Trees In the Town

 

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary: Memories of the Imperial Palace (6)

 

     As the mid-winter seasonal events pass one after another, the time has come for the Gosechi Festival. Because this is the special Gosechi held in the year of the new Emperor’s accession, the dancers are chosen from the highest-ranking families, making it far more grand than usual. Everyone is abuzz, saying it will be a truly spectacular occasion. The ladies-in-waiting keep crowding around me, eagerly asking one question after another:

     "I simply must see the young girls on the day the new Emperor attends the sacred court dances!"

     "On the night of the Tiger, it’s tradition for the courtiers to bare their shoulders, isn't it? From which direction should I watch?"

But I have no heart to answer them.

     My mind drifts back. Was it perhaps because it was to be his very last Gosechi that the late Emperor had shown such extraordinary excitement that year? From the very night the dancers entered the palace, he had made such a delightful fuss. The night wore on late with the girls rehearsing on stage, and the next morning, the Emperor slept in much later than usual.

     Yet, upon hearing that snow had fallen, he arose. The Empress was with him at the time, and they were writing letters to their families. Attending them in their presence, we, the ladies, prepared the decorative hikage cords together and tied them to the letters. >

Now, I find myself standing again in the grand upper chambers—which currently lie empty, without a wife for the young Emperor yet. Looking around, I am flooded with memories of those intimate days we all shared here, and I feel utterly detached, with no interest whatsoever in this year's festivities.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual New Innami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #20 Choraku-ji Temple

 

     Choraku-ji Temple was founded at the foot of Mount Ofuji No. 3 Tumulus in 713 by Priest Jishin.

     The entry dated May 2nd, 713, in Nihon Shoki records that provincial governments were ordered to hand in reports containing the names of counties, villages, and others.  Presumably, the Harima Provincial Government recognized the existence of Choraku-ji Temple with Jishin as its priest in 713.

     As the temple's precincts have a sarcophagus, which is called Kamae-no-Sekikan, or Kamae Sarchophagus, and Argha Spring, a sacred well.  It could have been a holy place since prehistoric days.

     All the temple buildings were burned down in 1578, when the Oda Army invaded Harima Province.  The temple was revived in its present place in 1706.  Its main hall was destroyed in a typhoon in 2011.  The main hall site is still a vacant lot.

Address: Nagamuro-853-1 Shikatacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0347

Phone: 079-452-2530

Ex-Choraku-ji Temple Site

Address: Nagamuro-862 Shikatacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0347

Mount Ofuji No. 3 Tumulus

Address: Nagamuro Shikatacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0347

Kamae Sarchophagus

Address: Nagamuro-862 Shikatacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0347

Choraku-ji Temple Akai (Argha Spring; sacred well)

Address: Nagamuro-851 Shikatacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0347

Trees In the Town

 

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary: Memories of the Imperial Palace (5)

 

     October 11th is the day of the purification ceremony for the Daijo-e (Great Thanksgiving Festival). People and provisions from all provinces flood into the capital, and the air is thick with final preparations.

     On the day of the actual festival, Fujiwara Nagazane arrives to style the young Emperor's hair. The Minister of the Interior rolls up the blinds of the breakfast room, while the Regent takes his seat on the threshold. Standing on the veranda is Fujiwara Akitaka, striking in his crimson court robe, efficiently directing the entire proceedings.

     As the Emperor’s hair styling is nearing completion, a court official hurries in and reports:

"The new Emperor's adoptive mother, Princess Reishi, has arrived."

The Regent calmly replies, "Understood. Proceed with the ceremony."

     Thus, the ultimate preparations are complete, and the Princess and her retinue stand waiting, arrayed in their magnificent, multi-layered robes.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual New Innami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #19 Kannon-ji Temple

 

     Kannon-ji Temple was founded by Priest Sochin in 1578 in the site of the main keep of Shikata Castle.

Shikata Castle's lord was the Kushihashi Family.  The family produced Mitsu (1553-1627), the wife of Kuroda Yoshitaka (1546-1604), a military strategist during the Warring States Period (1467-1573).  The castle was built in 1492 by Kushihashi Norikore (1433-1487).  In 1573, when either Kushihashi Koresada (1522-1573) or his son, Masakore (?-1578), was the lord of the castle, the castle fell to the Oda Army.

