Shirayama-no-ki｜The Shirayama-no-ki Archives

A History of Mt. Hakusan Spiced Up with Nature and Faith Conflicts rooted in religious causes, warfare with nature, move to modernization, etc.This section introduces an extraordinary history of Mt. Hakusan and footsteps of the people living at the foot of the mountain.

[Mt. Hakusan]
Along with Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tate, Mt. Hakusan is counted as one of the three noted mountains of Japan. It was once called Shirayama which means a white mountain, and was read in a poem in “A Collection of Myriad Leaves”(the oldest extant anthology of poems). About 300 years ago, however, this mountain was designated as Mt. Hakusan to distinguish from Shirayama (literally means a white mountain as well) Hime Shrine at the foot of this mountain.

dominical year	affair
About 2nd century	The Yayoi culture spreads to Tedori Valley
682	Saicho, a great teacher of Buddhism, born in a small village in Echizen (current Fukui prefecture)
717	Saicho climbed Mt. Hakusan
832	Three riding grounds opened in Kaga, Echizen and Mino
1163	The History of Mt. Hakusan, the oldest history of the shrines of Mt.Hakusan compiled
13th century	Ushikubi Village founded
1471～5	Rinsaiji Temple converted to the Shinshu sect
1475	Masachika Togashi, a local load, brought pressure upon Ikko sect on a full-scale
1488	Masachika Togashi conquered by Ikko Ikki peasant's rebellion
1554	Mt. Hakusan erupted
1579	Mt. Hakusan erupted
1598	Cadastral surveys by Taiko (father of the Imperial advisor)
1655	Disputes about rights and interests related to Mt. Hakusan started between Ushikubi/Kazarashi and Ozoe villages
1667	18 villages designated as an Imperial demesne
1698	Disputes about rights and interests related to Mt. Hakusan started again between Ushikubi/Kazarashi and Ozoe villages
1699	The Genroku case (Mt. Hakusan disputes) settled by commissioner of shrines and temples
1711	Disputes between Heisenji Temple and Ushikubi/Kazarashi villages started
1717	Great flood of the Hakusan-roku region
1728	Disputes between Heisenji Temple and Ushikubi/Kazarashi villages finally settled
1732	Final judgment on the Mt. Hakusan disputes issued from the government
1736	Disputes between Ushikubi/Kazarashi villages and Itoshiro started
1833	Nationwide poor harvest over the years starts
1866	Economic slowdown due to falling prices of cocoons and yarns
1868	Order of Separation of Buddhism and Shintoism issued
1871	Hakusan-roku region transferred to Honpo, Takayama and Ashiu prefectures
1872	Hakusan-roku region transferred to Nomi-gun, Ishikawa prefecture
1876	Ushikubi, Kazarashi and Kawachi villages merged to be Shiramine village
1889	The municipal system put into force Shiramine, Kuwajima and Shimo-tawara villages merged to be Shiramine village
1896	Great flood
1913	Hakusan sand guard work started
1922	Lodges on Mt. Hakusan built by prefectural government
1924	Kuwajima Bridge completed
1924	Driveway to and fro in the Kaga area completed
1934	Great flood of Tedori River on July 11
1955	Mt. Hakusan designated as a semi-national park
1960	Kanko dancing (Shiramine) and Deku-mawashi puppet performance (Oguchi) designated as Ishikawa Prefectural Intangible Cultural Properties
1962	Mt. Hakusan designated as a national park
1977	Hakusan Super Forest Road opened
1980	Mt. Hakusan designated as a special biosphere by UNESCO