River and Marine Transportation Trade with Edo

Mogamigawa-River flows within Yamagata Prefecture only, but, at 224km wide, and with a basin of 7,040㎢, it exceeds the length other rivers in Japan. It is also, one of three rivers with the fastest current in the country.

The first record of river commodity trading, originating in Koidefunaba (Nagai City), located upstream of the Yonezawa feudal domain, dates back to 1696. The river facilitated prosperous trading with Kyoto and Osaka during 1700s. And the various ports along Mogamigawa-River, such as Sakata Port, also contributed to the success of marine transport.

In the 1700s and 1800s, safflower and silk were shipped to Kyoto and Osaka for manufacturing, using a course that started at the mouth of the river in Yonezawa, passing along Mogami and Shonai cities and ending up in Sakata Port, famous for its bustling business activity. The finished products, were shipped back to Yamagata to be sold. Because of its booming businesses, Yamagata counted among its inhabitants a large number of rich merchants, nicknamed “Benibana Chojya” or “Safflower Millionaires”.