     Sochin is said to have founded Kannon-ji Temple to keep the graves of the Kushihashi Family.

     For your information, the site of the second keep is used as Shikata Elementary School, and Uenomachi Public Hall is built on the site of the west keep.

     Kannon-ji Temple belongs to Caodong Chan School but Mitsu is known as a devoted Pure Land Buddhist, while Yoshitaka and their son, Nagamasa (1568-1623), were once Christian.  Why do we still fight religious wars?

Address: Shikatamachi-720 Shikatacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0321

Phone: 079-452-2370

Shikata Elementary School

Address: Shikatamachi-1050 Shikatacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0321

Phone: 079-452-0066

Uenomachi Public Hall

Address: 1093 Shikatacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0321

Phone: 079-452-4251

Trees In the Town

 

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary: Memories of the Imperial Palace (4)

 

     And so, September arrives. Following the celebratory meal for the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day, the tenth day also passes.

     On a languid midday, as I glance toward the Kurabeya room, memories from long ago flood back—of how the late Emperor thoughtfully offered to teach me the sutras, saying, "I shall make a clean copy of the sutras I have learned and give it to you." To do this, he went out of his way to move from his usual place before the Buddha, walking through two rooms just to bring the transcript to my chambers. He even fretted, half-shyly, "If I bring these sutras out in public like this, people might laugh at me for favoring you." Remembering how he cherished me far beyond what I deserved, I am deeply moved.

     Suddenly, the young, new Emperor bursts in, breaking my reverie.

"Hold me," he commands, "and show me the paintings on the sliding doors." As he pulls me back to reality, my sorrowful memories seem to fade. But as I hold him and show him the paintings on the doors of the breakfast room, my heart catches. There, on the wall of the Night Palace, I spot the faint traces of flute sheet music that the late Emperor once pasted—a melody he tried to memorize by gazing at it morning and night. Overwhelmed with emotion, I cannot restrain my tears.

Gazing at the faded traces

Of the flute music

Pasted on the wall by his hand,

The past feels nothing but a dream.

     As I sorrowfully press my sleeve to my face to weep, the new Emperor looks up at me with an innocent, puzzled expression. Hoping to hide my grief from the child, I act casually and say, "I only yawned just now, and it brought tears to my eyes."

"I know the truth," he replies softly.

     His words are both endearing and astonishing. "What could you possibly know?" I ask.

     He smiles and answers, "You must have been remembering that name—the one that starts with the character 'Ho', followed by 'ri'."

     Realizing that, despite his tender age, he completely understands that I am mourning Emperor Horikawa, my heart swells with affection for him. My profound sadness momentarily vanishes, and a helpless smile breaks through my tears.

     In this gentle manner, the rest of September passes uneventfully.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual New Innami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #18 Joraku-ji Temple

 

     Joraku-ji Temple was founded in today's Nakanishi Nishikankicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0043, in 1333 by Priest Meitetsu, who later became the head priest of Komyo-ji Temple, which is the head temple of Joraku-ji Temple.

     The temple functioned as a fort of the Akamatsu Clan.  As the clan declined, so did the temple.  However, the Kanki Family, who are said to be a branch of the Akamatsu Clan, built their fortress around where Joraku-ji Temple is located today, and made the then Joraku-ji Temple their family temple.

     In 1578, when Kanki Yorisada (1550-1578) was the lord of the fortress, Oda Nobutada (1557-1582) killed Yorisada and destroyed the fortress.  The then Joraku-ji Temple was also burned down.  The then priest, Shoshun, built the grave for Yorisada and revived the temple in the fortress site, where Joraku-ji Temple is located.

     In today's Nakanishi Nishikankicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0043, there is the site of the so-called Nakanishi Abolished Temple.  The site has a center foundation stone about 76 centimeters in diameter and about 26 centimeters in depth.  There should have been a gigantic wooden Buddhist tower.  Judging from excavated roof tiles, the temple existed from the end of the 7th century to the 12th century.  In the Nakanishi area, there is Iwai Pure Water Spring, for which the leftover stones are used from the temple.

     It is unknown whether Ex-Joraku-ji Temple was the successor of the Nakanishi Abolished Temple, the successor of a sub-temple of the Nakanishi Abolished Temple, or had nothing to do with the Nakanishi Abolished Temple.

