時代が変わろうが、日本最古の木造灯台の灯はともる 　The times may change, but the lights of Japan's oldest wooden lighthouse are on.

先日、今津紅寒桜をみた帰りに、海に近い酒蔵(さかぐら)通りを自転車で走っていると「今津灯台」のサインボードが目に入った。この機会に灯台の写真を撮ろうと立ち寄ってみた。かなり前に一度遠くから見ただけなのでなんの知識もない。このたびマジかで見ると、そんな私でも興味をそそる歴史感のある雰囲気の灯台だった。

The other day, on my way home from seeing the Imazu Benikanzakura, when I was riding a bicycle on Sakagura Street near the sea, I saw the sign board of "Imazu Lighthouse". I stopped by to take a picture of the lighthouse on this occasion.
I didn't know anything because I only saw it from a distance a long time ago. Looking at it seriously, it was a lighthouse with a historical atmosphere that appealed to me.

西宮はご存じのように銘酒蔵の地である。酒蔵通りという道路周辺には日本でも有数な大手酒造会社が軒を連ねている。ご存じ、大関酒造をはじめ日本盛酒造、白鷹の辰馬本家酒造、白鹿酒造などそうそうたる酒造メーカーなど。

As you know, Nishinomiya is a famous sake brewery. Around the road called Sake Brewery Street, there are many major sake brewing companies in Japan. As you know, there are many sake brewers such as Ozeki Sake Brewery, Nihonsakari Sake Brewery, Tatsuuma Honke Sake Brewery in Shirataka, and Hakushika Sake Brewery.

この今津灯台について調べてみると、この灯台は、酒造メーカーの一つである大関酒造の長部家五代目長兵衛氏によって、江戸にお酒を運ぶ樽廻船(たるかいせん)の航海の安全を願って1810年に建てられものと記されてあった。1984年に、創建当時そのままの姿に復元され、現在では西宮市指定文化財に登録されている。1968年に正式に航路標識として許可され、現役の木造の灯台としては日本最古のもので200年以上の歴史がある。

Looking into this Imazu lighthouse, this lighthouse was designed by Mr. Chobei, the fifth generation of the chief family of Ozeki Sake Brewery, which is one of the brewers, to ensure the safety of the voyage of the taru kaisen that carries sake to Edo. It was written that it was built in 1810 in hopes. In 1984, it was restored to its original appearance when it was first built and is now registered as a cultural property designated by Nishinomiya City. Officially approved as a sea mark in 1968, it is the oldest active wooden lighthouse in Japan and has a history of more than 200 years.

電気制御になるまでは、大関の丁稚さんが毎日油を持って火を灯しに通っていたという。現在はもちろん自動制御で点灯するが、ちょっと珍しい緑の灯り。見ての通り、灯台の後方に大きな水門が完成し景観が損なわれている。また、現役灯台としての役割が果たせなくなっているため今年移転することが決まっているようだ。
場所は、新川の東側（今と反対側）の少し南側。新川の東側に移るという事で、灯台の灯りが緑から赤に変わるという。

It is said that the apprentice of Ozeki went to light the fire every day with oil until it became electric control. Currently, of course, it lights up automatically, but it's a rare green light. As you can see, a large lock has been completed behind the lighthouse, damaging the landscape. In addition, it seems that it has been decided to relocate this year because it is no longer able to fulfill its role as an active lighthouse.
The location is a little south of the east side of Shinkawa (opposite the current side). By moving to the east side of Shinkawa, the light of the lighthouse will change from green to red.

　　　大関酒造の長部家五代目長兵衛氏の石碑がはめ込められている

　　　　　　　　樽廻船 (酒を江戸などに運ぶ船) 石碑

船の安全航海の道標を成してきた灯台の灯を時代が変わろうとも灯し続けてほしいものである。

I hope that the lights of the lighthouse, which has been the guidepost for the safe voyage of ships, will continue to be lit even if the times change.

リポート&写真/ 渡邉雄二　Reported & Photos by Yuji Watanabe