有限会社 芳美商事

「HACHIOJI」という実験

 

第1章: 東京都八王子市の出発

朝の東京駅。そこには、忙しい日常の喧騒を背にした一人の旅人が立っていた。彼の名は高木昭平。故郷を離れ、東京の街で何年も働き続けた男である。しかし、ある日、彼は「八王子」という地名を耳にし、心の奥に何かを感じ取った。そんな直感から、彼は決意した。「八王子を巡る旅に出よう」と。

 

列車の発車音とともに、彼の旅が始まる。東京駅から中央線の快速に乗り込むと、車内は静かな朝の空気を抱えている。約40分の道のり。窓の外に広がる景色は、次第に都会の喧騒から郊外の風景へと変わっていった。電車が高架を渡り、下町の風情が見え始める頃には、昭平の心もどこか落ち着いてきた。

 

八王子駅に到着すると、彼は駅前のバス停へ向かい、八王子神社行きのバスに乗る。バスがゆっくりと進むにつれて、周囲の景色はますます静かになり、昭平の心は落ち着き、どこか懐かしさを感じ始めた。やがて、目的地の八王子神社に到着した。

 

神社は、まるで時が止まったかのような厳かな空気に包まれていた。古木が立ち並ぶ境内には、歴史の重みを感じさせる石碑がいくつも建っており、昭平はそのひとつひとつに目を留めながら歩みを進めた。この八王子神社が、江戸時代から続く「八王子権現」に由来していることを彼は知らなかった。しかし、この神社には、昭平がずっと探し求めていた何かがあるような気がしてならなかった。

 

神社の本殿に到着した昭平は、静かに手を合わせた。その瞬間、不思議なことが起こった。空気が一変し、彼の目の前に異様な光景が広がった。まるで別世界に足を踏み入れたかのように、八王子神社の境内は変わり、昔の人々が賑やかに行き交っている姿が見えたのだ。彼の目の前に現れたのは、江戸時代の八王子村の人々であり、神社の祭りが行われている最中であった。

 

その時、昭平の胸の奥に何かが響いた。「これは、ただの偶然ではない」と強く感じた。過去と現在、そして未来が交錯する瞬間。彼はその謎を解くために、次の土地へと向かう決意を固めた。

 

バスに乗り込み、再び八王子駅に向かう。彼の目の前に広がるのは、現代の八王子市の風景だが、心の中ではすでに次の「八王子」を目指す気持ちが強くなっていた。次は、埼玉県さいたま市中央区の八王子だ。

 

第2章: さいたま市中央区八王子

昭平は東京駅から出発してから、すでに数時間が経過していた。電車の窓から見える風景は、八王子から遠く離れ、次なる目的地、埼玉県さいたま市中央区の八王子地区へと向かう途中だ。中央線での移動から、彼の心は何度も揺れた。目指すべき場所がただの地名ではないことに気づき、彼の胸は妙な高揚感で満たされていた。

 

やがて大宮駅に到着し、昭平は京浜東北線に乗り換えた。車内は通勤時間帯のためか、若干の混雑があった。立っている人々の中には、彼と同じように日常に追われる顔が多い。しかし昭平の心の中では、他の誰にも見えない景色が広がっていた。八王子という謎めいた地名が、まるで彼の運命を引き寄せるように絡み合っている感覚があった。

 

駅を降りると、すぐにバスに乗り換え、八王子地区へ向かう。住宅街を抜け、静かな道を進むうちに、昭平は一つのことに気づく。八王子という名の土地は、思いのほか地味で目立たない場所だった。しかし、それが逆に彼に何かを訴えかけているようであった。すぐにバスは、旧与野市の八王子地区に到着する。

 

バスを降りた昭平が足を踏み入れたのは、広がる住宅地の一角だ。平凡な町並みが続く中、彼は町の中でただ一つ異彩を放つ場所を見つけた。それは、町の隅に立つ、立派な八王子神社だった。神社の鳥居が、どこか遠くの時代に向けて何かを訴えているように感じられる。その鳥居の前に立つと、突然彼は言いようのない圧倒的な静寂に包まれた。

 

昭平が足を踏み入れた瞬間、ふと風が吹いた。神社の境内に吹き込む風は、まるで時の流れを変えるかのようだった。彼は、無意識のうちに本殿の前に進んでいた。その場所で手を合わせると、胸の奥で何かがひときわ強く響いた。神社の本殿に込められた力、それは目に見えないものではあるが、確かに存在しているように感じられる。

 

「ここで何かが始まったのだ」と、彼は確信を持った。

 

彼の手のひらに伝わった温もり。今まで感じたことのない感覚が、まるで何かに引き寄せられるかのように体全体を包んでいった。突然、昭平の前に不思議な人物が現れた。それは年老いた僧侶だった。白髪交じりの髪をたなびかせたその男は、昭平に向かって静かに微笑んだ。

 

「八王子という名の地を訪れる者よ。お前の来るべき時が来たのだ」と、僧侶は呟いた。

 

昭平は驚きながらも、心の中で確信を抱いた。この僧侶が、ただの偶然で現れたわけではないことを。そしてその後、僧侶はゆっくりと語り始めた。

 

「この八王子の地には、何世代にもわたる謎が秘められている。多くの者がそれを解こうとしたが、誰一人としてその答えを見つけることができなかった。しかしお前のような者が現れるのを、我々は待っていたのだ」

 

その言葉に、昭平は深く感動したが、同時に恐れも感じた。これは単なる地名の話ではない。八王子という土地が秘める、何か大きな力が動き出そうとしているのだ。それを解き明かさなければならないという使命感が、彼の胸を激しく打った。

 

僧侶はさらに続けた。

 

「お前の旅路は、ここで終わることはない。次なる八王子へ、向かう時が来た。それが、お前にとって最も重要な答えを得る場所だろう」

 

昭平は、その言葉の意味を掴みきれなかった。しかし、今はただ一つ確かなことがあった。それは、彼の旅が始まったばかりだということだ。新たな八王子、次の地へと向かわなければならない。

 

第2章: さいたま市中央区八王子から新潟へ（上越新幹線編）

夕暮れ時、昭平は大宮駅に到着した。すでに太陽は沈みかけており、街の灯りが一つ、また一つと点き始めていた。外はひんやりとした冷気が漂っていたが、それでも心地よい秋の夜風が彼の顔を撫でていった。彼は一息つくと、駅構内に向かって歩き始める。今日はもう、移動の疲れがかなりたまっていた。それでも、彼の心はどこか落ち着いていた。次なる八王子を目指すために、上越新幹線の「とき」を利用する予定だ。

 

駅の案内表示を確認し、昭平は「新潟行き」の表示を目指して歩を進めた。少しだけ迷子になりかけたが、すぐに改札口を見つけ、上越新幹線の乗車券を購入。新幹線のホームに向かうと、時刻はすでに夕方の6時を過ぎていた。昭平は新幹線の発車時刻を確認し、ちょうどよく予定通りの「とき」が発車する時間に間に合った。

 

新幹線に乗り込むと、車内はまだ混雑していなかった。席に座ると、窓の外には既に暗くなった風景が広がっている。昭平は少し休もうと思い、スマホを取り出し、改めて次の計画を立て始めた。彼の目の前には新潟行きの切符、そしてまだ見ぬ八王子が待っている。

 

上越新幹線は、東京から新潟に至るまで、次第に人里離れた自然を通過していく。車内が静まり返り、昭平はふと自分の周囲に目をやった。ビジネスマン、家族連れ、そして一人旅のような人々。すべての顔に、どこかそれぞれの物語がありそうな気がした。

 

7時半、上越新幹線「とき」は新潟駅に到着した。

 

窓の外の風景は、東京の喧騒を遥かに超えて、完全に夜の新潟に変わりつつあった。駅を降りると、肌に感じる寒さが都会とは違うもので、昭平は自然と肩をすくめた。新潟駅の構内を抜け、外に出ると夜の冷気が肌を刺す。

 

ホテルへの行き方をスマホで調べ、タクシーでビジネスホテルに向かうことに決めた。小さなホテルだったが、疲れた体には十分すぎるほどだった。チェックインを済ませると、部屋に足を運び、長時間の移動によりかなり疲れていたことに気づく。暖房を入れ、シャワーを浴び、少しだけ横になる。

 

夕食の時間。昭平はホテルの近くの居酒屋で、軽く食事を済ませることにした。店内は賑やかで、カウンター席に座ると、隣の客が話しかけてきた。「新潟にいらしたんですか？観光ですか？」と聞かれ、昭平は軽くうなずいた。「まあ、そんなところです」とだけ答える。

 

食事をしながら、昭平は今の自分の心境を考えた。疲れた体を休めながらも、彼の頭の中には次に待っている長岡の街のことがひっきりなしに浮かんできた。彼が訪れる「八王子」には、何かしらの秘密が隠されているのだろう。それが明らかになる時、その先に何が待ち受けているのか。いずれにせよ、この旅がどんな形になるのかは、まだ誰にもわからない。