     It is unknown why, but there are 2 more Joraku-ji Temples in Kakogawa City.  There are 127 Joraku-ji Temples nationwide, while we have 792 cities, towns, and villages.  Obviously, the ratio of Joraku-ji Temples in the city far exceeds the average.

Address: Kanki-1413 Higashikankicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0057

Komyo-ji Temple

Address: Saijo-no-uchi 26-1 Ao, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto 617-0811

Phone: 075-955-0002

Kanki Fortress Site

Address: Jorakuji 1413, Higashikankicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0057

The Grave of Kanki Yorisada, the Lord of the Kanki Fortress

Address: Kanki-1343-1 Higashikankicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0057

Iwai Pure Water Spring

Address: Nakanishi-269 Nishikankicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0043

Joraku-ji Temple

Address: Ono-1762 Kakogawacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0061

Phone: 0794245882

Joraku-ji Temple

Address: Inokuchi-158 Kamisocho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-1212

Phone: 079-428-2207

Trees In the Town

 

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary: Memories of the Imperial Palace (3)

 

     When dawn breaks, the ladies-in-waiting quickly rise, wanting to see some unusual places, but I know that if I went out with them, I would only be reminded of the past, so I just sit there idly. Then the new Emperor comes and says,

"Come, come. I don't know the way to Kurodo, so please show me," he says, and takes my hand and makes me stand.

     When I go towards Kurodo, I see that both Seiryoden and Jinjuden are just as they were in the past. Looking at the kitchen and the shoji screens around Kunming Pond now, I feel as if I were meeting old acquaintances. The Empress used to be in Kokiden, but now it is the Chancellor's night duty quarters. In front of the small half-shutter of the Kurodo gate, the shrubbery planted by the late Emperor has grown vigorously and freely, and I recall the poem written by Miharu Arisuke:

The clump of pampas grass planted by the late lord

Has grown so thick

That it has become a field

Where insects chirp incessantly.

     Among the various colorful flowers blooming along the stream of the ditch, the deep-colored bush clover is particularly beautiful, its blossoms profusely, the morning dew piercing like jewels, and its swaying in the evening breeze creating a truly special feeling. Seeing this, I imagine how much the late Emperor would admire it and I think:

Seeing the flowers blooming as beautifully

As ever near the bush clover gate,

My sleeves are drenched with tears

As I remember my departed one.

     Since there is no one who shares the same feelings as me, and it would be inappropriate for it to become known to the public so soon after the new Emperor’s moving into the palace. Whenever I look towards the Shokoden, I am reminded of someone. I sense that she must be thinking deeply about the past at home, and I offer her this poem:

Please understand. 

Whenever I hear about the flowers of the bush clover

That we once saw together,

My heart is filled with sadness and turmoil.

     She writes back, "Thinking about it, even when you are at the palace as before, you think so. How much more so my feelings, when I am at home, thinking deeply about the past without a doubt.  Please fully surmise my feelings.”

     How little she understands! It is precisely because I am here at court, in this very manner, that the memories of the past are brought back to me all the more painfully.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual New Innami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #17 Jofuku-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Jofuku-ji Temple was founded in Oguni Village, Innami County, Harima Province.

     Although Oguni Village was documented in the Wamyo Ruijusho, namely Japanese Names for Things Classified and Annotated,  which was a Japanese dictionary compiled in 938, it isn't certain if it covered the same area with the medieval one.  The Oguni Manor was first documented in 1155.  Kanki Village was documented as part of the manor in 1306.  The medieval Oguni Village was documented in 1595.

     Jofuku-ji Temple's precincts have several Buddhist stone coffin statues which were made in the Muromachi Period (1336-1573).  So, it isn't certain if the area was called Oguni Village when the temple was founded.

Address: Oguni-340 Nishikankicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0044

Phone: 079-432-5205

Trees In the Town

 

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary: Memories of the Imperial Palace (2)

 

     Tonight, too, as I lie beside the new Emperor and look around, the palace at night seems no different from how it was in the time of the late Emperor. The only change is that, because the new Emperor has only recently moved into his new residence, the fire and water brought by the young girls are still placed on either side of his pillow.

