Sakai history

The city of Sakai, located on the shores of Osaka Bay, is one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in Japan. Its history is a tale of the transformation of an ancient settlement into a thriving international port and a centre of craftsmanship.

Foundation and Early Period

The history of Sakai is rooted in deep antiquity. This is evidenced by the magnificent Mozu-Furuichi kofun (tumulus) cluster, created during the Kofun period (4th–6th centuries) and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most famous of these is the Emperor Nintoku tumulus, considered one of the largest burial mounds in the world. The name "Sakai" itself, meaning "border," appeared during the Heian period (794–1185), as the area was located at the junction of three provinces: Settsu, Kawachi, and Izumi. The first written records of Sakai as a settlement date back to the 8th century.

Flourishing and Key Factors of Formation

The "Golden Age" of Sakai is considered to be the Muromachi period (1336–1573), when the city turned into one of the wealthiest and most influential centres of the country. Several factors contributed to its rapid development:

• Geographical Location: Its position at the intersection of important sea and land routes made Sakai a key port for trade with China, Korea, and later with Europeans.
• Autonomy: In the 12th–16th centuries, Sakai was effectively a free city governed by influential merchants rather than central authority. This created favourable conditions for commerce and attracted enterprising people.
• Trade: The city became a hub of international trade. It was through the port of Sakai that firearms were introduced to Japan, the production of which was subsequently established here.

Cultural and Economic Features

Economic prosperity promoted the development of a unique culture. Sakai became the birthplace of the famous tea ceremony master Sen no Rikyu, who had a tremendous influence on the formation of the Japanese aesthetic of "wabi-sabi". The city was renowned for its artisans, especially the production of high-quality swords and knives, a tradition of craftsmanship that spans over 600 years and continues to this day. The production of incense and bicycles also flourished here. With the loss of autonomy at the end of the 16th century and the subsequent rise of neighbouring Osaka, Sakai's influence gradually waned, yet its rich historical and cultural heritage has been preserved.

Chronology of Key Events

• 4th–5th Centuries: On the territory of the future city of Sakai, the monumental Mozu tombs are erected, becoming the resting places for the emperors of ancient Japan.
• 1399: The settlement finds itself at the epicentre of the Oei Rebellion, after which its rapid growth as a fortified trading port begins.
• Second half of the 15th Century: The city reaches its peak as a self-governing centre (the "Venice of the East"), controlling trade with Ming Dynasty China.
• 1543: Local blacksmiths master the technology of firearm production, turning the city into the country's main arsenal.
• 1550: Visit of the missionary Francis Xavier, who noted in his writings the wealth and independent spirit of the local residents.
• 1568: Warlord Oda Nobunaga brings the city under his influence, imposing taxes and limiting political autonomy.
• 1615: During the Summer Campaign of the Siege of Osaka, the city was completely burned to the ground, and then rebuilt with a new regular street layout.
• 1868: The "Sakai Incident" occurs, when a clash between samurai and French sailors led to a serious diplomatic crisis.
• 1889: The modern municipal system is introduced, and Sakai officially receives the administrative status of a city.
• 1945: Massive bombings during the Second World War destroy a significant part of the historic wooden buildings.
• 1961: Completion of the large coastal industrial district of Senboku, transforming the city into an industrial centre.
• 2006: Sakai receives the high administrative status of a Designated City by government ordinance.
• 2019: The Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group is officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Major Milestones in Sakai's Development

The history of Sakai is a series of rises and falls that transformed an ancient settlement into a modern industrial city. The key stages of its development formed a unique economic and cultural identity.

• Ancient Tumuli and Heritage Status: The creation of the magnificent Mozu-Furuichi tumuli during the Kofun period (4th–6th centuries) laid the foundation for the city's historical identity. The recognition of this complex as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019 not only confirmed its global significance but also gave a powerful impulse to the development of tourism.
• "Golden Age" of the Free City: During the Muromachi period (14th–16th centuries), Sakai reached the peak of its power, becoming an autonomous port city managed by wealthy merchants. This unique model of self-governance contributed to the flourishing of international trade and turned the city into one of the most influential economic centres of medieval Japan.
• Centre of Innovation and Crafts: In the 16th century, Sakai became the gateway for the introduction of firearms to Japan and quickly established their production. In parallel, traditional crafts developed: the city became famous for manufacturing samurai swords, which laid the foundation for the world-renowned Sakai knife industry, existing for over 600 years.
• Cradle of the Tea Ceremony: Sakai is the birthplace of the great tea ceremony master Sen no Rikyu, whose philosophy had a huge impact on the Japanese aesthetic of "wabi-sabi". This secured the city's status not only as a trading hub but also as a vital cultural centre.
• Loss of Autonomy and Economic Shift: At the end of the 16th century, the city came under the control of the central authority, and the policy of self-isolation during the Edo period led to the decline of its role as an international port. This became a turning point, shifting the economic focus towards neighbouring Osaka.
• Industrial Transformation: In the Meiji era (1868–1912), Sakai experienced a rebirth, transforming into a major industrial centre. The development of metallurgy, chemical, and textile industries defined its economic appearance throughout the 20th century.
• Modern Administrative Status: Receiving city status in 1889 and, most importantly, the status of a "Designated City" in 2006, significantly expanded its administrative powers. This reflects its modern role as a major metropolis within the Osaka metropolitan area.

