A strong will to survive, Araki Murashige

Araki Murashige (1535-1586) was daimyo and a warlord at the Sengoku period.
At first he had served to daimyo Ikeda Katsumasa of Settsu (area consists of current eastern part of Hyogo and current northern part of Osaka) province.
He gained power under Ikeda family.
Then he left Ikeda family and served to Oda Nobunaga, the powerful daimyo from Owari (western part of current Aichi) province.
Murashige achieved military exploits under Oda family.
Oda Nobunaga gave Settsu province to Murashige in a reward for his achievements.
In other words, Murashige successfully got a larger area than his former lord Ikeda family had.

As a warlord Murashige had got credibility from Oda Nobunaga.
However in 1578, he suddenly raised a rebellion against his lord Nobunaga.
The reason he did it is not confirmed still.
He stayed inside of his Arioka (Itami) castle and fought against Oda family.
Murashige endured the battle in almost one year but finally escaped alone from his castle to Amagasaki castle, where his son managed.
He had left his family and the family of his vassals inside the Arioka castle.
Oda Nobunaga captured them and called on Murashige to surrender.
However Murashige didn't accept.
Oda Nobunaga executed all hostages.

Murashige moved to Hanakuma castle and fought his final battle against Oda family there, but his army was defeated again.
Finally Murashige defected to the Mori family which had fought against Oda family.

Murashige lost his wife, family, domain and good reputation.
Even though that, he and some of his sons survived.
After Oda Nobunaga died, Murashige become a master of tea ceremony and lived in Sakai.
Again, he survived the latter half of his life under the reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the successor of Oda Nobunaga.

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, who was called Inu-kubou (the dog shogun)

Tokugawa Tunayoshi (1646-1709) was the 5th shogun of Tokugawa shogunate.
He was born as the fourth son of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd shogun.

Tunayosi is particularly famous for his "Shorui Awaremi no Rei (the laws for pitying all living things)".
This low was to prohibit people to abuse or kill any animals.
He made the law and punished harshly people who violated the law.
Especially Tunayoshi loved dogs, so if people abused dogs, they were severely punished.
Also he made huge shelter of stray dogs in Nakano, Edo.
Therefor he was called "Inu-kubou (the dog shogun)" by people.

His Shorui Awaremi no Rei has bad impression in Japanese context.
In some cases, people punished by the law even only they exterminated vermin.
This was extreme rule, so Tsunayoshi has been regarded as a foolish ruler in long time.

But recently, his achievements are being recognized again.
At the times of Tunayoshi, people had treated animals severely.
He seemed to want to change the attitude of people against animals.
Also he respected Confucianism.
He founded Yushimaseido (the school of Confucianism) in Edo.
He promoted studies to people.

Some theory says Tsunayoshi made the Shorui Awaremi no Rei after a monk told him to protect animals for gaining he a son.
Tsinayoshi had lost his children in their childhood, so he obeyed the advice from the monk.

It is hard to judge his true character today.
However, I guess he have tried to make his nation to better place.

The lady lord on the castle, Tachibana Ginchiyo

Tachibana Ginchiyo was born in Chikugo (part of current Fukuoka) province at the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
She was only child of Tachibana Dosetsu (in other name Bekki Akitsura), the legendary warlord of Otomo family.
Dosetsu had been in charge of Tachibana-yama castle in Chikuzen (part of current Fukuoka) province.
He couldn't get his son, so when he retired, he transferred the headship of the family to Ginchiyo in 1575.
At the times, it was unusual that women became a head of samurai family.
She was only 7 years old at this time.
Also she became the lord of Tachibana-yama castle.
According to legend, Dosetsu doted on her so much and taught her military tactics and military arts.
She was brought up as an independent lady.

When she was 13 years old she married Takahashi Munetora aka Tachibana Muneshige, a son of Takahashi Joun, another legendary warlord of Otomo clan.
Muneshige was adopted to Tachibana family to marry Ginchiyo.