     Even as I lie here, I am reminded of how I used to attend to the late Emperor on nights when the Empress did not visit, and I am simply overcome with a boundless sorrow. While everyone else seems to be sleeping peacefully, my thoughts drift endlessly from one thing to another, preventing me from closing my eyes. The voices of the Takiguchi guards announcing the hour, shifting between the bathhouse and the palace entrance—voices I used to hear only faintly—now echo clearly. An official from the Right Gate Guards calls out, "We'd better check it out—can't know what it is without looking," followed by the rustling sound of a wooden peg being slotted into the time-marker board. The night watchmen from the Left Gate Guards, appearing hurried, patrol the grounds just as they did in the past.

     As I gaze at the drapery of the ceremonial canopy, many of the late Emperor's words come rushing back to me. "When will this longing ever dry up?" I wonder. My sleeves, as I sleep alone, grow wetter and wetter, my tears flowing so copiously that one could fish beneath my pillow. Everything appears exactly as it used to be, which makes the late Emperor's absence all the more heartbreaking. Looking toward the young Emperor, he seems so tiny and childlike, making me realize all over again how different the late Emperor was.

     It brings to mind a time about two years ago, when I was attending to the late Emperor day and night in this very manner. His illness had shown signs of improvement, but Cloistered Emperor Shirakawa had cautioned him,

"Please be exceedingly careful, and do not venture out at night for the time being."

     To pass the time, the late Emperor would tell me endless stories of things past and present. On one such occasion, when the Regent approached from behind, I felt it would be improper and unseemly to remain by the Emperor's side, so I rose to leave. Sensing that I wished to avoid being seen by the Regent, the late Emperor said,

"Stay right where you are. I shall make a screen for you."

He then raised his knees to hide me from view. That act of kindness feels as though it happened only moments ago.

     I cannot believe how much the world has changed. Everyone else has moved on, and I am the only one who remains left behind. What karmic bond from a past life could have bound me to such a fate? As these thoughts spin through my mind, the grief becomes utterly unbearable.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual New Innami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #16 Shoho-an Temple

 

     Jizo-in Temple was founded in 1666.  Kitahara Toshitaka is the 20th priest of the temple.  Its 19th priest was the master of Shobo-an Hermitage.  The hermitage was rebuilt with concrete blocks in 1977.  Innami Gun Shi, or the Innami County Topography, was published in 1906.  When its enlarged edition was published in 1916, it listed Shobo-an Hermitage as the #16 member of the Innami 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.  When Kyodo Shi No. 18 was published in 1952, it listed Jizo-ji Temple as its #16.

     All in all, Shobo-an Hermitage was abolished when Haibutsu Kishaku (literally "abolish Buddhism and destroy Shakamuni”) was executed in many parts of Japan after the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century.  Although it is unknown whether Jizo-in Temple replaced Shobo-an Hermitage before, during, or after World War II, the hermitage was rebuilt after the Japanese economic miracle from 1955 to 1973.

     Every and any member of an every and any Kannon Pilgrimage is supposed to enshrine a transformation of Avaloketesvara:

1) Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses

2) Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha

3) Thousand-Armed Sahasrabhuja

4) Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six,

5) Horse-Headed Hayagriva

6) Cundi, who has 16 arms, and who appears to be female

7) Amoghapasa, who usually has 3 eyes and 8 arms

    Today, however, Shobo-an Hermitage's main deity is Ksitigarbha.  Where has any transformation of Avalokitesvara gone?

Address: Amida-1530 Amidacho, Takasago, Hyogo 676-0827

Jizo-in Temple

Address: Amida-2841-1 Amidacho, Takasago, Hyogo 676-0827

Phone: 079-447-4430

Trees In the Town

 

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary: Memories of the Imperial Palace (1)

 

     And so, in August, it is decided that the new Emperor will officially move to the Imperial Palace on the twenty-first day of the month. Everyone around me is swept up in the bustle of preparations. I know well that this is to be the young Emperor's grand entry into the palace; yet, I also know that seeing the palace grounds completely unchanged from the days of the late Emperor will break my heart and unleash a torrent of tears. Therefore, I have no intention of going.

     However, I receive a message from Fujiwara Mitsuko: "The Retired Emperor has commanded that all ladies appropriate for the occasion must report for service. You must attend."

     I reply, "Regarding the command, I shall send only the young maids who have already been assigned to carry the ritual fire and water from here. I myself will not report for service."

To this, she urges, "Indeed, your grief is entirely understandable. Yet, this is an express order from the Retired Emperor. Refusing it might make it seem as though you harbor resentment. You must endure this and come after all."

