Location: Matsuyama Castle 松山城, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku Size: 8 x 10 x 1.5cm
Marked with the characters “旧国 松山城” (Old Province: Matsuyama Castle) and “交通安全” (Traffic Safety), this tag was likely intended to invoke protection for safe travels, blending Edo-period cultural nostalgia with modern well-wishing.
The reverse side lists the lineage of Tokugawa shoguns (徳川歴代将軍), from Tokugawa Ieyasu down through the generations. This not only celebrates the historical legacy of the Edo period but also connects the bearer to a time when such tegata were used as real travel permits for official passage.
Tsuko-Tegata is a kind of wooden passport that was used in the Edo Period as an identity card for travelers when passing from region to region. They had been sold a lot in Showa period as mingei type souvenirs all over Japan. It's also a protector for safety and peace for family.
