The Movement of the Japanese and the Ezo (A-inu) Settlements in South-eastern Hokkaido

Abstract

During the pre Meiji Period, Hokkaido was the area where contact between the Japanese and the Ezo (A-inu) took place. History shows that the Japanese enjoyed an expansion of their power through this contact while the Ezo people declined in strength.The history of the advance of the Japanese and the retreat of the Ezo is well reflected in the moves of these two races.These movements can be classified into two main movements. In the first place, the Japanese established a base in the southern part of Oshima Peninsula and gradually widened their territory. The Ezo, on the other hand, receded toward the north. Secondly, in propotion to the tendency of the Ezo being controlled economically by the Japanese, the Ezo gradually moved from the mountainous area to the sea side and concentrated their settlements in places advantageous for contact.This paper is an attempt to clasify to what extent these movments had taken place by the first half of the Bunka period (1804-17) and to show the subsequent regional differences brought about in these changes.As a result, south eastern Hokkaido can be classified as follows:1. South of “Nodaoi” was the settlement of the Japanese. Very few Ezo lived in this region and Japanese villages were located continously along this coast.2. In the area between “Yamakoshinai” and “Shiraoi” were the coastal villages of the Ezo which were predominantly the “Kyosei Buraku” (Proscribed Villages). Ninety-seven per cent of the total villages were located on the coast and the average number of houses per village was sixteen.3. The entire area of coast forming Uchiura bay between the area 1. and 2. were settled by both Japanese and Ezo.4. In the area between “Yufutsu” and “Kushiro” Ezo villages were located along the river. This area has a heavy predominance of “Shizen Buraku” (Free villages). In the western part of this area where the number can be counted clearly, ninety per cent of the total villages were located along the river, and the average number of the houses per village was seven.5. In the area between “Akkeshi” and “Nemuro” there were Ezo coastal villages which were predominantly the “Shizen Buraku”. [footnote] “Kyosei Buraku” (Proscribed Villages)……Villages in which the Ezo were compelled to live by the Japanese.“Shizen Buraku” (Free Villages)……Villages in which the Ezo prefered to live.