Kagiya no Tutsuji, the place the famous duel of vengeance was held

There are three famous duels of vengeance in Japanese history.

The duel of vengeance by Soga brothers in 1193.
The duel of vengeance by 47 ronin of Ako domain in 1703.
Then, the duel of vengeance by Watanabe Kazuma and Araki Mataemon in 1634.
Last one called "Kagiya no Tsuji no Ketto (the duel at the crossroads of Kagiya)".

The "Kagiya no Tsuji no Ketto" was happened at Iga province, now Iga city in Mie prefecture.
As the beginning of the events, a samurai Kawai Matagoro in Okayama domain fell in love with a colleague and beautiful young samurai Watanabe Gendayu.
Therefore Kawai Matagoro tried to have a special relationship with Watanabe Gendayu, but Gendayu refused him.
Devastated Matagoro killed Gendayu.
After his crime Matagoro left his domain and escaped to Edo.

Gendayu was a favorite boy of daimyo of Okayama domain, Ikeda Tadakatsu.
Tadakatsu got furious and asked Tokugawa shogunate to send Matagoro back, but he couldn't get Matagoro.
Few yeas later Tadakatsu got a serious illness and on his death bed he left a will that to revenge to Matagoro for the death of Gendayu.

In the situation, the brother of Gendayu, Watanabe Kazuma had to revenge for his young brother by the will of his master Ikeda Tadakatsu.
Unfortunately Kazuma was not good with sword skill to accomplish his revenge.
So, he asked help to his brother in law, the Yagyu style sword master Araki Mataemon,

Kazuma and Mataemon got information that Matagoro were hyding in Yamato province (current Nara) and was trying to escape to Edo again.
Kazuma and Mataemon made a plan to wait Matagoro at the Kagiya no Tsuji, the place located on the route of Yamato to Edo.
They waited their villain at the place.

Finally they met with Matagoro there.
Matagoro took his ten helpers including a spear master Sakurai Hanbei with him.
In contrast, the team of the avenger consisted of only four people.
The historical duel happened.
Even though they were in bad situation, the team of Kazuma killed or drove away the all villains except Kawai Matagoro.
Watanabe Kazuma and Kawai Matagoro had the last duel over long hours by only two of them and finally, Kazuma accomplished his vengeance.

Because of his work at the duel Araki Mataemon got a honer and left his name to posterity.
Also "koudan (Japanese story telling)" stories about the historical duel were made, and became famous.
But soon after the duel, Araki Mataemon died the mysterious death.
It seems the duel was related some complicated political matters, and there are some mysterious points about the duel still.
The Kagiya no Tsuji is a quiet place now.