A Diverse Selection of Ranking Lists
Introduction to Ranking List
Ranking lists (mitate banzuke) were used to rank all kinds of things, and were modeled on the banzuke charts that classify Sumo wrestlers into different ranks, with ōzeki at the top, followed in descending order by sekiwake, komusubi, and maegashira. The current highest rank, yokozuna, had not been created yet. The central section, which in Sumo banzuke lists the referees and main tournament host, was used to name especially notable people or items outside the rankings themselves. The authors and publishers of almost all of these ranking lists are unknown.
- 1 Special Products
- 2 Hot Springs
- 3 Shrines and Temples
- 4 Profitable Business
- 5 High-class Restaurants
- 6 Grilled Eel Dinings
Various Ranking Lists
Kaga Collection 117
This scrapbook is a collection of 50 highly varied ranking lists. The year of publication is unknown in almost all cases, but a small number of lists do include a year, such as "Tempō 8" (1837) and "Kaei 6" (1853). Here we showcase four items from this collection.
![[Image]Various Ranking Lists](/uploads/banzuke_01.jpg)
1 Special Products
Great Japan Product Rankings
Kaga Collection 117（13）
![[Image]Great Japan Product Rankings](/uploads/banzuke_02.jpg)
This is a ranking list of 216 different specialty products from all around Japan. Those in the East and West ōzeki ranks, Izu Hachijōjima and Kyō Habutae, are both high-grade silk textiles. In the East maegashira rank are the Tokyo specialties Musashi Edomurasaki (a natural purple dye) and Edo Asakusanori seaweed. The names in the "main tournament host" and "secondary tournament host" sections are both from Osaka, suggesting that this ranking list was produced by an Osaka-based publisher.
2 Hot Springs
Therapeutic Hot Spring Destination Ranking
Kaga Collection 117（21）
![[Image]Therapeutic Hot Spring Destination Ranking](/uploads/banzuke_03.jpg)
This is a nationwide ranking of hot springs. It does not use the labels "East" and "West." The ōzeki on the right side of the list, which is usually labeled East, is Kusatsu hot springs, and on the left (West) it is Arima hot springs. Both of these remain popular hot spring destinations today. The sale of hot spring ranking lists such as this was inspired by the increase in people visiting hot springs for therapeutic purposes, following the publication of books explaining the health benefits of different springs.
3 Shrines and Temples
Ranking of Shrines and Temples to Visit Around Japan
Kaga Collection 117（28）
![[Image]Ranking of Shrines and Temples to Visit Around Japan](/uploads/banzuke_04.jpg)
This list ranks Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples throughout Japan. The East ōzeki is the Ise Grand Shrine and the West ōzeki is the Koyasan Temple in Kishu. The "main tournament host" is the Izumo Grand Shrine. All are extremely well-known temples and shrines: places people hope to visit at least once during their lives.
4 Profitable Business
Ranking of Profitable Business
Kaga Collection 117（30）
![[Image]Ranking of Profitable Business](/uploads/banzuke_05.jpg)
This is a ranking of different types of business based on their profitability. Atypically, an actual bookstore in Osaka is named as the publisher. The ōzeki on the right (East) is "rice merchant" and on the left (West) it is "money changer." The large text in the center reads "bookstore with printing facilities attached" so is likely intended as advertising for the printer.
Sen'un Saika
Kaga Collection 403
![[Image]Sen'un Saika](/uploads/banzuke_06.jpg)
The next scrapbook is titled "Sen'un Saika" (sen'un mists). The former owner of the Kaga Collection, Kaga Toyosaburō, called his own home Sen'un-tei, and this name was adapted for the scrapbooks containing Toyosaburō's own collections, whose titles all begin with the word "Sen'un." This is one such scrapbook, and it contains over 60 ranking lists and other items.
5 High-class Restaurants
Ranking List of Restaurants
Kaga Collection 403（40）
![[Image]Ranking List of Restaurants](/uploads/banzuke_07.jpg)
In this ranking list of high-class dining establishments, Tagawaya and Kawaguchi top the rankings in the East and West divisions respectively. The "main tournament host" position is accorded to Yaozen, renowned as the foremost luxury dining venue in Edo.
6 Grilled Eel Dinings
Eel Cuisine Ranking List
Kaga Collection 403（49）
![[Image]Eel Cuisine Ranking List](/uploads/banzuke_08.jpg)
This ranking list is dedicated entirely to restaurants specializing in eel (unagi) cuisine. The East and West ōzeki ranks are occupied respectively by Tambaya in the Kojimachi district and Daikokuya in Reiganjima. Tambaya has since closed, but some establishments in this list still exist, such as Maekawa in Asakusa.