 

食事を終えた昭平は、再びホテルへ戻り、ゆっくりと寝る準備をした。明日、長岡へ向かうためにレンタカーを手配していた。新潟から長岡へは車で約1時間半の距離だ。今日はもう何も考えずに休むことに決めた。明日こそ、次なる八王子の謎に迫らなければならない。

 

翌朝。朝食を済ませた昭平は、ホテルから歩いてレンタカーの営業所に向かった。少し肌寒い朝の空気を吸いながら、彼はこれからの旅路を改めて感じていた。長岡までの道のりは、きっと退屈なものではないだろう。車を走らせながら、彼は思った。新潟の風景がどこか懐かしく、心の中に何かしらのつながりを感じさせるからだ。

 

車のエンジンがかかると、昭平は再び運転席に座り、ハンドルを握った。これから進むべき道、そして彼が辿る八王子の名を巡る旅が、確実に続いていくのだという確信を抱きながら。

 

第3章: 長岡への道

新潟市内での朝を迎えた昭平は、ホテルの朝食を済ませ、レンタカーを借りた。長岡までの道のりは約1時間半。朝の新潟の町を抜けると、車は次第に郊外の広がりを見せ、平坦な風景が続く。大きな道路を抜け、ひたすら続く田園風景を眺めながら、昭平は車を走らせていた。

 

長岡への道中、彼はふと何度も車内でぼんやりと考えていた。「次の八王子、果たしてどんな土地で、どんな人々に出会うのだろうか」と。しかし、心の中でその答えは曖昧なままだ。八王子の名前はどこにでもあり、たくさんの人々が同じようにその名を耳にしている。それなのに、なぜこんなにも惹かれるのか。昭平はその謎を追い求めるように、車のハンドルを握った。

 

車内のラジオが流れ、時間はゆっくりと進んでいく。田園地帯の広がりに包まれ、少し眠くなりかけた頃、目的地である長岡に近づいてきた。

 

10時、長岡市に到着。

 

昭平は長岡の街に入ると、静かな町並みが迎えてくれた。ここでもまた、八王子という名前の地名があった。それを知った時、彼は再び驚きとともにその地を目指して車を進める。

 

車を駐車場に停めると、周囲には古い街並みと共に近代的な建物が並んでいた。昭平は地図を確認しながら、八王子地区を探し始める。その途中、ちょうど散歩をしている老人とすれ違った。思わず声をかけると、老人はにっこりと笑い、「八王子、いい場所だよ」と言った。昭平はその一言が、まるで彼に何かを示唆するかのように感じられ、心の中でその意味を考え続ける。

 

ランチタイム、長岡市内のレストラン。

 

街のレストランで昼食を取った昭平は、窓の外に広がる景色を見ながら、これからの予定を再確認した。長岡での滞在時間は、あまり長く取れなかった。彼は次に訪れるべき八王子の場所、さらにその先に待つべき答えを求めて動き出さなければならなかった。しかし、長岡の地で感じる何かしらの静けさが、心に重くのしかかるような気がした。

 

その時、店内に入ってきた中年の男性が、昭平の隣に座り、会話を始めた。男性は「長岡の八王子には、古い神社があるんですよ。昔から地元の人々に信仰されてきた場所でね」と話し始めた。彼の言葉に耳を傾けながら、昭平はその神社の場所について尋ねてみると、すぐに地図を手に取り、「この辺りだよ」と指差した。

 

その神社には、八王子権現が祭られているという。その名に込められた歴史や、地元の人々にとっての神聖な意味について、彼はますます興味を引かれる。

 

午後、八王子神社へ

 

その神社に向かう途中、昭平は周囲の雰囲気に身を委ねて歩きながら、心の中で再び自問した。「八王子という名が、なぜこんなにも魅力的なのか」。新潟、そして長岡における八王子という地名は、どこか異様なほどに彼を引き寄せる力を持っていた。

 

八王子神社に到着した昭平は、しばらく境内を歩き回り、静けさと神聖な空気を感じ取った。鳥居をくぐり、拝殿に向かって手を合わせると、不思議な感覚が体中を駆け抜ける。それは、どこか懐かしいような、あるいはこれから何か大きな出来事が起こる予感がするような不思議な気持ちだった。

 

その後、神社の境内で話をしていた地元の人々から、八王子権現が昔から地域の守り神として崇められ、多くの人々の生活の一部となっていたことを知る。

 

休憩と次なる提案

ここで昭平はふと、次のステップをどう進めるかを考え始める。長岡にはまだ見ていない場所や、彼に新たな気づきを与えるような場所が多く存在するだろう。しかし、もし次の八王子を訪れる場合、さらに時間をかけてそれぞれの土地を深く知ることが必要かもしれない。さて、どうするべきだろうか。

 

第4章: 八王子幻夢譚

それは、夕刻の湯気立つ長岡の外れにある古びた温泉宿にてのことであった。八王子神社を後にした昭平が辿り着いたその温泉は、地元の人々が密かに愛し、都会からの訪問者が時折紛れ込む、ひっそりとした一角に佇むものだった。暖簾をくぐり、薄暗い湯屋に入った昭平は、どこか懐かしさを感じながら、重い体をゆっくりと湯船に沈めた。

 

湯気が立ち込める中、昭平の目は次第に重くなり、彼は知らぬ間に眠りへと誘われた。微かな笛の音が耳の奥で響くような気がしたが、それは夢の中の出来事だったのだろうか。いや、夢とも現ともつかぬ奇妙な感覚に、彼は静かに引き込まれていった。

 

「ふと目を覚ませば――そこは異界であった」

 

湯の中にあったはずの昭平が、目を開けた時にはまったく違う場所にいた。黒々とした夜空の下、彼の目の前に広がっていたのは、静まり返った京都府八幡市上津屋八王子の地であった。足元には石畳が続き、その先にぽつりと灯る行灯が、不気味な影を落としている。

 

「ここは……どこだ……？」昭平の声は震え、辺りに吸い込まれるように消えた。彼が立つその場所には、古びた社が一つ、まるで彼を待ち構えていたかのように存在していた。八王子という名の地名が織り成す縁が、彼をこの地へと導いたのか。それとも、これは何者かの思惑によるものか。

 

義太夫の語りの調べが遠くから響くように、風が言葉を運んできた。

 

「聞いて驚け、語って憂えよ。ここは八王子、上津屋なる場所に候。」

 

月の光が幽かに差し込む中、昭平は歩みを進めた。社の前に立つと、そこには奇妙な文字が刻まれた石碑があった。文字は古く、読もうとすればするほど、頭の中に鈍い痛みが広がる。「これは一体……？」と呟くや否や、背後から風が音を立てて吹き荒れる。

 

振り返ると、そこには烏帽子を被った異形の者が立っていた。その姿は人とも鬼ともつかぬ。男とも女ともつかぬ声が、深く低く響いた。

 

「お主、何ゆえこの地に迷い込んだのか。八王子の名を追う愚か者よ、その背負いし因果を思い知れ。」

 

昭平はその場に立ち尽くした。言葉を発することもできず、ただその存在を見つめるしかなかった。その異形は続けた。

 

「八王子という名を辿るたび、さらなる地獄の底を覗き見るがよい。さすれば、その名の真の意味が明かされよう。」

 

その瞬間、昭平の目の前に無数の幻影が現れた。それは、これまで彼が訪れた八王子の土地と、人々の姿だった。しかし、それらの光景は次第に歪み、奇怪な姿に変わっていった。まるでその土地に秘められた何かが、昭平を飲み込もうとしているようだった。

 

「運命に翻弄されし者の物語は、なお続く――」

 

その言葉とともに、昭平は再び意識を失った。そして、次に目を覚ました時、彼はどこか見知らぬ土地に立っていた。

 

第5章: 手結内港の影

冷たく湿った風が、昭平の頬を撫でた。まどろみの中、彼は体を動かそうとするが、周囲の光景が妙に揺れている。気づけば、彼は狭い木製の小舟に横たわっていた。目の前には、暗い水面が静かに広がっている。空はまだ薄明るく、朝日が水面に微かに反射している。

 

「ここは……どこだ……？」昭平はぼんやりと呟いた。自分がどのようにしてここに至ったのか、記憶が断片的で繋がらない。

 

舟がゆっくりと進む先に、小さな港が見えた。後に知ることになるが、それは手結内港――江戸時代初期に掘り込まれた、わが国初の本格的な港であった。昭平は手を伸ばして舟を岸に寄せ、何とか上陸する。足元の石畳は湿り気を帯び、朝露が漂う空気が彼の鼻腔をくすぐった。

 

「歴史に刻まれし港の記憶」

 

港の周囲は静まり返っており、誰の姿も見えない。昭平はふと、港の石碑に目をやった。そこには、「承応二年、野中兼山が掘りし港」と刻まれている。かつてここが土佐藩の物流の中心地であり、当時としては驚異的な規模を誇ったことを物語るその文字に、昭平は一瞬心を奪われた。