The architectural appearance of Sakai is a living chronicle of its rich history, reflecting the transformation from an ancient centre of power to a thriving medieval port, and then into a modern industrial city. Each era has left its mark on the urban fabric, creating a unique combination of ancient monuments, traditional structures, and modern buildings.

Antiquity and the Middle Ages: From Tumuli to Fortress City

Sakai's urban planning originates in the monumental architecture of the Kofun period (4th–6th centuries). It was then that the Mozu-Furuichi burial mound complex was created, including the gigantic tomb of Emperor Nintoku, which is one of the largest burial sites in the world by area. These keyhole-shaped tumuli, surrounded by moats, became the first dominant structures in the landscape, testifying to the high level of engineering thought of that time. In the Middle Ages, especially during the Muromachi period, Sakai developed as an autonomous trading city. Its urban structure was unique: to protect against external threats, the city was surrounded by deep moats, making it essentially a fortress city governed by influential merchants. Inside, traditional Japanese architecture flourished: old machiya houses preserved to this day, such as the residence of the Yamaguchi family built in the early 17th century, provide insight into the lives of wealthy merchants of that time.

From the Edo Period to Modernisation

With the advent of the Edo period and the loss of its status as a centre of international trade, Sakai's development slowed, which, however, contributed to the preservation of historical buildings. A key architectural symbol of the modernisation era (Meiji period) became the Old Sakai Lighthouse, built in 1877. This Western-style wooden lighthouse is one of the oldest in Japan and is recognised as a national historic site. During the same period, in 1907, the Hamadera-koen railway station building was constructed, designed by the famous architect Tatsuno Kingo, the author of the Tokyo Station project. These structures marked the arrival of Western architectural styles and technologies, which combined with the industrialisation of the city.

Modern Appearance and Postmodernism

After the Second World War, a large part of the city was rebuilt, leading to the emergence of modern architecture. Today's Sakai is a city of contrasts, where high-rise buildings, such as the 21-story City Hall with an observation deck, coexist with historic temples and traditional houses. In recent years, the architectural landscape has been enriched by the works of the world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, who designed several buildings in the city using his signature style with an emphasis on wood and harmony with the environment. These contemporary projects, along with residential complexes in the style of modernism and minimalism, form a dynamic and multi-layered image of Sakai, where the past and present coexist organically.

Distinguished Figures in the History of Sakai

The city of Sakai, with its rich and centuries-old history, has become the birthplace or place of activity for many iconic figures who left a deep imprint on the culture, politics, and spiritual life of Japan. From legendary rulers of antiquity to art reformers and key politicians of the 20th century, these individuals shaped the unique character and heritage of the city.

Legendary and Spiritual Leaders

• Emperor Nintoku (presumably 4th–5th centuries) — The 16th Emperor of Japan, whose connection with Sakai is immortalised in one of the world's most grandiose burial structures. His tomb, the Daisen Kofun tumulus, is the central object of the Mozu-Furuichi complex, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and symbolises the ancient history and grandeur of the region.
• Gyoki (668–749) — An outstanding Buddhist monk born in the territory of modern Sakai. He became famous not only for his sermons but also for his large-scale public activities: the construction of bridges, roads, and irrigation systems for the common people. For his merits and immense popularity among the people, he was the first in Japanese history to receive the highest monastic rank of "Daisojo" (Archbishop) and was revered as a Bodhisattva.

Masters of Culture and Art

• Sen no Rikyu (1522–1591) — A native of Sakai and the greatest master of the tea ceremony in Japanese history. He systematised and perfected the aesthetics of "wabi-cha", emphasising simplicity, naturalness, and inner harmony. His philosophy had a colossal influence not only on the tea ceremony but also on all Japanese culture, including architecture, ceramics, and garden art.
• Yosano Akiko (1878–1942) — One of the brightest and boldest poetesses of the Meiji era, born in Sakai. Her debut collection of tanka, "Tangled Hair", caused a sensation by celebrating romantic freedom and feminine emotion, which ran contrary to the traditional morality of that time. She was also an outstanding thinker, feminist, and translator who adapted the classic novel "The Tale of Genji" for the modern reader.

Political and Military Figures

• Suzuki Kantaro (1868–1948) — Admiral of the Imperial Navy and the 42nd Prime Minister of Japan, born in a village that is now part of Sakai City. His name has forever entered history due to the fact that it was his cabinet that made the fateful decision to accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration and the surrender of Japan, ending the Second World War in August 1945.