材(果樹の一種)、葡萄なども一緒に収めます。適切な時期に指示を仰ぎます。」

(日付・署名)

  • 七月二十五日(陰暦)
    • 河原兵庫(判)
    • 齋藤中務(判)
    • 黒坂兵左衛門 様

(補足)この文書は、加賀藩主・前田利常公が小松城に在城していた頃の記録である。

English Version

The land of Hirooka Village was previously used exclusively for rice fields, with very few areas designated as farmland. However, around the late Tenpō era (1830s), rice fields were gradually converted into pear orchards. As it turned out, the land was well-suited for pear cultivation, producing high-quality fruit with exceptional flavor. This reputation led to increased competition, and more and more land was dedicated to pear orchards, cultivating various types of pears. Due to this trend, neighboring villages of Hirooka also began converting rice fields into pear orchards, and over time, pear production became one of the region’s renowned industries.

According to the Sōkoku Fudoki (a historical geographic record), Kaga Province’s Kaga District has long been known for growing trees such as cypress, cedar, pine, oak, plum, peach, chestnut, and pear. This suggests that the district has historically been suitable for pear cultivation. Currently, Hirooka belongs to Ishikawa District, but in the past, it was part of Kaga District.

A document from Kanbun 7 (1667), recorded in the Kaizaku-sho (a land development office), states the following:

“A parcel of farmland measuring 656 bu (approximately 2,160 square meters) in the domain of Kami-Yasue Village is to be designated as a pear plantation for official use. Based on the records of Tōmura Kihei and Imura Kanjō, this matter is under review.”

Considering this, Yasue Village, which borders Hirooka Village, shares similar soil conditions, suggesting that Hirooka’s pear orchards may have originated from this region. Another theory proposes that the villages of Kami-Yasue, Shimo-Yasue, Moro-e, Hirooka, Sainen, and Futakuchi all have similar land characteristics.

It is believed that in ancient times, “pear plantations” as a concept did not exist, and planting pear trees was quite rare. This made it difficult to obtain high-quality pears. This is also evident in old documents found in Komatsu Domain records.

(The following is an excerpt from an official correspondence at the time.)

“Today, we have received the official notice and have reviewed its contents. Currently, the Gokeiki-shima (grafted pear orchard) has no surplus pears. Since these pears are needed for tomorrow’s official use, approximately 30 chō (around 3.3 hectares) have been designated for harvesting.

However, upon consultation with Hirose Hikosuke and Kobayashi Rokuzemon, it was confirmed that there are no surplus pears this year. Therefore, further investigations will be conducted in Tokumoto Village, Tanaka Village, and Nari Village. If any surplus pears are found, they will be reported accordingly.

Additionally, the designated cultivation areas will be managed by Hirose Hikosuke and Kobayashi Rokuzemon. For future official uses, instructions should be directed to them.”

(Date & Signatures)

  • 19th day of the 7th month (lunar calendar)
    • Murata Hansuke (Seal)
    • Arisawa Magosaku (Absent)
    • Mizuhara Seizaemon (Absent)
    • Hasegawa Daigaku-sama
    • Saita Hikosuke-sama
    • Sakuma Yazaemon-sama (Report received)

(Fruit Shipment Report)

  • Persimmons: 1 basket (55 pieces)
  • Pears: 1 basket (56 pieces)
    • Including specially permitted pears (Gomen Nashiko) and Seinashiko (a type of refined pear).

“These were cultivated in the Gokeiki-shima (grafted pear orchard). However, in recent years, pear yields have been poor. Therefore, along with pears, we are also supplying persimmons, Yamato wood (a type of fruit-bearing tree), and grapes. We await further instructions for appropriate future deliveries.”

(Date & Signatures)

  • 25th day of the 7th month (lunar calendar)
    • Kawahara Hyōgo (Seal)
    • Saitō Naka-no-kami (Seal)
    • Kurosaka Heizaemon-sama

(Supplementary Note) This document dates back to the time when Lord Maeda Toshitsune, the feudal lord of Kaga Domain, resided in Komatsu Castle.