Dousetsu hoped Ginchiyo and Muneshige retained Tachibana family together.
However their relationship was not very good.
As a strong and independent lady, Ginchiyo rarely obeyed to her husband.
Sometimes even she looked down Muneshige.
After Dosetsu died, their relationship grew worse and worse.
Muneshige got the Yanagawa castle in Chikugo province as a reward of war, and he moved to his new castle with Ginchiyo.
However, soon his wife got out of the castle alone.
That is, she chose to live apart from Muneshige finally.
Ginchiyo lived in a residence which was located far outside of the castle, with her waiting maids.

When the Sekigahara war broke out, Muneshige fought in siege of Yanagawa castle.
Yanagawa castle was great for defensive battles.
But Ginchiyo stayed in her residence.
She had fighting skills and tactics that her father told her.
She ordered to local peasants and fishermen to defend coast line.
So, the enemy couldn't invade her domain by seaside.
She survived her war with her armed waiting maids.

Finally the war was over by surrender of Muneshige to the enemy.
Munesige and Ginchiyo lost their domain.
Munesige became a ronin, and Ginchiyo had to live in a house of local peasant.
After 2 years later from the war, in 1602, Ginchiyo died for illness.
She was 34 years old.
Ginchiyo and Muneshige hadn't had any children.

The relationship between the wife and the husband was not good all the time.
But later, Muneshige got a promotion to daimyo in Tokugawa shogunate and came back to Yanagawa castle again.
At the time, he founded a family temple for Ginchiyo in his old domain.

Kaisen Joki, a high priest who had amazingly strong mentality

Kaisen Joki was a Buddhist priest of Rinzai sect at the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
He was born at Mino (the part of current Gifu) province.
Some theory told that he came from the family of the former daimyo of Mino province, Toki family.

He had been inaugurated to the head position of Myoshin-ji temple in Kyoto once.
After the days in Myoshin-ji he moved to the Sofuku-ji temple in Mino and became to the head priest of the temple.

In 1564, he moved to Kai (current Yamanashi) province for the request from daimyo Takeda Shingen.
Joki entered the Erin-ji temple in Kai.
Takeda Shingen respected Joki so much and asked him to teach Zen.
Shingen gave Joki a large area of domain and many gifts.
Joki became a Zen teacher to the daimyo.
Also he worked to connect Takeda Shingen to Saito Tatsuoki, the daimyo of Mino province.
As the result of Joki's act, Takeda clan and Saito clan could strengthen their relationship.

After Takeda Shingen died, his death was kept secret.
Then 3 years later Joki supported Katsuyori, a son of Shingen and held a funeral for Shingen.
Moreover Joki got a title from Emperor Ogimachi in 1581.
It was the peak of his life.
However, his end was coming.

In 1582, Takeda family was ruined by Oda family.
Takeda family had held former enemies of Oda family such as Sasaki Jiro from Rokkaku family in their domain.
In a panic after the downfall of Takeda family, the former enemies of Oda escaped to Erin-ji.
Joki sheltered them inside the temple.
So warlords of Oda family came to Erin-ji, besieged and set fire on the temple.
Joki and other many monks were burned to death by the fire.

According to legend, Joki left the death poem "Shinto mekkyaku sureba hi mo mata suzushi (if you meditate deeply, even the blaze can be cold)." in the fire.
This death poem is very popular today, so even people who don't know Joki know the poem.
There are various opinions about whether if the poem was read by Joki or wasn't.
In either case, the poem tells us the strong mentality or patience of the great priest Joki.

Our father of Japanese medical science, Ogata Koan

Ogata Koan (1810-1863) was born in Bitchu (the part of current Okayama) province as a son of lower-ranked samurai.
He had a weak constitution  for samurai so he aimed at become a medical doctor.

When his father was transferred to Osaka for work, he came to Osaka with his father.
While he stayed in Osaka, he learnt Rangaku (studies of western sciences) and medial science under a Ranpou-i (doctor who practices western medicine), Naka Tenyu.
Later he learnt Rangaku also at Edo and Nagasaki.

He came back Osaka and in 1838, he practiced medicine and founded Teki-juku, the school of Rangaku.
Also he married with Yae, a daughter of the Ranpou-i Okugawa Hyakki in this year.
At Teki-juku he taught students Rangaku gently but strictly same time.
He became popular for his gentle character and his great skill as both medical doctor and Rangaku teacher, therefore young people who hope to enroll to Teki-juku increased day by day.
Students came from all over Japan to Teki-juku.

