Kuramadera Temple's Power Contributed Minamoto Yoshitsune to Winning the Genpei War
Kuramadera Temple, nestled deep in Mt. Kurama in the northern part of Kyoto, is renowned for its vortexes and the breathtaking natural beauty of trees that have grown over the years. Upon passing through the Niomon Gate, a meandering path guides visitors to the main hall. In the Heian period (794-1185), the esteemed female writer […]
Ninjas, Greatly Active regardless Day and Night on the Front Lines during the Warring State Period
Ninjas had mastered superhuman ninjutsu, the art of warfare. In times of peace, they would infiltrate enemy territory to gather information and engage in intrigue and reconnaissance, and in times of war, they would infiltrate enemy lines to commit arson and assassination. For the warlords of the Warring States Period (1467-1590), Ninjas were indispensable for […]
Hikone Castle, The life of Ii Naomasa, a Brave Warrior with Strong Diplomatic Skills
Hikone Castle, situated atop Mount Kinko along the shore of Lake Biwa, retains its stunning three-story structure, adorned with its white stucco exterior walls as it was in the past. The castle tower, a national treasure, showcases an elegant and rhythmical architectural style adorned with three types of gables: Kirizuma, Kara-hafu, and Iriomoya. Adding to […]
The standing original castle in Japan, the history of Inuyama Castle Lord, Narusa Masanari
Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure, stands on a small mountain overlooking the Kiso River, dating back to 1537. It holds among Japan's five castles designated a national treasure, including Himeji, Matsumoto, Hikone, Inuyama, and Matsue. The castle was constructed during the tumultuous Warring States period and a dizzying array of castle owners were changed due […]
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura, the birthplace of the Samurai government
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura was a cornerstone for the samurai, Minamoto Yoritomo, and his retainers in establishing the first Samurai government in Japan. Until then, the samurai’s mission was to protect the emperors by way of force, acting as a kind of police unit called Kebiishi. How was Yoritomo able to establish the first […]