 

彼は歩きながら、この港がどれほどの歴史を見つめてきたのかを思い巡らせた。しかし、その背後で微かに聞こえる水音と、どこからともなく漂う笛の音が、現実と夢の境界を曖昧にしていく。振り返っても誰もいない。ただ、港の水面が静かに波打つだけだった。

 

「北への道」

 

昭平は、目の前の石畳から伸びる小道に沿って歩き出すと、通りかかったタクシーに声をかけた。行き先は香美市――その地にも八王子の名を持つ場所があるという話を、どこかで耳にした記憶があったからだ。

 

タクシーの運転手は寡黙だったが、車内に流れるラジオからは、地元の観光案内のような情報が淡々と語られていた。「手結内港、承応二年完成……ふるさとの誇り……」その言葉に昭平は耳を傾けつつも、やはり心に一抹の不安がよぎる。なぜ自分はここにいるのか、そして次の八王子が何を意味しているのか。

 

窓の外には田園風景が広がり、山の稜線がかすかに見えた。時折、通り過ぎる集落には古びた家々が点在し、昭平はその静けさに包まれながら、自らの足跡を見つめ直す時間を得たような気がした。

 

「香美市の入り口」

 

タクシーが香美市に入る頃、時刻は昼過ぎになっていた。昭平は運転手に礼を述べ、街の中心部で降り立つ。目的地である八王子地区は、さらに車で進む必要がありそうだが、昭平はその前に一息つくことにした。

 

香美市の商店街を歩いていると、古びた看板を掲げた食堂が目に入った。「ここで昼食をとろう」と昭平は店に入る。地元の郷土料理を注文し、出てきた皿の温かさに安堵を覚える。

 

食事をしながら、彼はふと、テーブルに置かれた観光パンフレットに目を留めた。そこには、「香美市八王子地区――土佐の神秘を巡る旅」との文字が記されていた。昭平はそれを手に取り、次なる目的地への手がかりを探し始めた。

 

第6章: 龍河洞の呼び声

香美市に到着した昭平は、タクシーの運転手に勧められるまま、まずは龍河洞を訪れることにした。運転手は「ここを見ずして香美市を語ることなかれ」と豪語しながら、洞窟の歴史や魅力について語った。昭平はその話を聞きながら、少しずつ高まる期待に胸を弾ませていた。

 

「龍河洞、時を刻む洞窟」

 

龍河洞の入り口に立った昭平は、その静謐な空気と迫りくるような岩壁の壮大さに圧倒された。中に足を踏み入れると、薄暗い光の中、鍾乳石が何千年もの歳月をかけて作り上げた神秘的な世界が広がっていた。ひんやりとした空気が肌に触れるたび、彼は過去と現在の境界を越えているような感覚に包まれた。

 

観光案内の声を聞きながら進むと、洞窟の奥に「神の間」と呼ばれる大きな空間が現れた。そこには祭壇のような自然の造形があり、昭平は一瞬、息を呑んだ。その場に立った瞬間、不思議な感覚が彼を襲った。視界が歪み、耳元には何か囁くような声が聞こえた。

 

「時空の裂け目」

 

突然、洞窟の壁が微かに震え、足元が揺れた。昭平が振り返ろうとしたその瞬間、彼の周囲を白い光が包み込み、全身が引きずられるような感覚に囚われた。目を開けると、そこは見知らぬ場所――いや、見覚えのある風景だった。

 

「八王子宮への道」

 

気づけば、昭平は八王子宮の参道に立っていた。桜並木が広がるその道は、香美市の八王子地区にある歴史的な神社のものだった。彼は驚きながらも、その美しい風景に心を奪われた。初春の陽光が参道を照らし、微風に揺れる桜の花びらが降り注いでいた。

 

「これが……八王子宮か……」

 

神社の境内は、静寂そのものだった。鳥居をくぐると、緩やかな階段が続き、彼はその先にある本殿を目指して歩き出した。昭平が本殿に到着すると、神主らしき男性が彼を出迎えた。男性は昭平を見るなり、こう言った。

 

「ようこそ、八王子宮へ。ここは八王子の名を持つ神々を祀る地。その旅路、まだ終わりには遠いようですね。」

 

昭平はその言葉に驚きつつも、自分が何か運命的なものに導かれているような感覚を覚えた。本殿で祈りを捧げた後、隣接する八王子公園を歩き、地元の人々と触れ合う中で、この地が古くから桜の名所として親しまれてきたことを知った。

 

「龍河洞と八王子の謎」

 

その日の夕方、昭平は再びタクシーで香美市を後にした。彼の心には、龍河洞での不思議な体験と八王子宮の荘厳な空気が刻まれていた。そして、彼は気づいていた。この旅路が、単なる観光ではないことを。

 

次なる八王子を目指す昭平。その旅が彼に何を見せ、何を語りかけるのか。まだ道は遠い。

 

第7章: 天空への旅路

八王子宮でのひとときを過ごした昭平は、その足で香美市のホテルへと戻った。ラグジュアリーなスイートルームで一息ついた彼は、スマートフォンを手に取り、アメックス・センチュリオンカードの専属コンシェルジュに電話をかけた。24時間対応のこのサービスは、彼の旅をさらに特別なものにする強力な味方だ。

 

「高知から山口宇部空港までのヘリ移動をお願いしたい。最短で、できるだけスムーズに。」

 

柔らかな声のオペレーターが「お任せください」と応じると、瞬く間にエコヘリの手配が整った。高知空港から山口宇部空港までのヘリ便――それは彼の旅を、地上から天空へと引き上げるものであった。

 

「ラグジュアリーな空の旅」

 

翌朝、昭平はエコヘリの受付で迎え入れられた。黒いスーツに身を包んだ案内係が、彼の到着を待ち構えている。「センチュリオンカードをお持ちの方ですね。お待ちしておりました。」流れるような対応に昭平は微笑みを返し、ヘリコプターへと案内される。

 

ヘリの内部は、まさに空中のラウンジだった。革張りの座席、広々とした窓、そして地元産のシャンパンが用意されている。昭平は心地よいエンジン音に耳を傾けながら、眼下に広がる四国の山々と海岸線を眺めていた。

 

「こうして見ると、旅そのものが芸術だな……」

 

機内では軽食が振る舞われた。高知の特産品を使ったおにぎりと、香り豊かな柚子のスイーツ。普段は質素な旅を好む昭平だが、この一瞬だけは特権を存分に味わうことにした。

 

「山口宇部空港への着陸」

 

およそ93分のフライトの後、ヘリは山口宇部空港に降り立った。整備された滑走路と周囲の緑が調和する風景が、彼を新たな土地へと誘う。空港スタッフが彼を出迎え、タクシー手配や次の旅路のサポートを申し出た。

 

昭平はふと考えた。この特別な移動手段は、ただ便利なだけでなく、人生の贅沢とは何かを教えてくれるようだった。「旅は心を豊かにする。その価値は、手段や距離ではなく、自分がどう感じるかにかかっているのだろう。」

 

「次なる八王子を目指して」

 

空港からの移動手段を整えた昭平は、次なる目的地――山口県下松市の八王子地区を目指すことにした。これまでの旅で体験した不思議な出来事の数々が、彼の胸中にさらなる期待感を芽生えさせていた。

 

「次の八王子では、どんな出会いが待っているのか？」

 

彼の目は再び前を向いていた。八王子の名を冠する地が、彼に運命の秘密を囁く瞬間を待っているように。

 

第8章: 漂泊の詩、八王子の風

山口宇部空港に降り立った昭平は、次なる目的地として防府市八王子地区を選んだ。そこは、漂泊の俳人・種田山頭火の生家跡があり、彼の足跡を辿ることができる場所である。昭平は、山頭火の自由奔放な生き様に、自らの旅路を重ね合わせてみたいと感じていた。

 

タクシーで防府市内を進むと、やがて八王子地区に到着した。昭平はまず、種田山頭火の生家跡を訪れた。現在は跡地となっているが、彼が幼少期を過ごした場所として、その面影を偲ぶことができる。生家跡から小学校へ通った道は「山頭火の小径」として整備されており、昭平はその道をゆっくりと歩いた。道中には山頭火の句碑が点在し、彼の詩情に触れることができる。

 

「雨ふるふるさとははだしであるく」

 

この句碑の前で立ち止まった昭平は、山頭火の心情に思いを馳せた。彼もまた、定住することなく各地を放浪し、自由な心で世界を見つめていたのだろうか。昭平は、自らの旅が山頭火のそれと重なるような感覚を覚えた。

 

さらに歩みを進めると、戎ヶ森公園に辿り着いた。この公園内には恵比寿神社が鎮座しており、地元の人々に大切にされている。小さな鳥居と社があり、その傍らには山頭火の句碑も設置されている。昭平は手を合わせ、旅の安全を祈願した。公園内は静寂に包まれ、都会の喧騒を忘れさせるひとときであった。

