[Famine Relief Plants] Illustrated Manual of Famine Relief Plants
The five grains are the great treasures bestowed by Heaven upon human life, and they are the foundation of human sustenance. However, not long after the famine of the Tenpo era, due to last year's poor harvest, the masses are suffering from a great disaster. Therefore, with fear and reverence, whether noble or humble, it is essential to use one's heart sincerely and devise ways to survive the famine. In the days of the ancient sages, there was a method of accumulation where one would farm for three years and always set aside one year's worth of food to serve as provisions for a year of famine.
* "Tenpo-do" refers to the Tenpo era. "Do" means the time or period.
* "The famine of the Tenpo era" refers to the great famine that occurred during the Tenpo years. It was one of the "Four Great Famines of the Edo Period," following the Great Famines of the Kanei, Kyoho, and Tenmei eras. Excluding the Kanei famine, it is also called one of the "Three Great Famines of the Edo Period."
Source: National Archives of Japan Digital Archive "Illustrated Record of Famine" 17/34
First, as a preparation for famine, there is nothing better than using simple food and making the grain last longer. Therefore, one should add greens, various wild vegetables, or seaweed to porridge or rice gruel to help supplement the grain. Previously, Mr. Hiramatsu searched for famine relief plants, carefully tested and corrected the seasoning, and published them, which has been of great benefit to the world.
* "Na-daikon" is another name for rape (nanohana).
* "Mr. Hiramatsu" refers to Hiramatsu Rakusai, a samurai of the Tsu (Anotsu) Domain in the late Edo period. He is the author of "Kyoko Zakki" (Miscellaneous Notes on Famine Relief) and "Kyoko Hoho-sho" (Methods for Famine Relief).
* "So-hin" means plant species.
* "Nemogoro" is an archaic form of "nengoro," meaning sincere or earnest.
* "Hanko" means to print and publish books.
* "Hieki" means to be of help or useful.
This time, after consulting with Mr. Hiramatsu, I have illustrated the most accessible items among those plant species to let people know about their edibility. It is said that even for a gentleman, endurance is the foundation of all conduct.
* "Fushi" is a respectful term for a superior or a teacher.
* "The foundation of all conduct" refers to the saying "Filial piety is the foundation of all conduct." It means that filial piety is the basis of all virtuous deeds.
I hope that by deeply enduring the single matter of simple food and by sharing with one another with the heart of a fellow human being, Heaven will have pity and bestow its blessings. Naturally, the five grains will ripen abundantly, there will be no worry of hunger or cold, and the wealth and resources for the clothing, food, and housing of the masses will be fully provided.
Knowing the gratitude of being born in a peaceful era that has changed from the chaotic past, and being blessed beyond measure, if one maintains frugality, eats simple food, and diligently follows one's own path, it will be a way to receive the blessings of ten thousand generations. This is my humble intention, which I recommend to my fellow comrades.
* "Kikan" means hunger and cold.
* The reading "sakihai" for "fuku" (fortune) is "sakiwai" (happiness/blessing).
Incidentally, I will record here the method for making vegetable rice gruel that was printed and distributed some years ago.
White rice: 2 go, Barley: 1 go, Rice-washed water: 3 sho
Into this, add greens, daikon, green onions, taro, sweet potato, turnips, dried daikon leaves, taro stalks, arame, hijiki, and similar wild vegetables.
Cut the above items into small pieces, add plenty of them, and when well-cooked, add about 30 monme of miso and salt to taste. Boil it, and let it sit for about an hour. This quantity is said to make enough for about 15 or 16 people for one meal.
* "Sein" (or Inse) means printing and distributing information that is beneficial to the world.
* "Nebuka" refers to green onions (negi).
In a year of famine, many people die from the end of winter through the beginning of spring until around the third month. During this time, greens, daikon, and potatoes have already been harvested, and there are very few items left that can be used as food. I have illustrated the types of plants that should be gathered during that time to make them known.
* "Zu" means illustration or diagram.
Thistle (Azami) - Boil in lye
Balloon flower (Tsuriganeso) - Adenophora (Shajin)
Amaranth (Hiyu) - Amaranthus
Field Horsetail (Sugina) - Equisetum arvense
Henbit (Hotokenoza) - Lamium amplexicaule
Plantain (Ohobako) - Plantago asiatica
* The reading for "芣苢" is 'fui'.
Creeping Lettuce (Tsurunigana) - Ixeris debilis: Boil in lye, then soak in water
Sow Thistle (Nogeshi) - Sonchus oleraceus
Dandelion (Tanpopo) - Taraxacum: Boil and soak in water
Mouse-ear Chickweed (Miminakusa) - Cerastium
* The reading for "剪刀股" is 'sentouko'.
* "Sawasu" means to soak in water (to remove bitterness).
* The reading for "巻耳" is 'onamomi'.
Rakkyo (Nobiru) - Allium macrostemon
Sparrow's Tongue (Suzumenoshita) - Spergularia
Shepherd's Purse (Nazuna) - Capsella bursa-pastoris
Hairy Bittercress (Tagarashi) - Cardamine flexuosa
Bog-cress (Inugarashi) - Rorippa indica
Chickweed (Tabirako) - Stellaria media
Youngia (Kauzorina) - Youngia japonica
Nipplewort (Onitabirako) - Lapsana apogonoides
Other than these, because they are well known to everyone, the illustrations have been omitted.
Water Dropwort (Seri) - Oenanthe javanica, Chickweed (Hakobera) - Stellaria
Bindweed root (Hirugaho no ne) - Calystegia, Wolfberry (Kuko) - Lycium
Beach Silvertop (Hamaboufu) - Glehnia littoralis, Aster (Yomena) - Kalimeris yomena
Bracken starch (Warabiko) - Pteridium, Saxifrage (Yukinoshita) - Saxifraga stolonifera
Udo (Udo) - Aralia cordata, Daylily sprouts (Kanzou no me) - Hemerocallis
Wisteria sprouts (Fuji no me) - Wisteria, Hackberry sprouts (Enoki no me) - Celtis sinensis
Aralia sprouts (Tara no me) - Aralia elata, Clethra (Riyaubu) - Clethra barbinervis
Spring of the Year of the Metal Hare, Kaei 4 (1851), Anotsu, Kanritsudo, Kontonsha, Printed
* The reading for "山茶科" is 'sazanka'.
* "Anotsu" refers to Anotsu in Ise Province.
● indicates characters that could not be deciphered. I will update this as new characters are deciphered or if I notice any typos or misreadings. For more details, please read the "About Me / Disclaimer". 📖