Episode 11 Old Documents From the Edo Period and Wi-Fi-Connected Electronic Lock

In January 2019, Yoko obtained the Simple Lodging Facility license to convert an annex into a guesthouse. She wanted to install a system that allows guests, Yodoe Project members, and housekeepers to enter the place freely even when she is out or in Osaka.

After some research, she decided to install a device called “Remote Lock (the world's first Wi-Fi operated electronic lock)” to the entrance door, which fulfilled all of her wishes below.

After some researches, she decided to install a device called “Remote Lock (the world's first Wi-Fi operated electronic lock)” to the entrance door, which fulfilled all of her wishes below. 

• Each person can set up their passcode in advance. When they want to enter the building, they press their number. Meanwhile, Yoko can control them using smartphone or PC.
• It can set the time and/or terms of usage.
• You can also get real-time information about the comings and goings.

Yoko asked a local architect to carry out the necessary work, including replacing the door and installing the Internet and a remote lock device. To be present at the renovation, Yoko returned to Yodoe in February 2019.

The Yodoe Project was carried out for two consecutive months in December and January 2018. Since there is a high possibility of snowfall in February, they decided to have a third project in March. So Yoko came back to Yodoe by herself this time.

This time she spent five relaxing days in Yodoe, which was longer than usual. She went to the Legal Affairs Bureau to consult about building registration, met up with local classmates for the first time in a while, and organized to donate books that Yoko, Shu, and their children read in their childhood. She also carefully examined some ancient documents from two wooden boxes found during the second Yodoe Project.  

The ancient documents contained characters such as “Kaei 3^rd year (1850)” and “Meiji,” indicating that it was written from the end of the Edo to the Meiji period. There was one very long document, which seemed to start with the sentence “Permanent transfer of residence and fields....” After that, a list of 24 items continued. It is quite difficult for an amateur like Yoko to decipher, but she could read some characters like “yashiki (mansion)  and “ta (rice field)” here and there. Near the end, words like “Keio Gannen (1865)'' and “Matsunami Dennomoto” “ _____ Matsunami”, and “Mosuke-dono (Mr. Mosuke)” appeared.

Yoko pulled out the “Yodoe Town Magazine'' from one of the bookshelves. She got excited because she thought this document could be about “Tetsuo Matsunami,” who was the head lord of Imazu village. According to the Magazine, he donated his land to build Yodoe Daiba (which means a fort. Currently a national historic site) and organized a “Defense Corps.” With his eldest son Hiromoto (Dennojo) and second son Hirojo, he served in the anti-shogunate army during the Second Choshu Conquest and the Boshin War. Tetsuo Matsunami spent the rest of his later years in Tokyo.

This day, Yoko went from installing the latest equipment to encountering history that dates back more than 150 years.

"I can't read these documents at all, but someday, I would like to have someone who is knowledgeable about this and local history looking at them. Hopefully, he or she deciphers them so I can understand these contents."

During this stay, Yoko attended the meetings held at Mei-chan Farm and Imazu Community Center because of the call from Tetsuji Oshita, the owner of Mei-chan Farm in the neighborhood.

Double Knot Inc. (planner and producer of the Mei-chan Farm’s homepage), the Nippon Foundation Tottori Office, Tottori Bank, Yonago City Economic Department, Yonago City Yodoe Promotion Division, and students and professor from the Goat Club in the Environmental Studies major of Tottori University, and Mr. Yamanaka (a chairman of the Imazu Neighborhood Association) were in attendance. The discussion was based on an illustration created by Mr. Oshita and Double Knot Inc. entitled “Imagining the Imazu area in 10 years”.

While coined words such as the “Yodoé Renaissance Concept” (renaissance means rebirth or revival in French)  and “Goat Surfing” are being thrown around, the president of the local community had some realistic opinions about Yodoe’s future.

This meeting made Yoko think about many things, including how she should interact with the town of Yodoe and its residents.