 

恵比寿神社の祭礼が行われる時期には、地域の人々が集い、くじ引きやおぜんざいの振る舞いなど、和やかな雰囲気が広がるという。昭平は、その情景を思い浮かべながら、地域の絆と伝統の深さに心を打たれた。

 

昭平は、山頭火の生家跡や戎ヶ森公園を巡る中で、彼の詩に込められた思いと、自らの旅路の意味を重ね合わせていた。旅とは、ただ場所を移動するだけでなく、自らの内面と向き合い、新たな発見をすることでもある。昭平は、山頭火の足跡を辿ることで、自らの旅の意義を再認識したのだった。

 

第9章: 渥美半島の孤独

昭平は新幹線を乗り継ぎ、東へと進んだ。名古屋駅での乗り換えを経て、田原市行きのローカル線に乗り込み、車窓から眺める風景に心を奪われた。田原市は渥美半島の真ん中に位置しており、北には三河港が広がり、その先には遠州灘が穏やかな海を広げている。遠くには伊良湖岬が見え、海と大地が織り成す独特の風景が広がっていた。昭平は、海と陸の交錯するこの場所に、何か深い秘密が隠されているような気がしていた。

 

田原市に到着し、駅を降りると、風景は予想外に寂しさを感じさせた。昭平は町並みに足を踏み入れ、ゆっくりと歩きながら周囲を見渡す。空は灰色の雲に覆われ、古びた看板と寂れた店の並ぶ通りを歩いていると、どこか時が止まったような印象を受けた。昭平はその寂しさに包まれた町で何かを感じ取るように、足を止めた。

 

駅からほど近い場所に、昭平が訪れたかった八幡社があった。歴史ある神社で、町の人々にとっては長い間信仰の対象となっている。八幡社は、田原市の地名の由来とも関わりがあると言われており、この地方の古い歴史が感じられる場所だった。社の境内には、木々がしげり、静かな空気が漂っていた。昭平は神社の境内に足を踏み入れ、何か心を落ち着けるように深呼吸をした。地元の人々にとって、この神社は生活の一部となり、代々守られてきたのだろう。

 

その後、道を隔てた側にある雑多な生活用品を扱う小さな店舗「マルハチ」に立ち寄った。昭平は、店内の奥に並べられた商品をぼんやりと眺めていた。棚にはさまざまな日用品や食料品が雑然と並べられ、ひとときの温かみを感じさせる。何気ない日常がそこには息づいていた。

 

店の前に設置されていた自動販売機を見つけた昭平は、ふと目を留めた。そこには「飲むスイーツ」シリーズの新商品、「やきいもオレ ホット」の文字があった。昭平はその興味深い商品を購入し、少し戸惑いながらも飲み始めた。口に広がるのは、鹿児島産の焼き安納芋パウダーを使用した、濃厚で香ばしいやきいもの味。昭平はその味わいに微笑みながら、静かな町並みを見渡した。

 

「確かに、やきいもの濃厚さや香ばしさを再現しているな…」と彼は呟いた。町の静けさと相まって、この一杯が妙に心に染み込んでいくようだった。

 

飲み終えた昭平は、再び町を歩きながら、しばらくその風景に浸っていた。田原市の静かな町並みは、どこか昔懐かしいものを感じさせると同時に、時間が止まったような寂しさもあった。それでも、昭平はどこか心が満たされるような感覚を覚えた。この町には、過去と未来が交錯する不思議な力が宿っているような気がした。

 

第10章: 田原市の裏側、潜む謎

田原市の八王子町を歩く昭平は、その静けさの裏に何か特別なものが隠されていると直感していた。人通りの少ない道を抜けると、薄暗く細い小路が目に入った。普段ならば通り過ぎてしまいそうな路地だが、そこに漂う妙な気配に引き寄せられるように、昭平は足を踏み入れた。

 

小路を進むと、昭平は一軒の廃屋にたどり着いた。崩れかけた木の扉と苔むした石段が、その家が長い間放置されていることを物語っていた。しかし、扉の前には人が通った跡があり、何か最近まで活動があったような気配を漂わせている。昭平は少し躊躇したが、扉を押してみると、軋む音とともに中へ入ることができた。

 

中は薄暗く、古い家具が乱雑に置かれ、埃が空気中に舞っている。だが、壁際の棚に並んだ古い文書や地図が目に入った。昭平はその中から一冊の手帳を手に取った。手帳の表紙には「八王子信仰記録」と書かれており、その文字が彼の目を引いた。

 

ページをめくると、この地の八王子町にまつわる奇妙な記録が記されていた。それは、この町がかつて海賊たちの隠れ家として利用されていたという話だった。さらに、八幡社の祭神が海上安全を守る神として崇められ、その加護のもとで海賊たちが活動していたと記されている。昭平は、渥美半島の地形がその活動を隠すのに適していたという記述に、なるほどと頷いた。

 

記録にはこうも書かれていた。

「この町の八幡社の本殿の奥には、かつて海賊たちが財宝を隠したとされる洞穴がある。しかし、その洞穴に入ることを許される者は、神に選ばれた者のみ――」

 

昭平は記録の内容に胸を高鳴らせながらも、その一文に違和感を覚えた。神に選ばれた者とは、いったい何を意味するのか。彼は、この町の静けさがただの寂しさではなく、過去の影を隠していることを確信した。

 

翌朝、昭平は再び八幡社を訪れた。本殿の周囲を調べると、記録にあった洞穴の入口らしき場所を見つけた。祠の裏手にある苔むした岩の間に、狭い隙間が見えたのだ。昭平は慎重に隙間を広げ、奥へと進むことを決意した。

 

洞穴の中は冷たい空気に包まれ、足元の岩は滑りやすかった。昭平は手探りで進むと、やがて奥に古びた木箱を見つけた。その箱の上には、八角形の鏡のようなものが置かれていた。鏡は不思議な光を放ち、昭平が手を触れると、まるで生きているかのように震えた。

 

鏡の中に浮かぶ光景は、これまで訪れた八王子たちの風景だった。東京、埼玉、新潟……そのすべてが繋がり、一本の糸で結ばれているように思えた。昭平はその鏡が旅の次なる道筋を示しているのではないかと感じた。鏡を手にした瞬間、洞穴全体が揺れ始めた。

 

急いで外に出ると、空には一羽の鷲が舞っていた。その姿が、どこか八幡社の神使のように思えた昭平は、鏡を抱きしめ、次の旅の準備を始めた。

 

第11章: 終焉の地、京都の八王子

新幹線の車窓に広がる風景を眺めながら、昭平はこれまでの旅路を振り返っていた。東京から始まり、埼玉、新潟、高知、山口、愛知――八王子という名を追いながら、数々の土地を巡った。この旅が何を意味するのか、旅の終わりにどんな答えが待っているのか、未だつかめないまま京都へ向かう。

 

京都駅に降り立った昭平は、喧騒から少し離れた場所に向かうため、歩き始めた。京都の冬の風は冷たく、街を包む独特の静けさが心に沁み渡る。目指すのは、下京区八王子町――彼がこの旅の終焉と決めた場所だ。

 

高瀬川、歴史の流れ

八王子町は、京都の中心地にありながら、その喧騒から一歩引いたような場所にあった。歩道に沿って流れる高瀬川は、澄んだ水を静かにたたえ、川辺に植えられた桜の木々は、冬の寒さに枝だけを残していた。その風景には、華やかな京都とは異なる、ひっそりとした趣があった。

 

高瀬川はかつて、京都と伏見を結ぶ物流の大動脈だったという。木材や米、酒が運ばれ、舟が行き交った往時の繁栄を思いながら、昭平は川沿いを歩いた。冬の薄曇りの空が、川面に淡い影を落とし、京都の持つ時間の重みを感じさせる。

 

しかし、八王子町には、この旅の他の地と違い、神社や仏閣が見当たらない。それが逆に、この場所を特別なものにしていた。昭平は、八王子という名がありながら、ここには信仰の形跡が見えないことに、何かの巡り合わせを感じた。

 

カフェ「murmur coffee kyoto」にて

川沿いの静かな通りに佇むカフェ、「murmur coffee kyoto」に入った昭平は、ほっと一息ついた。温かい空気と香ばしいコーヒーの香りが、冷えた体を包み込む。店内には数組の客が静かに語らい、心地よい音楽が流れていた。

 

カウンターで注文したブレンドコーヒーがテーブルに運ばれると、昭平はその一杯を手に取り、旅を振り返った。東京での旅立ち、埼玉での新しい発見、新潟の寒さの中で見た光景、高知や山口での思いがけない出会い、愛知での静かな町並み。それぞれの八王子が持つ歴史、文化、空気が、コーヒーの蒸気のように記憶の中で立ち昇る。

 

「結局、八王子という名の意味は何だったのだろう？」昭平は自問した。その答えを見つけるために旅をしたつもりだったが、どの地も異なり、しかしどこかで繋がっているように感じられた。もしかすると、八王子というのはただの名前ではなく、場所が持つ時間や人々の思い、そしてその土地を訪れた自分自身を映す鏡だったのかもしれない。

 

コーヒーを飲み干し、昭平は席を立った。外に出ると、高瀬川の流れが再び目に入った。川の水は、京都の町を静かに通り抜け、やがて大海へと向かう。

 

旅の終わり、そして始まり

昭平は歩きながら、旅の終わりを感じていた。けれど同時に、何か新しい始まりがこの場所から始まるような気がした。八王子町の静けさと高瀬川の流れが、これまでのすべてを受け止め、また送り出してくれるようだった。

 

旅に終わりはない――それが、昭平がこの旅で見つけた答えだった。

 

💕

 

The “HACHIOJI” experiment.