     Pressured by her words, I finally relent and prepare to go, bitterly reflecting, “Is even a small wish like this beyond my own control?”

     On the day of the relocation, the Minister of the Interior attends to the young Emperor. In the Asagarei breakfast room, he rolls up the blinds and ties the Emperor’s hair into a topknot. Watching this ritual, I am struck by a profound wave of emotion—the young Emperor looks so heartbreakingly like the late Emperor.

     The procession begins after dark. I accompany them, following closely behind in the carriage. As soon as we enter the Nakamikadogomon gate, just as I expected, my heart is filled with emotion. The other day, on my way to visit Koryu-ji Temple, I peeked inside the gate, and at the time I thought, "This is the gate I used to come and go through in the morning and in the evening." The late Emperor had moved to Horikawain Residence after December 20th of the year before last, and I had left the palace too. I had never dreamed that day would be my last. I thought, "No matter what happens now, I will never enter the palace in this world again." But contrary to my expectations, I find myself back here again. Even though I am the very same person who vowed never to return, here I am, and it is truly painful and sad.

     When I arrive at the Imperial Palace, I learn that my chambers are the former chambers of Fujiwara Ieko. During the day, Mitsuko is in her chambers, and I go there with the imperial belongings. I pass the Kurabeya room, and Mitsuko’s chambers are a little nearer to the center of the palace.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual New Innami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #15 Fudan-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Fudan-ji Temple was founded in Amida Village, Innami County, Harima Province, but it is located at the foot of Amida No. 4 tomb, which is supposed to have been constructed in the 6th century.  Amida Village was first documented in 1336 as the Amida Staging Post.

     The Buddhist stone statue at the top of the Amida No. 4 tomb is said to be the grave of Nasu Yoichi (1169-1189).  Believe it or not.

According to the Tale of Heike, the Taira Clan placed a fan atop a pole on one of their ships, daring the Minamoto Clan's samurai to shoot it off.  Yoichi shot it down with only one shot, on his horse in the waves.  Due to the famous story, Yoichi has 6 graves besides the one in Fudan-ji Temple.

     Yoichi was buried in Sokujo-in temple, and then some of his cremated bones were entombed in Gensho-ji Temple.  His distant relatives’ offspring, his worshippers, and others built his graves in Hekiun-ji Temple, Sairen-ji Temple, Fudo-ji Temple, and in the mountain of Ibara Manor.

Address: Amida-1956 Amidachō, Takasago, Hyogo 676-0827

Sakujo-in Temple

Address: 28 Sennyuji Yamanouchicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0977

Phone: 075-561-3443

Gensho-ji Temple

Address: 361 Fukuwara, Otawara, Tochigi 324-0024

Phone: 0287-28-0211

Hekiun-ji Temple

Address: Enmanbayashi-24-8 Myohoji, Suma Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 654-0121

Phone: 078-741-3751

Sairen-ji Temple

Address: 5 Chome-4-7 Central, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-0045

Phone: 0238-23-9400

Nasu Yoichi Grave

Address: 2587 Nogamicho, Ibara, Okayama 715-0006

Fudo-ji Temple

Address: 195 Nagano, Tanabe, Wakayama 646-0213

Phone: 0739-34-0841

Trees In the Town

 

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary: Days of Imperial Mourning (10)

 

     Since the memorial services for the first anniversary of the late Emperor’s passing were completed, the national mourning period officially came to an end on the twenty-fifth day. All the courtiers shed their somber mourning garments. For the past year, the Emperor's residence had been shrouded with plain, unadorned blinds and screens, but these were now entirely removed. The curtains in the night chambers, which had been absent for months, were re-erected just as before. The entire palace was restored to its former state—magnificent, radiant, and without a single trace of change.

     The Regent, along with the other courtiers and chamberlains, changed into their formal court attire, letting the long tassels of their crowns hang down. The ladies-in-waiting, each eager to outshine the other in beauty, lined up like celestial beings in a vibrant palette of colors. It was a stark contrast to the bleak months gone by, filling the air with a fresh, celebratory renewal. Their hairpins and ties, strictly white during the mourning period, were now being prepared in the customary dark purple.