Ogata Kouan started smallpox vaccination in Osaka, and saved many lives.
Also he strove to popularize the treatment among society.

For his great reputation, Tokugawa shogunate asked Koan to be a private doctor for shogun.
Kouan had to obey this offer, but it was not his wish.
He couldn't have better life in Edo than he had in Osaka.
He was getting weaker and died suddenly in 1863.

The way he died was a tragedy for a great person like him.
But he left great heritage to posterity.
The graduates from his Teki-juku flourished in society.
Moreover there were many great people in Japanese history from that graduates.
Such as Fukuzawa Yukichi (the founder of Keio university), Otori Keisuke (military leader), Sano Tsunetami (politician) and Tezuka Ryosen (the grand-grand father of Tezuka Osamu, the great manga artist).

Teki-juku was closed in 1868, but the building of Teki-juku was rebuilt in 1980 and still remain at same place before.
You can tour inside the traditional style building.
Now it was managed as a museum by Osaka university.
It is said that Teki-juku became the origin of the Osaka university.
Koan made a base of Japanese medical science in Osaka.

Chogen, the monk who governed province to rebuild Daibutsu and Todai-ji

Chogen (1121-1206) was a monk of Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism at the Heian and Kamakura period.
He is famous for his reconstruction of the Todai-ji temple and the Daibutsu-den hall (a hall for the huge statue of Buddha) in the temple.
According to legend, in his first half of life Chogen had experiences as a hijiri (the Buddhist missionary) and had been to China 3 times.
In addition some theory told that he met the monk Eisai (the founder of Rinzai sect) while they stayed in China.

In the former Genpei war between Minamoto clan and Taira clan in 1180, Todai-ji temple was burned by the warlord Taira no Shigehira of Taira clan.
The next year Chogen was appointed to the post to manage the project for the reconstruction of Todai-ji.
At this time Chogen was 61 years old already.
He managed to organize architects and missionaries who collect funds for the reconstruction.
Also he got support from Chinese architect Chin Wakei.
Chogen made 6 carts for touring places to collect funds, and even himself got on one of the carts and toured places.

In temporary he was given Suo (the eastern part of current Yamaguchi) province by Imperial court for his project.
From that he became kokushi (provincial governor) and was called "kokushi-shonin (the provincial governor saint)".
So he could have a right to get building materials and tax from these provinces.
But he had many obstacles on the process.
When he tried to get lumber in Suo province, local powerful families such as Ouchi clan interfered Chogen's business.
Also to get supporters who give fund to Chogen was difficult too.
Sometimes even he used dirty tricks to get powerful supporters.
He did everything to achieve success on the project.

He accomplished the reconstruction of Daibutsu (statue of Buddha) in 1185, then Daibutsu-den and some other buildings in Todai-ji in 1195.
He continued the project of reconstruction, however in 1206, he died.
He was 86 years old at the time.

Not only he dedicated his later life to the project, also he made various temples and maintained infrastructures at many places.
Especially in Yamaguchi prefecture, you can find many historical sites relating Chogen.
Even there is a daibutsu which was made of stone by Chogen in Houfu city.
Maybe it is fun to see and compare both daibutsu of Nara and Yamaguchi.

Yamashita Kiyoshi, the genius artist on wandering

Yamashita Kiyoshi (1922-1971) was a famous collage artist.
He left various great collage works to our society.
Also his travel to all over Japan have been a legend.

Kiyoshi was born at Asakusa, Tokyo.
He had a mild intellectual disability and was bullied in public schools.
Also his family background was not good.
His mother had trouble with his father in law (his biological father had died while he was very young.), and tried suicide with her kids.
Fortunately the suicide was prevented.
Soon he enrolled Yawata gakuen (Yawata institution) in Chiba prefecture which has supported disabled students.
At the school, they had an attempt to teach the art of collage to disabled children.
Kiyoshi resisted to his school life and caused troubles at first, but since he learnt the art of collage from teachers, he changed a bit.
He got a gentle attitude more than before.

