地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

The Ox-Tethering Stone

About 500 meters south of Matsumoto Castle, a rock draped with paper shide streamers stands on a street corner. This rock is called the “Ox-tethering Stone,” a name that alludes to a legend surrounding two famous warlords.

In 1550, Matsumoto was conquered by Takeda Shingen (1521–1573), ruler of Kai Province (now Yamanashi Prefecture) and one of the most renowned warlords of the Warring States period (1467–1600). Shingen’s conquest brought him into conflict with Uesugi Kenshin (1530–1578), who ruled Echigo Province (now Niigata Prefecture) to the north. These two fearsome leaders were called the “Tiger of Kai” and the “Dragon of Echigo,” and they developed a fierce rivalry. The two clashed many times over the subsequent decades, but neither warlord was victorious. Through their prolonged struggle, Shingen and Kenshin developed deep mutual respect, and Kenshin is even said to have wept when Shingen died.

During the 1560s, Shingen was also at war with two provinces to the south. These enemies conspired to block trade routes that connected Shingen’s landlocked territories with the coast. At the time, salt and seafood were crucial parts of a farmer’s grain-based diet, and cutting off access to these staples was an effective way to weaken Shingen’s forces.

Although Kenshin could have taken advantage of his weakened enemy, it is said that he instead sent oxen carrying loads of salt to Matsumoto. Supposedly, those oxen were tied to a rock near the central crossroad, and Kenshin’s gift was the origin of the salt market that developed there.

In truth, this legend only appeared toward the end of the Edo period (1603–1867), and the salt market had existed since long before. Nonetheless, the story has been repeated as an illustration of the respect the two warlords had for each other, and the expression “giving salt to an enemy” is still used today.

拴牛石

在松本城以南大約500公尺開外的一處街角，立著一塊石頭，上面纏了一條掛著「紙垂」（標誌神明聖地的白紙片）的麻繩。它被稱為「拴牛石」，在這個名字的背後，藏著一段有關兩位著名武將的傳奇故事。

1550年，武田信玄（1521-1573）攻克松本城。他是甲斐國（今山梨縣）的統治者，也是日本戰國時代（1467-1600）最有名的武將之一。但隨之而來的卻是武田信玄與上杉謙信（1530-1578）的衝突，後者統治著北面的越後國（今新潟縣）。這兩位強悍的武將分別擁有「甲斐之虎」與「越後之龍」的稱號，雙方展開了激烈的爭鬥。在接下來的數十年間，兩者多次交戰，卻始終未能決出高下。相反，長期的較量令武田信玄與上杉謙信對彼此產生了深深的敬意，據說武田信玄過世時，上杉謙信還流下了眼淚。

1560年代，武田信玄同時還在與南方兩國交戰。由於武田信玄的領地位於內陸，對手便合謀阻斷他的領地與海岸地帶間的商路。當時，農民以穀物為主食，因此鹽和海產品是不可或缺的下飯食材，切斷這類物資的供給便能有效削弱武田信玄的力量。上杉謙信看到武田信玄的臣民們因缺鹽而導致健康每況愈下，非但沒有趁機出擊，反而派出牛隊，為松本送去了食鹽。相傳當年在本町和伊勢町的交界處有一塊石頭，被視為當地的道祖神（位於村莊邊界、山口和其他路邊的驅邪防疫之神），而這些牛就被拴在這塊石頭上，「栓牛石」也因此得名。

不過這個傳說直到江戶時代（1603-1867）末期才出現，而本地鹽市在此之前便已存在。儘管如此，人們依舊對這個關於兩位武將相互敬愛的故事津津樂道。時至今日，「為敵送鹽」的諺語也仍在使用。

拴牛石

在松本城以南大约500米开外的一处街角立着一块石头，上面缠了一条挂着“纸垂”（标志神明圣地的白纸片）的麻绳。它被称为“拴牛石”，在这个名字的背后，藏着一段与两位著名武将相关的传奇故事。

1550年，武田信玄(1521-1573)攻克松本城。他是甲斐国（今山梨县）的统治者，也是日本战国时代(1467-1600)最有名的武将之一。但随之而来的却是武田信玄与上杉谦信(1530-1578)的冲突，后者统治着北面的越后国（今新潟县）。这两位强悍的武将分别拥有“甲斐之虎”与“越后之龙”的名号，双方展开了激烈的争斗。在接下来的数十年间，两者多次交战，却始终未能决出高下。相反，长期的较量令武田信玄与上杉谦信对彼此产生了深深的敬意，据说武田信玄过世时，上杉谦信还流下了眼泪。

16世纪60年代，武田信玄同时还在与南方两国交战。由于武田信玄的领地位于内陆，他的对手便合谋阻断其领地与海岸地带间的商路。当时，农民以谷物为主食，因此盐和海产品是不可或缺的食材，切断这类物资的供给便能有效削弱武田信玄的力量。上杉谦信看到武田信玄的臣民们因缺盐而导致健康每况愈下，非但没有趁机出击，反而派出牛队，为松本送去了食盐。相传当年在本町和伊势町的交界处有一块石头，被视为当地的道祖神（位于村庄边界、山口和其他路边的驱邪防疫之神），而这些牛就被拴在这块石头上，“栓牛石”也因此得名。

不过这个传说直到江户时代(1603-1867)末期才出现，而本地盐市在此之前便已存在。尽管如此，人们依旧对这个关于两位武将惺惺相惜的故事津津乐道。时至今日，“为敌送盐”的谚语也仍在使用。