徳川家康にまつわる食べ物と生涯唯一の惨敗戦.

The present communication describes TOKUGAWA Ieyasu (1542-1616), the first Shogunate Generalissimo of Edo Period (1603-1867), with a special emphasis placed on his favorite food, tempura and mochi rice-cake, to begin with. Tempura, or seafood dipped in batter to be deeply fried very quickly, was introduced in those days to Japan from the West. A rumor says that his too much eating the sea-bream tempura caused his death. The truth is that he had suffered from stomach cancer. He is more or less associated with an intriguing story or a kind of legend. His army was completely defeated by his opponent, Takeda Army from a local country called Kai (the main parts of which today belongs to Yamanashi Prefecture in the west of Tokyo), fleeing from the Mikatagahara battle-field in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. He was, however, so hungry that he took mochi rice-cake on the way back despite the urgent situation, leaving there without paying for the rice cake. Indignant at his behavior, the old woman selling the cake ran after him with success, getting the money. Eventually he entered his Hamamatsu Castle at the sacrifice of his man who pretended as if he had been his Lord, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu. The battle continued till into the night. According to a legend, a defense valley close to the castle was covered with a large sheet of cloth so as to kill the enemy soldiers with the anticipation of their ignorance, misunderstanding and belief in a real bridge. The plan of the massacre was carried out with success. A nearby stone monument (photo#6) shows a famous OHSHIMA Ryota’s haiku poem, “Upon the rock-edge, fighting helmets fell, as camelia flowers. (translated by J. MAKI)” About 30 years later, he was appointed by the Kyoto Emperor as the first Generalissimo of Edo Period (1603-1867). His defeated battle in Mikatagahara, Hamamatsu City was the only one during all his life. He became still more careful in everything throughout the rest of his life. He eventually founded the base of the peaceful Edo Period [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]