However he escaped from his school life when he was 18 years old and started his life of wondering.
He hoped to see various interesting places in Japan.
He traveled to the places with begging foods to local people and working jobs in very short terms.
Most of time he got foods or money by begging.
Sometimes he performed something unusual (as an example, public nudity) to other people's eyes and even have been sent to police stations or mental hospitals.
But he didn't stop his wandering.
Always he tried to stay nights in station buildings and be scolded by local police officers.
Even though that, he continued his hard travels with his own way.

He had various obstacles to travel, but since he got a fame for his collage art once, his travel became going smooth.
Wherever he went, local merchants or rich people offered him a place for nights and asked him to make his art of collage for them.
So Kiyoshi no longer suffered to find places to sleep.
Also people offered him to buy his works, so he could got his own money.
He could enjoy his travel more than before at his later years.
Also he has traveled to Europe with doctors and teachers from Yawata gakuen.

Sadly, he died in 1974 at age of 49.
It was too early to die, but he left huge influence to our society in his short life.
We can see his delicate and gentle works of collage art today.

The great daimyo in Muromachi period, Ouchi Yoshihiro

Ouchi Yoshihiro (1356-1399) was daimyo in Suo, Nagato (these two provinces make the area as current Yamaguchi) and other many provinces at the Muromachi period.
The origin of Ouchi clan is not confirmed, but their ancestors seemed to came from Baekje kingdom in ancient Korea.

In his times, Muromachi shogunate had a problem.
Since before the shogunate founded, the Imperial Court had been separated to the Northern Court and Southern Court.
Muromachi shogunate had supported the Northern Court.
However the Southern Court hold their own Emperor in Yoshino, Yamato province (the area same as current Nara) and had resisted the Northern Court and Muromachi shogunate.
Also influential Kikuchi family in Kyushu region had resisted under the Southern Court.
Muromachi shogunate send Imagawa Sadayo, daimyo of Totomi (western part of current Shizuoka) to suppression Kikuchi clan and Kyushu region.
Ouchi Yoshihiro supported Imagawa Sadayo to defeat Kikuchi clan and warlords under the Southern Court.
This contribution made him to get new domains in Kyushu and Chugoku region.

In 1391, the war of Meitoku broke out.
In the war, a powerful daimyo Yamana family invaded Kyoto.
The war was caused by the provocation of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
Yoshimitsu had attempted to undermine powerful daimyo, and made provocation against them.
The war of Meitoku was one of results of that.
Ouchi Yoshihiro fought well to defend Kyoto from the army of Yamana.
After they defeated Yamana, shogun Yoshimitsu took most of Yamana's domains.
From the domains, he gave Izumi (a part of current Osaka) and Kii (a part of current Wakayama) provinces to Yoshihiro as a reward for the fight.

Izumi and Kii adjoined Yamato, where the Southern Court located.
From that, Yoshihiro got a connection to the Southern Court.
Then, Yoshihiro helped the unification of the Northern and Southern Courts in 1392.
This raised his reputation.

Moreover he have traded with Goryeo (a Korean dynasty) and made a large fortune.
Surprisingly, he asked the Goryeo to give him a domain in the area where Baekje existed.
As the reason for that, he claimed he was a descendant of the prince Seimei of Baekje kingdom.
His request wasn't approved, but this episode show us how Yoshihiro had a strong relationship with Goryeo in that times.

However his peak of his power didn't last long.
The relationship between Yoshihiro and shogun Yoshimitsu worsened gradually.
Yoshimitsu worried about the power of Yoshihiro included the relationship with Goryeo dynasty.
Yoshimitsu provoked Yoshihiro, and in 1399, the war of Ouei broke out.
The war located in Sakai, Izumi province and finally Yoshihiro was defeated.

Unfortunately Yoshihiro was killed, but his family survived and later they flourished again.
He got great credit by his lifelong activities.

Yamanaka "Shikanosuke" Yukimori, the medieval samurai who was dedicated his life for his master

There was a great samurai in Chugoku region in Japanese medieval history.
Yamanaka "Shikanosuke" Yukimori (1545-1578) was a warlord of daimyo Amako family in Izumo province (the east part of current Shimane prefecture).

His origin and the first half of his life was not confirmed, but according to legends, he had joined military action since he was very young, and he have defeated enemies.
Shikanosuke succeeded in battles he joined, however in 1567, Amako family was ruined by daimyo Mouri family of Aki province (the western part of current Hiroshima).
The head of Amako family Amako Yoshihisa was captured and kept under Mouri family as a guest.
Shikanosuke lost his master, and became a ronin (unemployed samurai).