 

Chapter 1:

Tokyo Station on the morning of departure from the city of Hachioji, Tokyo

. There stood a traveler with the hustle and bustle of his busy daily life behind him. His name is Shohei Takagi. He is a man who left his hometown and worked for years in the city of Tokyo. One day, however, he heard the name “Hachioji” and sensed something in the back of his mind. From this intuition, he made up his mind. Let’s take a trip around Hachioji.

 

With the sound of the train departing, his journey began. The train carries a quiet morning air inside as he boards the rapid train on the Chuo Line from Tokyo Station. The journey takes about 40 minutes. The scenery outside the window gradually changed from the hustle and bustle of the city to that of the suburbs. By the time the train crossed the elevated tracks and the downtown atmosphere began to emerge, Shohei’s mind was somewhat at ease.

 

Upon arriving at Hachioji Station, he headed for the bus stop in front of the station and boarded a bus bound for Hachioji Shrine. As the bus slowly moves forward, the surrounding scenery becomes quieter and quieter, and Shohei’s mind begins to calm down and he begins to feel somewhat nostalgic. Eventually, they arrived at their destination, Hachioji Shrine.

 

The shrine was filled with a somber atmosphere, as if time had stood still. In the precincts lined with old trees, a number of stone monuments stood, reminding Shohei of the weight of history, and he walked on, taking note of each of them. He did not know that this Hachioji Shrine was named after “Hachioji Gongen,” a deity that has existed since the Edo period. However, Shohei could not help but feel that there was something in this shrine that he had been searching for all along.

 

Arriving at the main hall of the shrine, Shohei quietly put his hands together. At that moment, something strange happened. The air changed completely, and a strange scene unfolded before his eyes. It was as if he had stepped into another world. The grounds of the Hachioji Shrine had changed, and he could see people from the past bustling about. Before his eyes were the people of Hachioji Village in the Edo period, in the midst of a festival being held at the shrine.

 

At that moment, something resonated deep in Shohei’s chest. He felt strongly that “this was no mere coincidence. This was the moment when the past, the present, and the future intersected. He made up his mind to go to the next land to solve the mystery.

 

He boarded a bus and headed back to Hachioji Station. What unfolds before his eyes is the landscape of present-day Hachioji City, but in his mind’s eye, he already has a strong desire to go to the next “Hachioji”. The next stop would be Hachioji in Saitama City’s Chuo Ward, Saitama Prefecture.

 

Chapter 2: Hachioji, Chuo Ward, Saitama City

Several hours had already passed since Shohei left Tokyo Station. The scenery he could see from the train window was far from Hachioji, on his way to his next destination, the Hachioji district in Saitama’s Chuo Ward, Saitama Prefecture. His heart had been shaken many times since he had traveled on the Chuo Line. His heart was filled with a strange sense of elation as he realized that the place he was to reach was more than just a place name.

 

Eventually arriving at Omiya Station, Shohei changed to the Keihin Tohoku Line. There was some congestion in the train, probably due to the commuting hours. Among the people standing around, there were many faces that were just as busy with their daily lives as he was. In Shohei’s mind, however, there was a view that no one else could see. There was a sense that the enigmatic name of the place, Hachioji, was intertwined with his destiny as if it were drawing him closer.

 

After getting off the station, he immediately changed to a bus and headed for the Hachioji district. As he passed through a residential area and headed down a quiet street, Shohei noticed one thing. The place named Hachioji was unexpectedly plain and inconspicuous. However, it seemed to appeal to him in a contrary way. The bus soon arrives at the Hachioji district of the former Yono City.

 

After getting off the bus, Shohei stepped into a corner of a sprawling residential area. Amidst the mundane streets, he found one place that stood out from the rest. It was the magnificent Hachioji Shrine standing in the corner of the town. The shrine’s torii gate seemed to be appealing to some distant era. Standing in front of that torii gate, he was suddenly enveloped in an unspeakable, overwhelming silence.

 

The moment Shohei stepped inside, a breeze suddenly blew. The wind blowing into the shrine grounds seemed to change the flow of time. He unconsciously advanced to the front of the main shrine. As he clasped his hands together at that spot, something resonated in the back of his chest. The power contained in the main hall of the shrine, though invisible to the eye, seemed to be present.

 

Something had begun here, he was sure of it.

 

The warmth in the palm of his hand. A sensation he had never felt before enveloped his entire body, as if he were being drawn to something. Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared before Shohei. It was an old monk. The man, his gray hair fluttering in the wind, smiled quietly at Shohei.

 

He said to Shohei, “O visitor to the place called Hachioji, your time has come. Your time has come,” the monk murmured.

 

Shohei was surprised, but in his heart he was convinced. This monk had not just appeared by chance. Then the monk began to speak slowly.

 

There is a mystery here in Hachioji, a mystery that has been hidden for generations. Many have tried to solve it, but none have been able to find the answer. But we have been waiting for someone like you to appear.”

 

Shohei was deeply moved by these words, but he also felt fear. This is not just a story about the name of a place. This is not just about the name of a place, but about the great power hidden in the land of Hachioji that is about to be set in motion. The sense of mission to uncover it struck him hard.

 

The monk continued.

 

Your journey will not end here. It is time for you to go to the next destination, the eight princes. Shohei could not grasp the meaning of these words . But for now, there was only one thing he was sure of. His journey had just begun. He must head to the new Hachioji, the next place.

 

Chapter 2: Hachioji, Chuo Ward, Saitama City

Several hours had already passed since Shohei left Tokyo Station. The scenery he could see from the train window was far from Hachioji, on his way to his next destination, the Hachioji district in Saitama City’s Chuo Ward, Saitama Prefecture. His heart had been shaken many times since he had traveled on the Chuo Line. His heart was filled with a strange sense of elation as he realized that the place he was to reach was more than just a place name.

 

Eventually arriving at Omiya Station, Shohei changed to the Keihin Tohoku Line. There was some congestion in the train, probably due to the commuting hours. Among the people standing around, there were many faces that were just as busy with their daily lives as he was. In Shohei’s mind, however, there was a view that no one else could see. There was a sense that the enigmatic name of the place, Hachioji, was intertwined with his fate as if it were drawing him closer.

 

After getting off the station, he immediately changed to a bus and headed for the Hachioji district. As he passed through a residential area and headed down a quiet street, Shohei noticed one thing. The place named Hachioji was unexpectedly plain and inconspicuous. However, it seemed to appeal to him in a contrary way. The bus soon arrives at the Hachioji district of the former Yono City.

 

After getting off the bus, Shohei stepped into a corner of a sprawling residential area. Amidst the mundane streets, he found one place that stood out from the rest. It was the magnificent Hachioji Shrine standing in the corner of the town. The shrine’s torii gate seemed to be appealing to some distant era. Standing in front of that torii gate, he was suddenly enveloped in an unspeakable, overwhelming silence.

 

The moment Shohei stepped inside, a breeze suddenly blew. The wind blowing into the shrine grounds seemed to change the flow of time. He unconsciously advanced to the front of the main shrine. As he clasped his hands together at that spot, something resonated in the back of his chest. The power contained in the main hall of the shrine, though invisible to the eye, seemed to be present.

 

Something had begun here, he was sure of it.

 

The warmth in the palm of his hand. A sensation he had never felt before enveloped his entire body, as if he were being drawn to something. Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared before Shohei. It was an old monk. The man, his gray hair fluttering in the wind, smiled quietly at Shohei.

 

He said to Shohei, “O visitor to the place called Hachioji, your time has come. Your time has come,” the monk murmured.

 

Shohei was surprised, but in his heart he was convinced. This monk had not just appeared by chance. Then the monk began to speak slowly.

 

There is a mystery here in Hachioji, a mystery that has been hidden for generations. Many have tried to solve it, but none have been able to find the answer. But we have been waiting for someone like you to appear.”

 

Shohei was deeply moved by these words, but he also felt fear. This is not just a story about the name of a place. This is not just about the name of a place, but about the great power hidden in the land of Hachioji that is about to be set in motion. The sense of mission to uncover it struck him hard.

