35Ebisu Kasaboko
The Ebisu kasaboko is from Tokubuchi-machi/Fuchiwara-machi, a former castle town of Yatsushiro Castle.
Ebisu is one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, and his portrayal of crossing the sea riding a sea bream tells the story of Tokubuchi that flourished as a port. One characteristic of this kasaboko is Ebisu’s rare appearance riding a sea bream.
Tokubuchi prospered as a trading port in the middle ages both within Japan, as well as with China and the Ryukyus. In 1622, when Yatsushiro Castle was built between the villages of Tokubuchi and Matsue, the opening pass and crossroads of the Satsuma Road that crossed Mae River were placed there and the town flourished as the central port of the castle towns of Yatsushiro Castle.