However, Shikanosuke didn't give up his fight against Mouri family.
He went to Kyoto and contacted Amako Katsuhisa, who was one of Amako clan.
Katsuhisa had been left Izumo before the corruption of his family, and was a monk that time in Kyoto.
Shikanosuke made Katsuhisa as his new master, and took Katsuhisa with him to fight against Mouri.

They went back to Chugoku region and started their military action.
Shikanosuke succeeded in a series of battles against Mouri family.
He was not only skillful in hand-to-hand combat but also good at strategy.
He made local samurais to join his side one by one.
Moreover he kept contact with enemies of Mouri such as Otomo (the daimyo of north parts of Kyushu region) and Yamana (the daimyo of Chugoku region) family and tried to attack Mouri with them.
Temporary, even he took most of area of Izumo back to his hand.

It was unfortunate that Yamana left their side and made an agreement with Mouri.
The event broke the military balance in Chugoku and Shikanosuke lost his power.
He left Chugoku temporary, then joined the family of Oda Nobunaga in Kyoto.
Since after that he and his master Katsuhisa have fought as warlords of Oda family.

They stayed in Kozuki castle in Harima province (the western part of current Hyogo).
They battled in siege to Mouri, but finally they had to surrender to their long time enemy.
Shikanosuke and Katsuhisa were captured.
Katsuhisa chose Harakiri (a traditional way of suicide) soon after their lost.
After the death of his master, Shikanosuke was murdered by Mouri.
His long-standing battle was finally over.
He dedicated his whole life for the family of his masters.
The spirit of Shikanosuke has been respected by many people.

Here is one more curious fact.
According to Kounoike family, the famous wealthy merchant in Osaka at the Edo period, their ancestor was Shikanosuke.
Kounoike family have succeeded in business and got a huge prosperity.
Even nowadays, we can see the name of Kounoike in many Japanese companies.

The descendant of Muromachi shogun, Awa Kubou

It was the Sengoku period.

A daimyo and one of most powerful clans in Muromachi period, Miyoshi clan had a trouble with shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru.

So they plotted to back an another shougun up instead Yoshiteru.

In Awa domain (the area currently Tokushima prefecture), Ashikaga Yoshihide (1538-1568) was there.

Yoshihide's father was Ashikaga Yoshitsuna, and mother was a daughter of Ouchi Yoshioki (a powerful daimyo of Suo province).

The Miyoshi three (Miyoshi Nagayasu, Miyoshi Masayasu and Iwanari Tomomichi) who were in charge of Miyoshi clan, and Matsunaga Hisahide (a warlord of Miyoshi clan, even today he is famous for his many anecdotes) took Yoshihide to Settsu province (area between parts of current Osaka and Hyogo) and made him the 14th shougun of the Muromachi shogunate. 

Basically, successive Muromachi shogun had administered affairs in Kyoto, however Yoshihide had an ill and because of this, he couldn't enter to Kyoto.

He stayed in Settsu.

Unfortunately the reign by the shogun Yoshihide finished in only seven months.

Oda Nobunaga, the famous daimyo from Owari province (west part of current Aichi) invaded Kyoto taking Yoshihide's cousin Ashikaga Yoshiaki with him.

The Miyoshi three lost to Nobunaga and lost their power.

Nobunaga made Yoshiaki the 15th shougun of Muromachi shogunate.

Yoshihide had to escape to Awa (or according to some theory he escaped to other province).

Soon after that, his ill got worse and he died at the age of 31.

Since the death of Yoshihide his offspring have remained at Hirajima, Awa province.

The local folks called them "Awa (or Hirajima) Kubou" with respect.

The word Kubou was used to mean shogun at the times.

But actually, they had no power at all.

Besides, they have been treated coldly by daimyo Hachisuka family of Awa domain through Edo period.

They couldn't get enough income, so finally they started to sell their hand made "a charm against poisonous snake" to people to get money.

That was not suitable business for the family of former shogun, but they had to do that for living. 

Eventually they moved to Kyoto, but they couldn't get enough income there too.