 

The monk continued.

 

Your journey will not end here. It is time for you to go to the next destination, the eight princes. Shohei could not grasp the meaning of these words . But for now, there was only one thing he was sure of. His journey had just begun. He must head for the new Hachioji, the next place.

 

Chapter 2: From Hachioji to Niigata (Joetsu Shinkansen)

Shohei arrived at Omiya Station at dusk. The sun was already setting and the lights of the city were beginning to turn on one by one. There was a cool air outside, but still a pleasant autumn night breeze caressed his face. He took a breath and started walking toward the station. He was already quite tired from the travel today. Still, his mind was somewhat at ease. He planned to take the Joetsu Shinkansen “Toki” train to reach Hachioji, his next destination.

 

Checking the information display at the station, Shohei walked toward the “To Niigata” sign. He almost got a little lost, but soon found the ticket gate and purchased a ticket for the Joetsu Shinkansen. When he headed for the Shinkansen platform, it was already past six in the evening. Shohei checked the departure time of the Shinkansen and arrived just in time for the scheduled departure of “Toki”.

 

When he boarded the Shinkansen, the train was still uncrowded. As he sat down in his seat, he looked out the window at the already darkened scenery. Shohei decided to take a short rest, took out his smartphone, and began once again to make his next plan. A ticket to Niigata and the yet-to-be-seen Hachioji awaited him.

 

The Joetsu Shinkansen train passes through increasingly remote nature from Tokyo to Niigata. The train is quiet, and Shohei suddenly looks around him. Businessmen, families, and people traveling alone. Every face seemed to have its own story to tell.

 

At 7:30, the Joetsu Shinkansen “Toki” arrived at Niigata Station.

 

Outside the window, the scenery was changing to Niigata at night, far beyond the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. As he got off the station, the coldness he felt on his skin was different from that of the city, and Shohei naturally shrugged his shoulders. The cool night air stung his skin as he walked through the premises of Niigata Station and outside.

 

He looked up directions to his hotel on his phone and decided to take a cab to a business hotel. It was a small hotel, but more than enough for my tired body. After checking in, he stepped into his room and realized that he was quite tired from the long trip. I turn on the heat, take a shower, and lie down for a bit.

 

Dinner time. Shohei decides to have a light meal at an izakaya near the hotel. The restaurant was busy, and when he sat down at the counter, the customer next to him spoke to him. He asked, “Are you in Niigata? Are you a tourist? Shohei nodded lightly. Shohei nodded lightly and simply replied, “Well, something like that.

 

While eating, Shohei thought about his current state of mind. Even as he rested his weary body, his mind kept flashing to the city of Nagaoka that awaited him next. There must be some secret hidden in the “Hachioji” he is visiting. When it is revealed, what lies ahead? In any case, no one knows yet what form this trip will take.

 

After finishing his meal, Shohei returned to the hotel again and prepared to go to bed at leisure. He had arranged for a rental car to take him to Nagaoka tomorrow. It is about an hour and a half drive from Niigata to Nagaoka. He decided to rest without thinking about anything else today. Tomorrow would be the next time I would have to get closer to the mystery of Hachioji.

 

The next morning. After breakfast, Shohei walked from the hotel to the rental car office. Breathing in the slightly chilly morning air, he had a renewed sense of the journey ahead. The journey to Nagaoka would surely be anything but boring. He thought as he drove. The scenery of Niigata was somehow nostalgic and made him feel some kind of connection in his heart.

 

When the car’s engine started, Shohei sat in the driver’s seat again and took the wheel. He was confident that the road he was about to take and the journey he was about to take around the name of Hachioji would surely continue.

 

Chapter 3: Road to NagaokaAfter

a morning in Niigata City, Shohei had breakfast at his hotel and rented a car. The drive to Nagaoka took about one and a half hours. After passing through the city of Niigata in the morning, the car gradually passed through the expanse of suburbs and flat landscapes. Shohei drove past large roads and gazed at the countryside that just kept on going.

 

On the way to Nagaoka, he had many times been thinking absent-mindedly in the car, “Next stop, Hachioji. What kind of place and what kind of people will I meet in Hachioji? But the answer remained vague in his mind. The name Hachioji is everywhere, and many people hear the name in the same way. Yet, why are we so drawn to it? Shohei gripped the steering wheel of the car as if in pursuit of this mystery.

 

The radio in the car plays, and time moves slowly. As the expanse of countryside enveloped him and he began to feel a little sleepy, he approached his destination, Nagaoka.

 

At 10:00, they arrived in Nagaoka City.

 

Shohei was greeted by a quiet townscape as he entered Nagaoka. Here again, he found a place named Hachioji. Upon learning this, he was again surprised and proceeded to drive toward the place.

 

When he parked his car in the parking lot, he was surrounded by modern buildings along with old streets. Shohei checked the map and began to search for the Hachioji district. On his way there, he passed an old man who was just taking a walk. When he called out to him, the old man smiled and said, “Hachioji is a nice place. Shohei felt as if that one word suggested something to him, and he kept pondering its meaning in his mind.

 

Lunch time, a restaurant in Nagaoka City.

 

After having lunch at a restaurant in town, Shohei reconfirmed his plans for the day ahead as he looked out the window at the expansive view. He could not spend much time in Nagaoka. He had to move on to the next place to visit, Hachioji, and the answers that awaited him further down the road. However, he felt as if some kind of calmness he felt in Nagaoka weighed heavily on his mind.

 

At that moment, a middle-aged man came into the restaurant, sat down next to Shohei, and began a conversation. The man said, “There is an old shrine in Hachioji, Nagaoka. It’s a place that has been worshipped by the locals for a long time,” he began. Listening to his words, Shohei asked about the location of the shrine, and the man immediately picked up a map and pointed to it, saying, “It’s around here.

 

The shrine is said to be dedicated to Hachioji Gongen. He became increasingly curious about the history behind the name and its sacred meaning to the locals.

 

On his way to the Hachioji Shrine in the afternoon

 

, Shohei let himself be carried away by the atmosphere of the surroundings as he walked, asking himself again in his mind, “Why is the name Hachioji

 

used for a shrine? Why is the name Hachioji so attractive? The name Hachioji in Niigata and Nagaoka had the power to attract him in a strange way.

 

Arriving at the Hachioji Shrine, Shohei walked around the shrine grounds for a while, sensing the quiet and sacred atmosphere. As he passed through the torii gate and clasped his hands together in prayer, a strange sensation ran through his body. It was a strange feeling, as if I was nostalgic or as if I had a premonition that something big was about to happen.

 

Later, from the locals I spoke with in the precincts of the shrine, I learned that Hachioji Gongen had long been revered as a local guardian deity and had become a part of many people’s lives.

 

Rest and Next Suggestions

Here Shohei suddenly begins to think about how to proceed with the next step. There will be many places in Nagaoka that he has not yet seen and that will give him new insights. However, if he were to visit Hachioji next, he might need to spend even more time getting to know each place in depth. So, what should we do?

 

Chapter 4: The Hachioji Dream

It was late in the evening at an old hot spring inn on the outskirts of the steamy city of Nagaoka. The hot spring Shohei had arrived at after leaving the Hachioji Shrine was secretly loved by the locals, and was tucked away in a secluded corner where visitors from the city would occasionally blend in. Shohei passed through the curtain and entered the dimly lit bathhouse, where he slowly sank his heavy body into the bathtub, feeling a sense of nostalgia.

 

As the steam filled the room, Shohei’s eyes grew heavier and heavier, and he was lulled into an unwitting sleep. He felt the faint sound of a flute echoing in the back of his ears, but was it a dream? No. He was quietly drawn into a strange sensation that was neither dream nor reality.

 

When

 

he opened his eyes, he found himself in a completely different place. Spread out before him under a black night sky was the quiet land of Kamiatsuya Hachioji in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture. The cobblestone pavement continued beneath his feet, and a few lanterns cast eerie shadows at the end of the pavement.

 

“Where is this place ……?” Shohei’s voice trembled and disappeared as if absorbed by the area. At the spot where he stood, an old shrine existed as if it had been waiting for him. Was it the connection woven by the name of the place, Hachioji, that led him to this place? Or was this someone else’s intention?

 

The wind carried the words as if the music of Gidayu’s storytelling was echoing from afar.

 

Hear and be amazed, speak and be troubled. This is Hachioji, in a place called Kamitsuya.

 

Shohei walked forward into the moonlight. As he stood in front of the shrine, he saw a stone monument with a strange inscription. The letters were old, and the more he tried to read them, the more a dull ache spread through his head. “What in the world is this ……?” As soon as I muttered this, a gust of wind blew noisily behind me.

 

When I turned around, I saw a raven-hatted, misshapen figure standing there. The figure was neither human nor demon. A voice, neither male nor female, sounded deep and low.

