Omori Seaweed Legacy Part 3 #182

Omori Nori Goes Global:
Prosperity Measured in Numbers

Around the time of the Meiji Restoration,
Omori's nori cultivation was truly in its prime.

Zones of Cultivation in Early Meiji

Data from 1876 (Meiji 9)
shows that the area of nori cultivation 
delineated by hibi — 
traditional bamboo fences —,
in Omori Town exceeded
190,000 tsubo (approx. 63 hectares)!
This was significantly more than the combined area
of three locations in the Shinagawa region,
confirming Omori
as the absolute center of nori cultivation.

Nori as a Regional Specialty

Nori was established as a regional specialty,
ranked among 
the Three Great Specialties 
of the Rokugō area (六郷) 
alongside Tama River Ayu (鮎) 
and Haneda Clams (蛤). 

It was also considered one of 
the Three Great Specialties 
of Ebara District  (荏原), 
alongside Shinagawa Turnips 
and Shinagawa Scallions. 

International Acclaim
and New Product Innovation
The quality of Omori nori
was not limited to Japan.

In 1873 (Meiji 6),
Omori nori merchants exhibited
their product at the Vienna World's Fair
and proudly won the Third Prize!

This was a groundbreaking event
where traditional Japanese technology
and product quality received
international recognition,
significantly contributing to
the establishment of the brand.

International Recognition
and Culinary Innovation

During this era,
major innovations in nori
consumption occurred : 

1869 (Meiji 2) : 
Yamamoto in Nihonbashi 
(now Yamamoto Noriten) 
created "Aji‐tsuke Nori" 
(Seasoned Nori). 

1871 (Meiji 4) : 
Shuetsu Kōsen in Shitaya, Tokyo, 
conceived "Norino‐Tsukudani" 
(Seaweed Relish). 

These new products, 
still popular today, 
emerged one after another, 
leading to rapid market expansion. 

The Kamachi Disturbance:
A Power Struggle and Fishermen's Unity
Behind the prosperity,
fierce conflicts over rights emerged.

On May 7, 1887 (Meiji 20), 
a major incident known as
the Kamachi Disturbance erupted
when Kiyozane Kamachi,
a former samurai from Kagoshima,
independently petitioned 
for the rights to cultivate 
a vast area of 
over 200,000 tsubo
(approximately 0.66 km²).

In response,
fishermen from various nori
production areas launched
a strong opposition movement,
sending representatives daily to
the Tokyo Prefectural Government
to submit petitions.

The conflict was exacerbated
by the fact that many key prefectural officials
at the time were also from Kagoshima.

However, the sincere unity
and movement of the nori fishermen,
determined to protect their livelihoods,
finally swayed the authorities.
Kamachi's permit was ultimately revoked,
and the fishing grounds
were transferred and divided
among the fishing villages
of South Shinagawa, Omori, and Haneda.

This incident highlighted
the economic importance of nori cultivation
and the strength of
the fishermen's self‐governing solidarity.
As a result of these efforts,
the Fisheries Law was finally enacted
in 1901 (Meiji 34),
leading to the formation
of associations nationwide
and stabilizing the industry.

Next Story

With tradition serving as the backdrop
for new product development,
international recognition,
and organizational solidarity,
the Omori nori industry firmly established
its genuine Golden Age.

However, this prosperity was not destined to last.
In the upcoming Final Part,
we will explore the looming threats
—the Keihin Canal Project and factory wastewater
—that cast a shadow over the Golden Age,
leading to the curtain call of the 300‐year history,
and the inheritance of tradition in the modern era.

Are you aware of any historic hit products,
like nori recognized at a World's Fair
or the invention of seasoned nori,
in your own country?

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