At the Meiji period, normally daimyo and samurai could get the status by their former background, but Awa kubou couldn't get approved their status as samurai.

They lived Maiji period as a commoner.

Today, the site of the residence of Awa kubou is surrounded by only paddy fields, but there is a small museum "Awa kubou minzoku shiryokan (the Awa kubou museum of history and folklore)".

It is located Anan city, Tokushima prefecture.

The museum has exhibitions about Awa Kubou and the culture of peasants of Hirajima.

Even once His Imperial Highness of Japan have visited this museum.

There is a luxurious sofa that he took a rest.

Also you can sit on it after or before touring inside the museum.

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.

Togeppo Saioku-ji, the scenic spot which founded by Socho

There is a nice place I like in Shizuoka prefecture.
This is Saioku-ji, a very small temple of Rinzai sect.
The temple is located in Mariko, Shizuoka city.

At first, a famous renga (linked poem) poet and teacher Socho (1448-1532) built Saiokuken, a thatched hut here.
Later Imagawa Ujichika, daimyo of Suruga (a middle part of current Shizuoka prefecture) rebuilt the thatched hut Saiokuken as the temple Saioku-ji.

He had served to Imagawa Yoshitada, Ujichika's father, in his young times.
Then after the death of Yoshitada, he left Imagawa family in a short time and went to Kyoto.
He learned renga poetry from Soughi, also a famous renga poet and teacher at the Muromachi period.
Also he have learned Zen Buddhism from Zen monk Ikkyu while he stayed in Kyoto.

Later he returned to Imagawa family and served to Ujichika.
As a poet teacher, Socho mingled with court nobles,  daimyo and powerful warlords in all over Japan.
He loved culture of Kyoto and built Saiokuken in imitation of Ginkaku-ji temple in Kyoto.
In particular, he brought bamboos from Kyoto to around the thatced hut and made a beautiful bamboo glove with them there.
Beside that, he made a borrowing landscapes garden in front of Saiokuken.

Togeppo means "the mountain peak which produces the moon".
Today, normally we can't stay inside the temple at night so we don't see the moon, but we can see the nice view of Marikofuji mountain through the garden and the bamboo globe.

When I visited to the temple, I felt like I was in the bamboo globe in Kyoto.
Also the atmosphere around Saioku-ji is quiet and nice.
Surely you can enjoy there.

Chin Wakei made a huge ship for Kamakura Shogun

In Japanese history, sometimes we can see many interesting people.
For me, particularly people at the Kamakura period look attractive.
So I want to introduce random person to you from time to time.

The anecdote of Chin Wakei (or Chin Nakei) is mysterious.
He was a Chinese craftsman in the Kamakura period.
He come from Song (a dinasty of China) to Japan, but still we can't confirm the year he came.
In 1183, he maintained the daibutsu (large statue of Buddha) of the Toudai-ji temple in Nara that damaged by a war, and rebuild daibutsuden, a hall for daibutsu.
He did them at the request of Chogen, a Japanese Buddhist monk who devoted his life to rebuild the daibutsu.

In 1195 Chin Wakei was offered to attend a ceremony for the rebuilding of the daibutsu by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first Kamakura shogun.
But Chin Wakei refused Yoritomo's offer, because Yoritomo had killed so many people during the war times.
That was the reason according to Wakei.

20 years later, Chin Wakei appeared in Kamakura even he had refused Yoritomo's offer before.
He meet the 3rd Kamakura shogun Minamoto no Sanetomo (Yoritomo's son).
He claimed Sanetomo was the reincarnation of a legendary Chinese Buddhist monk, and gained Sanetomo's confidence.
Then Sanetomo dreamed of making a voyage to China and visiting his temple in his previous life, and ordered Wakei to build a huge ship.

Finally Wakei made a huge Chinese style ship.
He brought the ship to Yuigahama beach, Kamakura.
However, unfortunately the ship sunk into the sandy beach because it was too heavy, and Wakei never could bring the ship to the sea.
The ship was abandoned at the sandy beach.
Sanetomo couldn't travel to China.

There is no record about Wakei's life after the case of the huge ship.
How do you think what happened to Wakei after that?