 

Why have you wandered into this land? Fools who chase after the name of the Eight Prince, know the cause and effect you bear.

 

Shohei stood there, unable to speak. Unable to speak, he could only stare at the being. The deformity continued.

 

Whenever you follow the name Hachioji, you will see the depths of hell. Then the true meaning of the name will be revealed.

 

At that moment, countless visions appeared before Shohei’s eyes. They were the land of Hachioji and the people he had visited. However, these scenes gradually became distorted and changed into bizarre figures. It was as if something hidden in the land was trying to swallow Shohei.

 

With these words, Shohei once again lost consciousness . When he next woke up, he was standing somewhere in a strange land.

 

Chapter 5: Shadows of Tezuuchi Harbor

A cold, damp wind caressed Shohei’s cheeks. In his slumber, he tried to move his body, but the scene around him was strangely shaky. He found himself lying in a small, narrow wooden boat. In front of him, the dark surface of the water is silent. The sky was still light and the morning sun reflected faintly on the surface of the water.

 

“Where am I ……?” Shohei muttered absentmindedly. His memory was fragmented and unconnected as to how he had arrived here.

 

Ahead of him, as the boat slowly advanced, he saw a small harbor. Later, he would learn that it was the Teyiuchi Port – our country’s first full-scale port, dug in the early Edo period. Shohei reached out and pulled the boat to shore and managed to land. The cobblestones beneath his feet were damp, and the morning dew in the air tickled his nostrils.

 

The area around the harbor was quiet and no one was in sight . Shohei suddenly looked at the stone monument at the port. The inscription reads, “The port was dug by Nonaka Kenzan in the 2nd year of Jouou era. Shohei was momentarily taken aback by this inscription, which tells us that this was once the logistics center of the Tosa Clan and boasted an astonishing scale for its time.

 

As he walked, he thought about how much history this port had witnessed. But the faint sound of water in the background and the sound of a flute drifting in from nowhere blurred the boundary between reality and dream. When I looked back, no one was there. The surface of the harbor water was just quietly rippling.

 

Shohei walked along the path stretching from the cobblestone pavement in front of him and called out to a passing cab . The destination was the city of Kami – he remembered hearing somewhere that there was a place there that also bore the name of Hachioji.

 

The cab driver was taciturn, but the radio playing in the car gave us some information, like a local tourist guide, in an unobtrusive manner. Shohei listened to the driver’s words, but a touch of uneasiness still lingered in his heart. He wondered why he was here and what the next Hachioji meant to him.

 

Outside the window, the countryside spread out and the ridges of the mountains were faintly visible. The occasional village he passed was dotted with old houses, and Shohei felt as if he had time to reexamine his own footsteps, surrounded by the serenity of the place.

 

By the time the cab entered Kami City, it was past noon . Shohei thanked the driver and got off at the center of the city. His destination, the Hachioji district, would require further driving, but Shohei decided to take a break before continuing.

 

Walking along a shopping street in Kami, he noticed a diner with an old sign. Shohei entered the restaurant and ordered a local dish. He orders a local dish and is relieved to see the warmth of the plate that comes out.

 

As he ate, he noticed a sightseeing pamphlet on the table. It read, “Hachioji District, Kami City: A Journey to the Mysteries of Tosa. Shohei picked it up and began looking for clues to his next destination.

 

Chapter 6: The Call of Ryuga-do Cave

Upon arriving in Kami City, Shohei decided to visit Ryuga-do Cave first, as recommended by his cab driver. The driver spoke of the history and charm of the caves, saying boldly, “You can’t talk about Kami City without seeing this place. Shohei listened to the driver’s words, his anticipation building little by little.

 

Shohei was overwhelmed by the serene atmosphere and the grandeur of the looming rock walls as he stood at the entrance to the “Ryuga-dong , the Cave that Chisels Time. Stepping inside, in the dim light, he found a mysterious world created by stalactites over thousands of years. Every time the cool air touched his skin, he felt as if he were crossing the boundary between the past and the present.

 

As he listened to the voice of the tour guide, a large space called the “God’s Room” appeared at the end of the cave. There was a natural formation there that resembled an altar, which took Shohei’s breath away for a moment. As soon as he stood there, a strange sensation struck him. His vision was distorted, and he heard a voice whispering something in his ear.

 

Suddenly, the walls of the cave trembled slightly and his feet shook . Shohei was about to turn around when a white light enveloped his surroundings, and his whole body was caught in a dragging sensation. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a strange place – or rather, a familiar landscape.

 

Shohei found himself standing on the approach to the Hachioji Palace . The path, lined with cherry blossom trees, belonged to a historical shrine in the Hachioji district of Kami City. He was surprised but fascinated by the beautiful scenery. The early spring sunlight illuminated the approach to the shrine, and the cherry petals swaying in the slight breeze were pouring down.

 

The

 

shrine grounds were quiet and serene. After passing through the torii gate, a series of gentle steps led up to the main shrine, which he strode toward. When Shohei arrived at the main shrine, a man who appeared to be a Shinto priest greeted him. As soon as he saw Shohei, the man said, “Welcome to the Hachioji Shrine.

 

Welcome to the Hachioji Shrine. This is the place where the gods with the name of Hachioji are enshrined. It seems your journey is far from over.”

 

Shohei was surprised by these words, but felt as if he were being guided by something fateful. After praying at the main shrine, he walked through the adjacent Hachioji Park, and as he met the locals, he learned that the area had long been a popular place for cherry blossom viewing.

 

Shohei left Kami City by cab again that evening . His mind was etched with the mysterious experience at Ryuga-do Cave and the solemn air of Hachioji Palace. And he had realized. This journey was more than just sightseeing.

 

Shohei is on his way to the next Hachioji. What will this journey show and tell him? There is still a long way to go.

 

Chapter 7: A Journey to the SkyAfter

spending some time at the Hachioji Palace, Shohei returned to his hotel in Kami City. After taking a break in his luxurious suite, he picked up his smartphone and called the exclusive concierge of his AMEX Centurion card, a 24-hour service that is a powerful ally in making his trip even more special.

 

I need a helicopter transfer from Kochi to Yamaguchi-Ube Airport. As fast and as smooth as possible.”

 

The operator with a soft voice responded, “Leave it to me,” and arrangements for the eco helicopter were made in the blink of an eye. The helicopter flight from Kochi Airport to Yamaguchi-Ube Airport was the one that took his trip from the ground to the sky.

 

The

 

next morning, Shohei was welcomed at the Eco Helicopter’s reception desk. The next morning, Shohei was greeted at the EcoHelicopter reception desk, where an information clerk in a black suit awaited his arrival. He was told, “I see you are a Centurion card holder. We have been expecting you. Shohei smiles back at the fluid response and is escorted to the helicopter.

 

The interior of the helicopter was truly a lounge in the air. Leather seats, spacious windows, and a bottle of local champagne. Shohei listened to the soothing sound of the engine as he gazed at the mountains and coastline of Shikoku below.

 

In this way, travel itself is an art form. ……”

 

Light refreshments were served on board. Onigiri rice balls made with Kochi specialties and fragrant yuzu (citron) sweets. Shohei usually prefers to travel frugally, but for this one moment, he decided to enjoy the privilege to the fullest.

 

After a 93-minute flight, the helicopter touched down at Yamaguchi-Ube

 

Airport. The well-maintained runway and the surrounding greenery were in harmony, inviting him to a new land. Airport staff greeted him and offered to arrange a cab and assist him on the next leg of his journey.

 

Shohei suddenly thought. This particular mode of transportation was not only convenient, but it seemed to teach him what life’s luxuries were. Travel enriches the soul. Its value is not in the means or the distance, but in how you feel.

 

Shohei, having arranged his transportation from the airport, set his sights on his next destination–the Hachioji district of Kudamatsu City in Yamaguchi Prefecture . The many strange events he had experienced on his trip so far had created an even greater sense of anticipation in his heart.

 

What kind of encounters await us in Hachioji next?”

 

His eyes looked forward again. As if waiting for the moment when the land that bears the name of Hachioji would whisper to him the secret of his destiny.

 

Chapter 8: Drifting Poems, Winds of HachiojiShohei

landed at Yamaguchi-Ube Airport and chose the Hachioji district of Hofu City as his next destination. It is the birthplace of the drifting haiku poet, Taneda Yamatoka, and is a place where his footprints can be traced. Shohei felt that his own journey could be superimposed on the free and unrestrained way of life of Santoka.

 

The cab took him through Hofu City, and he eventually arrived in the Hachioji district. Shohei first visited the site of the birthplace of Taneda Yamatohka. Although it is now a former site, the place where he spent his childhood can be seen in his memory. The path leading from the birthplace to the elementary school has been maintained as “Santouka’s Path,” and Shohei walked slowly along it. Along the path, there are many monuments of Santoka’s poems, and visitors can experience his poetic sentiment.