     The Regent entered the palace properly dressed in his ceremonial attire and summoned me, saying, "Come immediately." When I arrived, he was helping the new Emperor dress himself. The Emperor was dressed so beautifully, in a fine, exquisite robe. However, as I adjusted the hem of the robe, I was immediately reminded of the late Emperor. I remembered so vividly how he would appear each day to pay his respects at the lime altar, dressed in that exact manner.

     "The officials have arrived. It must be time," the Regent said, urging the Emperor to hurry. But I could not possibly attend the ceremony without changing out of my own mourning clothes, so I withdrew. Yet, even after returning to my chambers, I did not feel like changing immediately.

     “Should I really take off these mourning clothes?” I thought. “I have considered them my only physical memento of the late Emperor. It would be truly heartbreaking to take them off. Everyone in the country—both those who were sincere towards the Emperor and those who were not—wore mourning. For those of us who served him so closely to cast them aside at the exact same moment as everyone else… it would be wrong.” I felt deeply reluctant to change. However, as it was the unyielding custom of the court, I reluctantly took them off.

Yoshimine Munesada (816–890) became a monk and lived in seclusion after the death of Emperor Ninmyo (810–850). He composed the following poem when people shed their mourning clothes the following year:

While all the world casts off their robes of woe,

And changes into garments of splendid hue,

I am bound to this monk’s attire, unable to let it go—

If only these endless tears would dry up, too.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual New Innami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #14 Shinzen-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Shinzen-ji Temple was founded in Bessho Village, Innami County, Harima Province, but its precincts have Amida Sekkanbutsu (the Amida Stone Coffin Statue), which was carved in 1265, in front of the temple's living quarter.

     Amida Stone Coffin Statues are unique Buddhist icons with Amitabha figures carved directly into the lids of stone coffins from the Kofun period. Most were crafted between the 12th and 16th centuries, with a particularly high concentration in Harima Province. The statues depict Amitabha in both standing and seated poses, often featuring the meditation mudra (Jo-in) held before the torso.

     The primary material used was Tatsuyama stone (a type of hyaloclastite), prized for its paradoxically ideal qualities: it is soft enough for intricate carving yet strong, durable, and exceptionally fire-resistant.

     Throughout Japanese history, Tatsuyama stone has been a material of prestige. Between the 5th and 7th centuries, it was used for the sarcophagi of elite burial mounds, including the massive Daisen-ryo Kofun (Tomb of Emperor Nintoku). In the Nara period, it formed the foundations of the Heijo and Kuni Palaces and the pedestal of the Asuka-dera Great Buddha. Its use continued through the centuries, from the stone walls of Himeji Castle to modern landmarks like the National Diet Building and the Imperial Palace Fukiage Garden.

     While the choice of such high-quality stone is logical, the motive for using actual coffin lids remains a fascinating mystery:

     Convenience? Was it simply a matter of repurposing readily available, pre-cut high-quality stone?

     Ancestral Piety? Were medieval locals the descendants of those buried in the mounds, seeking to offer Buddhist prayers for the repose of their ancestors' souls?

     Dominance? Or were they the conquerors of the previous dynasty’s descendants, finding a sense of superiority in carving their new faith onto the monuments of the fallen?

Address: Kitajuku-255 Besshocho, Himeji, Hyogo 671-0223

Phone: 079-252-0227

Tatsuyama Stone Quarry Site

Address: 18 Tatsuyama, Takasago, Hyogo 676-0811

Phone: 079-448-8255

Daisen-ryo Kofun (Tomb of Emperor Nintoku)

Address: 1079-1 Daisencho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0035

Phone: 072-955-1115

Heijo Palace Site Historical Park

Address: 3 Chome-5-1 Nijoojiminami, Nara, 630-8012

Phone: 0742-36-8780

Site of Kunikyo (Ancient Capital)

Address: Mizogaito Kamocho Reihei, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-1106

Phone: 075-414-5903

Asuka-dera Temple

Address: 682 Asuka, Takaichi District, Nara 634-0103

Himeji Castle

Address: 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012

Phone: 079-285-1146

Fukiage Omiya Palace

Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0001

Phone: 03-3213-1111

National Diet Building

Address: 1-chome-7 Nagatacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0014

Sumitomo Building

Address: 4 Chome-5-33 Kitahama, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0041

Okaya Koki Nagoya Public Hall

Address: 1 Chome-1-3 Tsurumai, Showa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 466-0064

Phone: 052-731-7191