Story of swallowtail butterfly
Why is the night view of Mutsu City called “swallowtail butterfly”?
History of the background, present, and the future
History
The former name of Mutsu city, “Tanabu” was the center of economy and culture
of Shimokita and was the officially authorized place where “Nambu-han”
(one of the district governed by the domain head in the era of Edo) was
settled.Nambu-han prospered transportation by water. “Kitamae-bune” (name
of merchant vessel which was active in Japan Sea through Edo era to Meiji
era) was anchored off Mutsu Bay (Ominato Bay) and commercial package came
and went through Tanabu RiverThrough Kitamae-bune, many unique items as
well as language and culture was delivered. Nambu-han shipped seafood of
abalone, sea cucumber, kelp, etc to Kyoto or Osaka area.
Omi-Shonin (merchant from Kyoto, Osaka area) was active during Edo era,
they also brought their cultural festival To Tanabu. “Tanabu Matsuri Festival”
has much influence of “Kyoto Gion Matsuri Festival” which is very popular
and traditional festival in Kyoto, Japan, thus the scenery of the festival
was so called "Elegance of the North".Mutsu City was developed
and flourished along Tanabu River which connects to Mutsu Bay, which compose
the bright night view of Mutsu City from Kamafuseyama Mountain spreading
among Tanabu River.
Along with the phrase “Elegance of the North” which expresses beautiful
night view of Tanabu Matsuri Festival, this beautiful and widely spread
night view came to be called as “Elegance of Butterfly” with its feathers
widely spread.
Present
Historically, it was in the middle of 90’s when values of enjoying night
view became popular to many cities of Japan, such as night view of “Kure-Moji”
in Kure-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
The night view of Mutsu City also became popular and it was called as “Elegance
of Butterfly” received by name of most popular butterfly which is academically
called as “Papilio xuthus”
The reason why we call its view as “Papilio xuthus” is because its pattern
of feathers are drawn with black and white beautifully which reminds us
of the contrast of light and dark.
Phrase of combination: “Elegance of the North” and city lights in the Tanabu
River Basin becomes “Elegance of Butterfly”, which is most popular butterfly
with black and white which equals the light of the night. Thus we call
it as the night view of swallowtail butterfly.
Our very special swallowtail and its meaning(benefit) - 1
■Night view of swallowtail with “Isaribi”
For a certain of period of time, “Isaribi” (beautiful light of many squid
fishing boat gathers during night time) shines in southern sea of Mutsu
City.Beautiful mixture of the light of swallowtail butterfly and Isaribi
is very remarkable because it is seen as group of swallowtail butterflies
are flying at night which implies the meaning of family bonding, solidarity
between friends. We regard this beautiful view as “very special night view
to “fulfill solid promises”
Our very special swallowtail butterfly and its meaning(benefit) - 2
■Night view of swallowtail with full moon
The collaboration between swallowtail and full moon shows up in pure Northern
air with full of transparency.This collaboration is very rare to see once
in a year due to climate or the road closure during snowing time. The scenery
of full moon glaring over swallowtail butterfly looks beyond physical range
of scenery seen in the earth but consider as very mysterious view over
the great universe which implies our wish of “great love”, “forever love”