Gyoki, the great Japanese Buddhist priest who called Bosatsu

If you visit Japan and keep interest to the sites of traditional construction, you will hear the name of Gyoki at somewhere related to him.

Gyoki (668-749) was a Japanese Buddhist priest.

He born in Kawachi province (a part of area in current Osaka) at the Asuka period.

Ancestors of his clan came from Korean peninsula.

His clan had rooted the area he was born.

At his birth place, currently in Sakai city, now there is Ebara-ji temple founded by Gyoki himself. 

Gyoki was respected by people in his times.

He helped poor people by mainly building and maintaining infrastructure on his own.

For example he have made so many ponds, bridges, harbors and temples for people.

Because of that he got popularity and poor people gathered around him.

People worshiped him so much, therefore the imperial court was alarmed by him first.

However when the imperial court had a plan to make daibutsu (large statue of Buddha), they used the power and popularity of Gyoki.

Gyoki and his disciples joined the project of making daibutsu.

His construction skill and workers he could gather were much help for the project

After his death, the daibutsu project accomplished in 752.

People called Gyoki "Gyoki Bosatsu (a Buddhist saint Gyoki)" with respect.

Gyoki have traveled all over Japan and helped people at each places.

So today, in all over Japan we can see the constructions Gyoki made such as ponds, bridges, temples, etc.

As his famous works in Osaka, there are Sayama-ike pond and Kumeda-ike pond.

Sayama-ike pond is huge and you can enjoy walking around it.

Eifuku-ji temple is where the grave site of prince Shotoku is located

Shotoku Taishi (prince Shotoku) was the person who introduced Buddhism to Japan first.
Literally he made the origin of Japanese Buddhism history.
Also as a great politician, he supported the reign of empress Suiko at the Asuka period.

According to a famous anecdote, he could understand talking from ten people at same time.
From this anecdote and other his achievements, he is a symbol of intelligence and gentleness to Japanese people today.

In Taishi town, Osaka, there is Eifuku-ji temple where Shotoku Taishi was buried after his death in 622.
The temple has majestic buildings, a tahoutou (two-storied pagoda) and the grave site of Shotoku Taishi.
In the grave site, Shotoku Taishi, his mother and wife have buried.

As a founder of Japanese Buddhism, Shotoku have been respected so much by people and Buddhist monks in later generations.
In addition, the founders of Japanese Buddhism sects or famous monks such as Kukai, Shinran, Nichiren, Ippen and others have visited the grave of Shotoku.

Once Eifuku-ji was burned down by Oda Nobunaga, the ruler in medieval time.
Later Toyotomi Hideyori, the son of following ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi, rebuilt the temple.
So most of buildings we can see there was build in 17th century.

Around the temple, there are also the grave sites of Ono no Imoko (the diplomat who was sent to China by Shotoku Taichi) or first three of Kawachi Genji clan (ancesters of Kamakura Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo).
If you have a interest to Shotoku Taishi or the historical people, I recommend you to visit the area.

Sanada Nobushige aka Yukimura, the most dangerous and wisest warlord

In the medieval history of Osaka city, the presence of Toyotomi clan was huge.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a ruler of Japan in a period of time, made the base of today's Osaka city.
At the particular time with administration by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, practically Osaka was a central of the nation.

However, one can't keep his position forever.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi died in 1598, and after his death, the authority of Toyotomi clan among the nation declined.
Moreover, Hideyoshi's contender Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated Isida Mitsunari, a daimyo on Toyotomi clan side, at the war of Sekigahara in 1600.
Tokugawa Ieyasu executed Isida Mitunari in Rokujo-gawara, Kyoto, and he founded Tokugawa shogunate in 1603.
Ieyasu got a huge power at this time.

Finally he started "Osaka no Jin (the siege of Osaka)" in 1614 against declined Toyotomi clan.
Most of major daimyo joined Tokugawa side.
In contrast, Toyotomi clan didn't have daimyo who fought with them.
However,  ronin (samurai who isn't employed) soldiers and some warlords (including former daimyo who had been deprived their position by Ieyasu) joined Toyotomi side.
Among them there was Sanada Nobushige, as known as Sanada Yukimura, the legendary warlord.

