Japanese Samurai Swords in Hokuchin Museum !

by Kazu 

When the pioneers  settled in Hokkaido, many wolves were in the forest and plains. I am not sure the power balance between the wolves  and brown bears in that Era but brown bears survived even now and wolves disappeared. 

It seemed that the wolves in Hokkaido lost their own territory and preys. They need broad territory to keep their family healthy to survive. As a result,  many deer kept their herds and increased the number.

The first settlers were the former Samurai soldiers who brought their soul swords and armers. I found a long Japanese sword to attack the horses' legs to make the riders fall down. It seemed to be rare in this age and era.  

 

Departure for Tokyo !

by Kazu

It was early in the morning on the da of my departure to Delhi India for business. We had to seek for the opportunities of fair deal with the central government of India and the businesses  headquartered there.

Before my departure to the Airport, I jogged around and checked up my neighbors, praying for the safe of my family and friends. 

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 I had bought  ample souvenirs for my friend working in Asian and African Legal Consultative Organization and the would-be friends in India. I was ready to start the special interaction with India.

When The City of Asahikawa was established !

by Kazu
 

What we call "Kunimi no Oka" means "the hill from where the whole hollow of Kamikawa can be seen. Mr. Nagayama contributed to establish the second largest city in Hokkaido Asahikawa.

So many tourists land in Asahikawa International Airport and visit Asahikawa Zoo featuring showcasing the behaviors and activities of the animals.

The official attires of the soldiers were displayed in the museum. Even now, they were so beautiful and made us imagine the procedure to make up the uniform.

In order to keep the shape of the uniforms, the soldiers used trunks made of hard leather and their huts were kept their shapes in the metal boxes. 

 

Water Supply to the Base!

by Kazu

Can you believe that this miniature Ball Room House for the Seventh Battalion in Asahikawa was made of cigarette boxes ?We could see the logos of  the names of the cigarette such as "Seven Star", "Echo" and "Highlight".      

The concrete blocks part was made of the cigarette boxes of "Partner"as you see. The building of the house was for the upper class of the Japanese Imperial Soldiers but a variety of events were held there.

This diorama shows the former whole premises of the Seventh battalion placed in Asahikawa City. It had so large space and facilities in this very cold and beautiful plain.  

 

The Seventh Battalion established in Asahikawa City !

by Kazu

Mr. Takeshirou Nagayama was the first Mayor of Asahikawa City and he was advised to name the region "Nagayama" by the Emperor of Japan at that time.

When Japan fought against China, the central government of Japan recognized the necessity to strengthen the Imperial Army and designated Mr. Nagayama as the leader of the ground army placed in Asahikawa.

The embroidery on the sleeves of their uniform was superb even for the current technicians of embroidery. They had ample power and ability to head the soldiers and citizens.

 

The life of pioneers !

by Kazu

The former samurai soldiers Tondenhei soldiers had tough time in pioneering the new island and develop their land and treasures. With axes, plows, hammers, spades, they cut the huge trees in the forest and made plain. 

Of course, they had to maintain their guns, rifles and swords to fight against huge brown bears and deer. They had to join the battalion to protect the island from Russia.  

The first Mayor of Asahikawa City was former Major General of the Imperial Army of Japan. They made the most of their former imperial army engineers to build large bridges in Asahikawa City. 

 

The Soldiers Settled in Hokkaido !

by Kazu

Above is the typical house of Tondenhei soldiers who settled in Hokkaido. The shabby house with thin wooden wall should be strengthened with peat moss or mud like the houses of Jomon Era in Japan but this miniature house did not show the tips. .

The official uniforms of the official pioneers called Tondenhei soldiers were like these and their usual attire must have been like that on the right hand side. 

Some of them were the samurai soldiers in Edo Era or their descendants. So they have the traditional samurai armors not to lose the spirit never surrendered. 

 

The Pioneers Army settled in Hokkaido !

by Kazu

The development of Hokkaido was implemented mainly by Tondenhei soldiers who settled in Hokkaido. They were given enough foods and money to live for three years and they had to join the training as the guardians of Hokkaido regularly. 

Before that, Matsumae Feudal domain was placed in the southern part of Hokkaido Island by Edo Administration and only southern part developed quickly. 

The pioneers called Tondenhei soldiers must had tough time to develop the island. Some of them were attacked by huge brown bears and fight against them. You may have heard of the bear attack in Sankebetsu Village near current Rumoi City. 

 

When Hokkaido Island had not been developed !

by Kazu

These old records were buried for years despite the orders of the superiors in  the headquarters of the Ground Imperial Army  in Tokyo after Japan was defeated by the United Nations headed by the United States of America.After the Self-Defense Force of Japan had been organized and armed, the documents were dug out.  

I've not read the writing in those documents but they must contain so important things that work against the benefit of the United Nations including the United States of America.

They do not open the contents in those dossier but I am eager to go through the writing in the documents. That may turn over what made us Japanese brainwashed and fooled. 

 

Hokuchin Museum in Asahikawa City !

by Kazu

We visdted Hokuchin Museum run by the Self Defence Force of Japan. It is in Asahikawa City. Affected by the popular animation and comic book "Golden Kamui", it turned to one of the most popular spot to visit in Asahikawa.    

From the history of the Tondenhei Army and 7th Division of the Japanese Imperial Army that defended and reclaimed Hokkaido, to the 2nd Division of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force that walked aside by side with the people of Hokkaido through the various erasof the National Police Reserveand National SafetyForces,

they have around 2,500 precious artefact that tell the story of Hokkaido's reclamationand defense through the years.
 

Ice Hockey! Hokkaido Red Eeagles vs Tochigi Ice Bucks !

by Kazu

It was so cold in Tsukisamu Arena, Sapporo but the game heated up after Tochigi Ice Bucks got a point in the first period. Two gentlemen gave punches each other for a few seconds.

I have ice hockey shoes and enjoy skating on Rideau Canal in Ottawa decades ago and after coming back to Sapporo, enjoyed in Makomanai Arena for a few times but have never tried recent years. 
 

My hockey ice shoes are under my bed now with protectors and helmet. The edge of the skate shoes must be honed up again to enjoy skating.