日本には埋蔵金がたくさんあり、矢野光弘が追い求める「お宝伝説」が注目されている。主な伝説には徳川幕府のお金や旧日本軍の宝物が隠されているものがあり、各地で調査が行われている。矢野氏はトレジャーハンターとして活動しており、これまでに数々の発見をしてきた。埋蔵金伝説には歴史的な背景や地元の伝承が絡んでおり、真実に迫るためには科学的な調査が必要とされている。彼の活動には多くの会員が参加し、宝探しは歴史的なマインドゲームであり、楽しさとロマンスを伴うものだと語られている。
According to some estimates, the total amount of buried treasure in Japan is said to be 150 trillion yen. What are the influential “treasure legends” that treasure hunter Mitsuhiro Yano has been pursuing for many years?
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Mitsuhiro Yano, 76 years old, is a rare “treasure hunter” in Japan. Since participating in the treasure hunt of Amakusa Shiro in Amakusa Shimojima, Kumamoto Prefecture in 1974, he has been fascinated by its charm.
“Some people may have heard of the Tokugawa treasure legend from television specials. In addition to this story, there are countless treasure legends throughout Japan,” Yano said. He pointed out that the abundance of gold and silver production in Japan is the cause of this phenomenon. In the Edo period, there were over 700 mines, and over 400 kilograms of gold were produced annually in Sado Kanaya.
“Daimyos and wealthy merchants buried gold and silver in case of emergencies. It’s not surprising that there is still unused gold and silver buried underground,” he said.
In fact, the discovery of buried treasure in 1963 shocked society. From the ruins of the Kagoshima family, a sake brewery in Edo, 1,900 kobans and 78,000 silver coins were discovered. This discovery is worth about 800 million yen in today’s antique coin market.
Among the buried treasure legends is the site of the “Purple Plate Ancient Gold Kingdom.”
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Local Legends
Yano compared ancient documents and accounts from local elders to uncover the truth behind the buried treasure legends.
“The municipal system was implemented in 1889, and at that time, there were 15,889 municipalities. As of 1945 after the war, there were still 10,520 municipalities. According to Yano, there are over 10,000 buried treasure legends, and some of them may be true despite being myths like tales of wealthy individuals.”
Currently, Yano is particularly interested in seven buried treasure legends.
Yano’s Seven Legendary Treasures
1. Tokugawa Shogunate’s Money (Kachin Village, Gunma Prefecture)
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Legend has it that the renowned general Ii Naosuke hid about 4 million ryo of the Tokugawa shogunate’s official money near Mount Akagi (Gunma Prefecture). There are numerous sightings and frequent reports on television. Yano discovered a closed mine from the Edo period in Kataa village. When combined with local information, it is believed that there may be treasure hidden here.
2. Goods Hidden by the Former Japanese Military (Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture)
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During the war, the former Japanese military is said to have stolen craftwork worth 300 million yen from the Chinese mainland and hid it in the mountains of Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture. In fact, an artificially buried pit has been discovered, and Yano continues to investigate the site.
3. Military Funds of Takeda Shingen (Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture)
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Takeda Shingen is said to have hidden military funds in various places. Villagers stumbled upon a pot containing gold coins at the bottom of a cave near Mount Fuji. They tried to gather villagers and return, but the location could not be found. In the Sea of Trees, there is also the ruins of Takeda Castle, which adds to the immersive experience.
4. Harutoyo Yuki’s Gold (Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture)
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Harumitsu was the first head of the Yūki clan and is said to have received most of the gold of the Ōshū Fujiwara clan for his military achievements in following Minamoto no Yoritomo to the conquest of Ōshū. According to legend, the total amount of gold buried by his descendant Harutomo is 380 tons. It is said to be buried somewhere in the former Yūki territory.
5. Pirate Boy’s Treasure (Toshima Village, Kagoshima Prefecture)
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William Kidd was a British pirate who lived in the late 17th century. He had a habit of temporarily hiding stolen treasures on nearby islands. The treasure map discovered in 1937 is said to have been drawn by Kidd and closely resembles the treasure island in the Tokara Islands.
6. Treasures of the Owari Tokugawa Family (Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)
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The gold and silver of Osaka Castle, destroyed by Tokugawa Ieyasu, were divided among the three families, but it is said that the Owari Tokugawa family hid theirs in a prayer temple. There are side tunnels leading to the underground chamber of the temple, awaiting further investigation.
7. Moto-uji Mori’s Treasures (Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
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There is a temple on an island in the Seto Inland Sea where descendants of the Mori family have served as head priests for generations. It is said that Morimoto Mori buried treasures (Iwami silver) here. The temple has a stone wall in the shape of a warrior, seemingly guarding something.
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“The most noteworthy is the Tokugawa buried treasure legend (1. Tokugawa Shogunate official funds)”
Yano believes that Mount Akagi is just a transit point and that the treasures are further transported deeper inside.
“In fact, about ten years ago, I received a message from an old man in the village who passed away that he found a box with 1,000 tails in a mine. However, he had helped greatly, such as building five schools. It is said that the funds came out of a fairy box he brought back from Nepal.”
Yane discovered a reliable old mine with high credibility. “The discovery of the century” may be just around the corner.
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The Nature of Treasure Hunting
Yano is the representative of the Japan Treasure Hunt Club, which has over 70 members.
“Treasure hunting is not a gambling game where you spend all your money. It is a historical mind game and an outdoor sweaty sport. We camp on site, and instead of having meals indoors, it is an excellent way to enjoy with friends. While desperately searching for treasures, we have fun and at the same time feel romantic,” he said,
Photo cooperation / Mitsuhiro Yano
*This article is reprinted from the June 2024 issue of “Sarai.”
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