Nukefune-no-ba (The site where convicts attempted to escape from Hachijojima Island)

(Translated by Google) In the early Edo period, the entire Izu Islands were considered a "penal colony," but by the end of the Edo period, it was reduced to just three islands: Hachijojima, Miyakejima, and Niijima. The number of people exiled to Hachijojima numbered 1,900 in the 265 years from Hideie Ukita in 1606 (11th year of Keicho era) to 1871 (4th year of Meiji era). By the way, if you are found to be leaving the island, you will be sentenced to death. However, in principle, exile was a life sentence, so it is not surprising that there were people who tried to escape on a high-stakes basis. In fact, there were records of people leaving Hachijojima 15 times during the 265 years mentioned above. However, only one case was successful. One example is Kisaburo of Sawara. A chivalrous man whose real name was Kisaburo Hongo, he was born in 1806 (Bunka 3rd year) in what is now Sawara, Katori City, Chiba Prefecture. In May 1837, he was exiled to Hachijojima for killing a gambler. In July 1838, he and five of his companions escaped from the island and washed ashore on Kujukuri Beach. However, three months later, he was arrested again in Edo and imprisoned. He was released on May 9, 1845, but died one month later, on June 3, at the age of 39. Just a side note. In October 1931, a man was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. After that, he escaped from prison and was re-imprisoned several times, and was exiled to an isolated island called Devil's Island. But I didn't give up. He threw a bag of coconuts over a cliff, grabbed onto it, and was able to escape. A movie called ``Papillon'' was later made based on the autobiographical novel written by this man. Two great actors, Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, co-starred. Moreover, the music is by Jerry Goldsmith (author of Rambo's main theme). Please take a look at this masterpiece, which will give you hope for tomorrow. 2025.3.3 (Original) 江戸時代初期は伊豆七島全体が「流刑地」とされていましたが、幕末にはそれが八丈島と三宅島、新島の３島のみとなりました。そして八丈島への流人の数は1606年(慶長11年）年の宇喜多秀家から1871年(明治４年）年までの265年間で1900人を数えたのです。 ところで島抜けが発覚すると死罪です。しかし流刑は原則として無期刑でしたから一か八かで脱出を試みる人間が居てもおかしくありません。事実八丈島でも上記265年の間に15回の島抜けの記録がありました。しかし成功したのはたった一例なのです。 その一例が佐原の喜三郎です。本名を本郷喜三郎と言う侠客で、1806年(文化3年)に現在の千葉県香取市佐原で生まれました。1837年(天保8年）5月、博徒を殺した罪で八丈島に流されます。そして1838年(天保9年）7月、仲間5名とともに島を脱出し九十九里浜に漂着します。しかし3か月後、江戸で再逮捕され入牢の身となります。1845年 (弘化2年）5月9日に釈放されましたが一か月後の６月3日、39歳で死亡しています。 余談です。1931年10月、殺人容疑で終身刑を宣告された男が居ました。その後数回の脱獄と再収監を繰り返し、悪魔島と呼ばれる孤島に流されます。しかし諦めませんでした。ココナッツの入った袋を断崖から投げ込み、それにつかまり脱出に成功したのです。後に、この男が書いた自伝小説をもとに作られた映画が「パピヨン（Papillon）」です。Steve McQueenとDustin Hoffmanの二大名優が共演しました。しかも音楽はJerry Goldsmith（ランボーのメインテーマの作者）。 是非ご覧ください、明日に希望が持てる名作です。 2025.3.3