 

Shohei stopped in front of this monument and thought about the sentiments of Soto-Hanbachi

 

. Shohei wondered if he, too, had wandered around the world without settling down and looked at the world with a free mind. Shohei felt as if his own journey overlapped with that of Santoka.

 

He continued on his way and arrived at Ebisugamori Park. Ebisu Shrine is located in this park and is cherished by the local people. There is a small torii gate and shrine, and a monument to a haiku poem by Yamatohka was placed beside it. Shohei put his hands together and prayed for the safety of his trip. The park was quiet, and it was a moment to forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

 

During the Ebisu Shrine’s festival season, local people gather at the shrine to draw lots and serve ozenzai (sweetened red bean soup), creating a peaceful atmosphere. Shohei was struck by the depth of community ties and traditions as he recalled this scene.

 

As Shohei toured the ruins of Santoka’s birthplace and Ebisugamori Park, he was reminded of the meaning of his own journey and the thoughts contained in his poem. Traveling is not only about moving from place to place, but also about confronting one’s inner self and making new discoveries. Shohei reaffirmed the significance of his own journey by following in the footsteps of Yamatohka.

 

Chapter 9: The Solitude of the Atsumi Peninsula

Shohei took the bullet train eastward. After changing trains at Nagoya Station, he boarded a local train bound for Tahara City and was captivated by the scenery from the train window. Tahara City is located in the middle of the Atsumi Peninsula, with the Port of Mikawa to the north and the calm waters of the Sea of Enshu stretching beyond. Cape Irago could be seen in the distance, a unique landscape of sea and land. Shohei had a feeling that some deep secret was hidden in this place where sea and land intersected.

 

When he arrived in Tahara City and got off the station, the landscape was unexpectedly lonely. Shohei stepped into the townscape and looked around as he walked slowly. The sky was covered with gray clouds, and walking through the streets lined with old signs and deserted stores, he had the impression that time had somehow stopped. Shohei stopped as if sensing something in this lonely town.

 

Not far from the station was the Hachiman Shrine that Shohei wanted to visit. A shrine with a long history, it has long been an object of worship for the townspeople. Hachiman Shrine is said to be related to the origin of the name of Tahara City, and it was a place where the old history of the region could be felt. The shrine’s precincts were shaded by trees, and the air was quiet. Shohei stepped into the precincts of the shrine and took a deep breath as if to calm his mind. For the locals, this shrine must have been a part of their lives and protected for generations.

 

He then stopped by Maruhachi, a small store across the street that sells miscellaneous household items. Shohei idly gazed at the merchandise lined up in the back of the store. Various daily necessities and foodstuffs were arranged chaotically on the shelves, giving a sense of warmth for a moment. The ordinary, everyday life was alive and well.

 

Shohei spotted a vending machine in front of the store. There were the words “Yakimo Ore Hot,” a new product in the “Drink Sweets” series. Shohei purchased this interesting product and began to drink it, a little bewildered. What spread on his palate was the rich and savory taste of yakimo made with Kagoshima baked Anno sweet potato powder. Shohei smiled at the taste and looked around the quiet town.

 

It certainly recaptures the richness and aroma of yakiimo…” he mused. Combined with the quietness of the town, this drink seemed to strangely seep into his mind.

 

After finishing his drink, Shohei walked through the town again, immersing himself in the scenery for a while. The quiet streets of Tahara City were somehow nostalgic, but at the same time, there was a sense of loneliness, as if time had stood still. Still, Shohei felt a sense of being somehow filled with contentment. This town seemed to have a mysterious power of intermingling the past and the future.

 

Chapter 10: Behind Tahara City, Lurking MysteryAs

Shohei walked through the town of Hachioji in Tahara City, he had a hunch that something special was hidden behind the quietness of the area. As he passed through a deserted street, he noticed a dimly lit, narrow alley. Shohei stepped into the alley, as if drawn by the strange atmosphere there.

 

As he continued down the alley, Shohei arrived at an abandoned house. The crumbling wooden door and moss-covered stone steps told that the house had been abandoned for a long time. However, there were signs of human traffic in front of the door, giving the impression that some activity had taken place there until recently. Shohei hesitated a little, but pushed the door open and was able to enter with a creaking sound.

 

It was dimly lit inside, with old furniture placed in disarray and dust in the air. However, old documents and maps lined up on shelves by the wall caught his eye. Shohei picked up a notebook from among them. On the cover of the notebook was written “Hachioji Faith Record,” and the words caught his eye.

 

Flipping through the pages, he found a strange record about the town of Hachioji in this area. It was a story that this town was once used as a hideout for pirates. It also stated that the Hachioji Shrine was worshipped as a deity that protected maritime safety, and that pirates operated under its blessing. Shohei nodded in agreement with the description that the topography of the Atsumi Peninsula was suitable for hiding their activities.

 

The record also stated, “The main shrine of the Hachiman Shrine in this town is the Hachiman Shrine.

The record also states, “Behind the main shrine of Hachiman Shrine in this town, there is a cave where pirates are said to have hidden their treasures in the past. Shohei was thrilled by the contents of the record, but he was uncomfortable with the sentence . What exactly did he mean by “God’s chosen ones”? He was convinced that the quietness of the town was not just loneliness, but hid a shadow of the past.

 

The next morning, Shohei visited Hachiman Shrine again. Examining the area around the main shrine, he found what appeared to be the entrance to the cave mentioned in the records. He saw a narrow opening between moss-covered rocks behind the shrine. Shohei carefully widened the gap and decided to go deeper.

 

The cave was filled with cold air, and the rocks were slippery underfoot. Shohei groped his way forward and eventually found an old wooden box at the back. On top of the box was an octagonal mirror. The mirror emitted a strange light, and when Shohei touched it, it trembled as if it were alive.

 

The scene floating in the mirror was the scenery of the Hachioji and other places he had visited so far. Tokyo, Saitama, and Niigata…… all seemed to be connected and linked by a single thread. Shohei felt that the mirror might indicate the next path of his journey. The moment he held the mirror in his hand, the entire cave began to shake.

 

As he hurried outside, he saw an eagle flying in the sky. Shohei, who thought the figure looked somewhat like a divine messenger of Hachiman Shrine, embraced the mirror and began to prepare for his next journey.

 

Chapter 11: The Hachioji

Shinkansen in Kyoto, the place of his demise,

Shohei looked out the train window and reflected on his journey thus far. Starting in Tokyo, Saitama, Niigata, Kochi, Yamaguchi, Aichi – he had traveled to many places while following the name Hachioji. He headed for Kyoto, still not knowing what this journey would mean or what answers awaited him at the end of his journey.

 

Shohei got off at Kyoto station and started walking to find a place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The winter wind in Kyoto is chilly, and the unique quietness that envelops the city is deeply satisfying. His destination was Hachioji-cho, Shimogyo-ku–the place he had decided to end his journey.

 

The Takase River, a historical stream,

Hachioji-cho was located in the heart of Kyoto, yet it seemed to be one step removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Takase River flowing along the sidewalks was quiet with clear water, and the cherry trees planted along the riverside had only their branches left in the winter cold. The scenery had a quiet atmosphere that was different from the glamorous Kyoto.

 

The Takase River used to be a major logistics artery connecting Kyoto and Fushimi. Shohei walked along the river, thinking of the prosperous times when boats carried lumber, rice, and sake. The lightly overcast winter sky cast a pale shadow on the surface of the river, reminding him of the weight of time that Kyoto holds.

 

However, unlike other places on this trip, there were no shrines or Buddhist temples in Hachioji-cho. This, on the contrary, made the place special. Shohei felt some kind of a coincidence that, despite the name Hachioji, there were no visible signs of faith here.

 

Shohei took a restful break when he entered “ murmur

coffee kyoto,” a café on a quiet street along the river. The warm air and fragrant aroma of coffee enveloped his chilled body. Inside the store, several groups of customers were quietly chatting and pleasant music was playing.

 

When the blended coffee he ordered at the counter was brought to his table, Shohei took a cup and reflected on his journey. The start of his journey in Tokyo, the new discoveries in Saitama, the sights he saw in the cold of Niigata, the unexpected encounters in Kochi and Yamaguchi, and the quiet streets of Aichi. The history, culture, and atmosphere of each Hachioji rise in my memory like coffee steam.

 

In the end, what was the meaning of the name Hachioji? Shohei asked himself. He had thought he had traveled to find the answer, but each place seemed different, yet somehow connected. Perhaps Hachioji was not just a name, but a mirror reflecting the time of the place, the thoughts of the people, and himself who visited the place.

 

Shohei finished his coffee and got up from his seat. As he stepped outside, the flow of the Takase River once again caught his eye. The river quietly passes through the city of Kyoto, and eventually heads out to the ocean.

 

The end and beginning of a

journey. But at the same time, he felt as if a new beginning was about to begin here. The quietness of the town of Hachioji and the flow of the Takase River seemed to accept everything that had come before and send it off again.

 

There is no end to the journey – that was the answer Shohei found on this trip.