Inception of food culture(7)
Introduction of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes, which originated in South America, came to the Ryukyu Kingdom from the Ming Dynasty in China in the 17th century, and they were widely cultivated in the Ryukyu Kingdom because they are high-calorie and can be grown even in poor soil.
In 1698(during the Edo Period), Tanegashima feudal lord Hisamoto sent a messenger to the Ryukyu Kingdom to bring back sweet potatoes, and Satsuma Province began successfully cultivating them as well. Also, in the 18th century, Maeda Riemon brought sweet potatoes back by boat from the Ryukyu Kingdom and grew them in his own fields. When he shared them with people who lived nearby, they quickly spread to many nearby villages and then throughout all of Satsuma Province.
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Tokko Shrine
Tokko Shrine in Yamakawa, Ibushiki City, enshrines Maeda Riemon, who brought sweet potato seedlings from the Ryukyu Islands and saved many people from starvation. The shrine refers to Maeda as "Karaimo-Onjo,"
Location: 386-10 Yamagawa-Okachogamizu, Ibusuki-shi, Kagoshima
PH: 0993-35-0811 (Tokko Community Center)
Website: Ibusuki Tourism Net (Japanese only, Google translate button on the website)
http://www.ibusuki.or.jp/tourism/view/tokkoshrine/
Admission: Free
Transportation: 15 min walk from JR Nishi-Oyama Station
10 min from JR Yamakawa Station by car
Approx. 35 min from Ibusuki Skyline Ei Interchange
Parking: Available (few spaces/free)