The lantern has seen the history of prospering and decline.
Kompira shrine was known as the worship place from ancient times. In the Edo period, Kompira pilgrimage along with Ise pilgrimage was in fashion among common people.
Marugame port was the gate for the pilgrims and also the gate of Shikoku, so it was bustling with many people. The port lined with Inn, markets, tea houses and restaurants, and tourists were visiting here day and night. Artisans and merchants built their house one after another. Even people from outside of the town wished to move in the town because of vibrance.
In the Meiji period, salt fields were developed in the sea near the port. That brought Marugame town more profit. However, the salt industry in Marugame declined in the Showa period, due to national policy for organizing salt fields.
With passing of an era, a flow of people and goods changed, then gradually they left the town. Most of traditional houses built in the town’s peak became deteriorated, and there are quite a few houses without residents.
灯籠が見た繁栄と衰退
古くから信仰の地として知られていた金毘羅宮。江戸時代、金毘羅参りは伊勢のお蔭参りとともに、庶民の間で流行しました。ここ丸亀港は金毘羅参拝者の上陸港で、当時四国の玄関口として多くの人で賑わっていました。港には、宿や市、茶屋や座敷が立ち並び、昼も夜も絶え間なく旅行客が訪れました。その賑わいから職人や商人の家も続々と建ち並び、いつしかその便利の良さから他所の人が丸亀に引っ越したいと言っていたほどです。
時は変わり明治初期、丸亀の港沖で塩田の開発が行われました。これにより、丸亀の街はさらに潤いを増しましたが、昭和に入り国策によって塩田整理が行われ、丸亀の製塩業は衰退していきます。
時の移ろいとともに人・モノの流れが変わり、1人、また1人とみなと街から人が離れていきました。最盛期に建てられた、風情ある民家の多くは老朽が進み、人の気配すら感じられない場所も少なくありません。