Once Nobushige had fought on the side of Ishida Mitunari in 1600.
He and his father Masayuki stayed inside of their Ueda castle in Shinano province (today's Nagano prefecture) to against the besiegement by the military corps of Tokugawa Hidetada, son of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
They fought quite well and delayed arrival of the corps of Hidetada to Sekigahara field.
After the war, Ieyasu worried that the son and father of Sanada will joined his enemy side again.
Therefore Ieyasu forced a domiciliary confinement to them.
They had to stay at a hermitage in Kudoyama, Kii province (today's Wakayama prefecture).
In 1611 Masayuki died at the place, and later Nobushige and his son Daisuke escaped from their hermitage and joined Toyotomi side in the siege of Osaka.

Again, Nobushige fought well on Toyotomi side at the first battle.
He and his clan Sanada had been famous for their tricky and wise way of battle.
He suggested clever tactics to his bosses in Toyotomi clan.
But his plans denied, so he took a fighting with besiegement.
He built the "Sanada-maru" barbican outside of Osaka castle, and stayed inside.
He shoot missiles to enemy corps coming or passed by, and killed so many enemies there.

Tokugawa and Toyotomi stopped fighting a while, but it was temporary.

At the second battle he didn't have any nice plan because it was a loosing battle for him and Toyotomi clan.
At last Nobushige made an attempt to charge to where Tokugawa Ieyasu had been encamped.
He nearly killed Ieyasu, but he couldn't accomplish that.
Nobusige died at the nearby where Ieyasu was.

Nobushige's cleverness and courageousness impress us so much.
Today people visit the places related to the lives of Nobushige or Sanada family.
At Ueda castle, Kudoyama or Yasui shrine (where Nobushige died) in Osaka city, even you can see young ladies who are fans of Nobushige.

Nowadays Nobushige appears in video games or animes with the name of "Yukimura".
The name came from "koudan", the battle stories in Edo period.
People in Edo called Nobushige "Yukimura" with respect.
The tradition continues today.

Ippen Shonin, the Buddhist itinerant preacher who traveled all over Japan

I respect many historical people, and he is one of most respectable ones.
He, Ippen Shonin (the holy priest Ippen) was born in Iyo province (the same area as current Ehime prefecture on Shikoku island) in the Kamakura period.
He lived
He came from former daimyo Kouno family but he became a priest when he was still a child.

In Kouno family, Ippen's grand father and uncles had fought the Jokyu war (1221) on emperor Gotoba side.
As a result of the losing battle of Gotoba side, Kouno family had lost most of their military power when Ippen was born.
It seemed to be one of reason Ippen had to become a priest in his childhood.
Besides that, Ippen lost his mother just before he entered in Buddhist temple.
He learned Buddhism in a temple in Dazaifu, Chikuzen province (a part of current Fukuoka prefecture) until age 25.

When his father died Ippen once returned to be a samurai, however some years later he became a priest again.
He trained himself, and then started the trip to preach.

In beginning of the trip, Ippen took Chouichi and Chouni, his cheerful wife and young daughter who also had been nuns, and servant Nembutsubou with him.
But soon he left them after they visited Kumano hongu shrine, Kii province (the area now Wakayama prefecture and part of Mie prefecture).
We can't confirm how he changed his mind, but to the expected very hard trip, we can't blame his decision.

He went on his trip alone.
At places he only told people to chant simple nembutsu (Buddhist invocation).
This was "nam amida butsu".
Ippen told people if they keep chanting the nembutsu they can get salvation.
So many men and women of all ages gathered to Ippen, then they become priest or nun and joined to Ippen as disciples.

At that period, most of Buddhist priests didn't care how women, very poor people or people with leprosy and serious disease could get salvation.
But Ippen let them joining to his party, and he continued his trip with them.
Ippen and the party traveled all over Japan and influenced many people.
Sometimes the party had "odori nembutsu (a dancing invocation)" in rapture.
Ippen himself rang a hand bell with them.

At his death scene, Ippen told disciples to burn all of his text books of Buddhism.
Also he told them not to found his sect after him.

He haven't built any temples.
He haven't sought any fame for himself.
He just tried to make people happy and ease their suffering.

Nowadays we can see how was the trip of Ippen Shonin in the Ippen hijiri-e (a story book with pictures that Shoukai, Ippen's younger brother and his disciple made with other priests).