Taga-jo Castle in Tohoku District

I visited the ruin of Taga Castle the other day. Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) visited the castle to shed tears to find something 1000-year old, an old stone monument in front of the ruin. The castle was built in 724. The monument was built in 762. Otomo Yakamochi (718-785) was sent to the castle to rule the Tohoku district only to die there. Sakanoue Tamuramaro (758-811) invaded north from the castle. Saigyo (1118-1190), lured by the reputation of the monument, visited the castle. Kitabatake Akiie (1318- 1338) carried out 2 campaigns from the castle to Kyoto to restore the imperial rule. Basho started his trip to Tohoku 5 canturies after Saigyo's death. Almost 13 centuries have passed when I reached the foot of the ruin. I almost shed tears to breathe the same air the predecessors had respired.