NEWS

Since the Edo period, the mountainous areas of Ikeda-cho, in Miyoshi, the growing of tobacco known as Awa leaves was popular, and from the Bakumatsu until the Meiji period, the industry of cut tobacco, known as “Awa cuts”, thrived.
At its most successful, the over 100 manufacturers of cut tobacco supported the culture and economy of the city for nearly 100 years.

Both a key point in transport as well as a place for the accumulation of tobacco, the liveliness of Ikeda’s old highway can be felt through the townscape that remains.
In particular, the old Manabe family household, known as the “Udatsu House”, has been designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Miyoshi, as a symbol of the former prosperity of the tobacco industry.

“Udatsu” refers to the decorated fire-protection wall built on top of the roof of a building, which prevents fires from neighboring buildings from jumping across.
It has been a symbol of wealthy merchant families since the Edo period.
At the “Udatsu House”, the garden, were beautiful flowers of every season bloom, and the detached sitting room which utilizes the structure of a study hall are open to the public, and show the prosperity of the time.

We are exhibiting roughly 200 resources regarding the manufacturing of tobacco, in the old tobacco production plant, “Udatsu House”, which has been opened as the “Awa-Ikeda Museum”.

By seeing the tobacco leaves and registers used during the time, tools used in the production process of cut tobacco, and tobacco packages, you can learn about the history of the history of tobacco production.