山名宗全の「西陣」回顧録──そして、現代の新たな“布陣”へ

2025-03-10

拙者、山名宗全（やまなそうぜん）。かつて応仁元年（1467年）より、ここ西陣の地に陣を張り、東軍と長きに渡る戦いを繰り広げた西軍の総大将である。今から五百年以上も昔のことであるから、現代を生きる皆々にとっては遥か昔の出来事かもしれぬが、この地「西陣」にまつわる歴史を、今もこうして石碑が語り継いでおる。

西陣の由来

我ら西軍がこの界隈に本陣を構えたことが「西陣」という呼び名の始まり。応仁の乱は、その後10年もの歳月を費やす大乱となり、京都の町も多大な被害を受けた。とりわけ西軍陣地付近は“布陣の地”として名を残し、のちに染織の町・西陣織で栄える場所となったのは、皮肉ながらも時代の移ろいの妙とも言えよう。

さて、現代に目を移してみれば、あの頃は想像もつかぬことが起こっておる。なんと、貴公らが手にしている板のごとき平たい“兵法道具”（iPadと申すらしい）を介して、遠く離れた多くの人々が一度に顔を合わせ、話し合う朝の会合——拙者の時代なら“軍議”と呼んでもよかろうが——を行っておるそうではないか。しかも、この西陣の石碑の前で。その光景を拝見したとき、拙者は驚きを禁じ得なかった。

現代の新たな“布陣”──コーラルワーク

拙者が聞いたところによると、そなたらの会社は「コーラルワーク」という、場所や時間にとらわれぬ働き方を実践しておるのだとか。あたかもサンゴ礁のように、自由なところで根を張り、各々が繋がり合う——まるでかつての合戦における“布陣”を柔らかくしたような概念に思える。

女性が育児や介護などのライフステージの変化でキャリアを諦める必要がない
地方に暮らしながらでも、都市部と連携した事業を展開できる

かつて拙者の軍勢は、一つの場所にどっしりと腰を据え、大軍を率いて天下を争っていた。しかし現代では、大きな本陣を構えずとも、皆が自由に動きながら一つの目標に向かって力を合わせることができる。これぞまさに新たなる“布陣”と言えよう。

歴史と文化を紡ぐ、事業戦略という合戦

西陣といえば、今や日本の誇る織物産地。優美な西陣織は、長い伝統のもとで培われた技とデザインが特徴だ。拙者が合戦のために陣を張っていた場所が、のちに「糸」と「意図」を合わせて、町の繁栄を織り上げていくとは、当時は夢にも思わなかった。

そなたらの事業戦略は、この「歴史」と「地域文化」を継承しながら、新たな価値を生み出そうというものらしい。遠方に暮らす人々がオンラインを活用して西陣の魅力を体験し、さらには伝統産業を応援できる取り組みだとか。

遠くからの人材がプロジェクトに参加し、技術やノウハウを共有
現地では伝統技法を守りながら、新たな商品やサービスを生み出す
その結果、地域の文化や産業が衰退するどころか、むしろ活性化する

まことに巧みな戦略よのう。かつての戦であれば、“遠隔”の味方と連携など容易ではなかった。いまは時と場所を問わず、多くの知恵を織り合わせ、強固かつ柔軟な“布陣”が可能だというのだから、拙者としては、戦に負けぬほどの大きな可能性を感じる。

未来に向けての一言

応仁の乱当時、西軍と東軍が長く争ったことは、京都の町に大きな禍をもたらした。しかし、その時代を乗り越えて、町や人々は新たな活力を得た。西陣が織物の都として栄えたように、今度は新たな戦略と働き方により、日本各地の伝統や文化がよりいっそう輝いていくに違いない。

石碑に刻まれた「西陣」という文字は、拙者の軍勢の布陣の証にとどまらず、未来への希望を織り込む「紡ぎの場」になった。そなたらの朝会（軍議）が、さらに大きな実りへとつながることを、山名宗全の名にかけて祈っているぞ。

“戦い”は破壊をもたらしたが、
“働き方”は創造をもたらす。
同じ陣でも、その先にある未来はかくも違うものなのか——。

拙者は、ここ西陣の碑の前にて、歴史の移ろいと共に生まれる新たな陣形を、ただただ感嘆しながら見守っておるよ。皆の健闘を願う。

Yamana Sōzen’s “Nishijin” Retrospective — And a New “Formation” for the Modern Age

I am Yamana Sōzen, who once, in the first year of the Ōnin era (1467), pitched my camp here in Nishijin as the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Army. We waged a prolonged war against the Eastern Army, a struggle that lasted for many years. More than five centuries have passed since then, and to those living in the present day, it must seem like a distant tale. Yet even now, this land called “Nishijin” bears the marks of its history, etched into this stone monument.

The Origin of “Nishijin”

The reason this area came to be called “Nishijin” stems from the Western Army having set up its headquarters here. The Ōnin War dragged on for ten long years, inflicting heavy damage on the city of Kyōto. In particular, the area around our Western Army’s camp earned a reputation as “the land of an encamped army,” which, ironically, evolved over time into a district famed for textiles known as “Nishijin-ori.” Such is the curious flow of history.

Now, turning my gaze to the modern age, I see something I could not have imagined in my time. You hold in your hands a thin “tactical device” (called an iPad, I hear), through which many people, scattered far and wide, can gather faces onscreen to conduct what you call a morning meeting—akin to a war council in my era. Even more astonishing, this meeting is taking place right before this very monument in Nishijin. When I first beheld it, I could scarce believe my eyes.

A New “Formation” in Modern Times — Coral Work

I have learned that your company practices a working style called “Coral Work,” free from the constraints of place and time. Like coral reefs that grow freely, each person firmly roots themselves in a spot and stays connected as if forming a flexible battle line—though I see it is far gentler than any ancient campaign of mine.

Women need not abandon their careers when facing changes in life circumstances such as child-rearing or caregiving.
One can continue their endeavors even while living in the countryside, all the while collaborating on projects in urban areas.

In my day, my army was obliged to settle in a single, fortified spot, mustering large forces to vie for supremacy. In contrast, the modern era requires no massive headquarters. Each person can act freely, united by a common goal. Indeed, I can only describe this as a new kind of “formation.”

Weaving History and Culture — A Strategic Venture

Nishijin, today, is widely known for its textiles, particularly Nishijin-ori, woven with refined technique and artistry honed over many generations. It strikes me as curious that the very grounds where I once led my troops later flourished, weaving both “thread” and “intent” into a vibrant community. Truly, I could not have foreseen it in my time.

I hear your strategic venture aims to preserve this “history” and “local culture” while forging new value. By harnessing online tools, people living afar can discover the allure of Nishijin and support its traditional industries.

Skilled individuals from distant regions can participate in projects, sharing techniques and know-how.
Locals uphold time-honored methods and craft new products and services.
As a result, rather than fading, regional culture and industry may find renewed vitality.

Such is a most cunning plan indeed. In my era, coordinating with allies from afar was no simple feat. Now, distance and location scarcely matter, and many threads of knowledge can be woven together into a strong yet flexible “formation.” From my vantage, this seems like a victory grander than any battlefield triumph.

A Word About the Future

During the Ōnin War, the prolonged conflict between the Western and Eastern armies wrought great devastation upon the city of Kyōto. Yet after those turbulent times, the city and its people forged a new vigor. Just as Nishijin thrived with its weaving industry, I sense that your fresh strategies and ways of working will bring renewed brilliance to traditional culture across Japan.

The word “Nishijin,” carved into this monument, does more than attest to where my forces once encamped; it has also come to represent a “place of weaving,” a hope for the future. May your morning meetings—akin to war councils—lead to ever more bountiful achievements, in the name of Yamana Sōzen.

“Warfare” brought destruction,
but “work styles” bring creation.
Though the encampment remains the same,
the future that lies beyond is so very different—

Here, before this Nishijin monument, I stand in awe of how history shifts, giving rise to new formations with each passing era. I pray for your success, one and all.