Kira Area in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture

Kira Area in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture

Kira is located in the south middle of Aichi Prefecture, near Milkawa Bay. Now, Kira is a part of Nishio City. Kira was the territory of KIRA Clan from the middle age, in the "Muromachi" Age (1336 - 1573). KIRA Clan was one of the most important families of the Muromachi Bakufu, the central government of Japan in the "Muromachi" Age. It was said that KIRA Clan would succeed the Muromachi Shogunate if ASHIKAGA Shogunate died out.

The major event of KIRA Clan was the Ako Incident happened in 1701. In the morning of March 14, 1701, ASANO, Takuminokami, Naganori(1667 - 1701), who was the feudal lord of Ako Domain, suddenly attacked KIRA, Kozukenosuke, Yoshihisa(1641 - 1703), the head of Kira Clan. ASANO Naganori was ordered to perform "hara-kiri", suicide by disembowelment. Needless to say, KIRA Yoshihisa was innocent.

The administration of the justice was made by TOKUGAWA Tsunayoshi(1646 - 1709), the fifth "Shogun" in the "Edo" Age. However, the retainers of ASANO Nagayoshi lost their feudal lord and became "ronin", vagrants out of work. They complained the administration of the justice. On January 30, 1703, forty-seven former Ako retainers made the raid into the residence of KIRA Yoshihisa and assassinated him.

Please refer the page of "Sengakuji Temple" in Tokyo for more detailed description of Ako Incident.
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kanto/Sengakuji_E.html

This page shares the information of historical landmarks in Kira.

Kezoji Temple

Kezoji Temple is the family temple of KIRA Clan. It is located in the east part of Nishio City.

Kezoji Temple was founded in 1600. The main hall of Kezoji Temple is located on a small hill. The architecture of the main hall is very simple.

Unfortunately, the picture was not clear, but the wooden statue was beautifully colored. It is said that it was colored by KIRA Yoshihisa.

As described above, he was assassinated when he was sixty-two years old. After the Ako Incident, forty-seven former Ako retainers were praised by the people in the "Edo" Age. The Ako incident was played at "Kabuki" and had good reputations. forty-seven former Ako retainers became heroes at "Kabuki" Play. As a result, KIRA Yoshihisa was placed in the position of the villain.

KIRA Yoshihisa governed Kira Feudal Domain well. He has good reputation by the people in Kira Area, even right now.

There are a couple of graves of KIRA Clan in the temple. The below left picture shows the grave of KIRA Yoshihisa. KIRA Yoshihisa governed the Kira Feudal Domain well and praised by the people in Kira Feudal Domain.

The above right picture shows the grave of KIRA Yoshichika(1686 - 1706), who was a grandson of KIRA Yoshihisa. KIRA Yoshichika died when he was twenty-one years old. KIRA Caln was ruined.

There is a "Kyozo" Hall in the temple, shown in the above picture. It was donated by KIRA Yoshihisa in 1700. In the temple, you will see achievements of KIRA Yoshihisa.

"Kogane Tsutsumi", Golden Bank

Approximately 1.5 kilometers to the northeast from Kezoji Temple, "Kogane Tsutsumi" is located. "Kogane Tsutsumi", in Japanese means a golden bank. It is said that the bank was made by KIRA Yoshihisa.

The length of the bank is approximately two hundred meters and the height is three meters.

A stone monument on the bank is very impressive.

To the north of the bank, the Yahagi River flows. It used to often cause floods and damaged houses and rice fields in Kira Area. The bank protects Kira area from flooding of the Yahagi River.

The place where the "Kogane" Bank is located, used to be backmarsh of the Yahagi River and named "Yoroigafuchi". In the late sixteenth century, TOKOGAWA Ieyasu(1543 - 1616), who was the first "Shogun" in the Edo Age, had a battle with KIRA Clan had a battle at this place. The TOKUGAWA Army was forced to retreat to this place and many lost their lives at the marsh.

The memorial monument of this battle is located at the "Kogane" Bank.

Konrenji Temple

To the south from Kira area, Konrenji Temple is located.

The temple was founded by ADACHI Morinaga(1135 - 1200), who was the "Mikawa Shugo", military governor of Mikawa Province, in 1186 with following the order of MINAMOTO-No Yoritomo(1147 - 1199). MINAMOTO-No Yoritomo was the first Shogun in the "Kamakura" Age(1185 - 1333).

Please refer the page of "Tsurugaoka-Hachiman-Gu Shrine" for more detailed description of Kamakura Age.
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kanto/Tsurugaoka_E.html

In the temple, a historical hall is located. The hall is named "Amitabha Hall". Tradition says "Amitabha Hall" was built by ADACHI Morinaga. Recently, the hall was disassembled and repaired. An academic investigation was also conducted. It proofed that the hall was built in the middle of the "Kamakura" Age.

The architecture of the hall is simple, but it has very dignified atmosphere.

"Amitabha Hall" is the oldest building in Aichi Prefecture and it is designated as a national treasure of Japan. In Aichi Prefecture, only three buildings are designated as national treasures.

The ruins of Tojyo Castle

In 1222, ASHIKAGA Yoshiuji(1189 - 1255) was appointed as the "Mikawa Shugo", military governor of Mikawa Province. ASHIKAGA Yoshiuji divided the Kira Area in to the east part and the west part. ASHIKAGA Yoshiuji assign ASHIKAGA Yoshitsugu(? - ?), the third son of ASHIKAGA Yoshiuji as the lord of the east part of Kira Area.

ASHIKAGA Yoshiuji's decision generated family quarrels between the east KIRA Clan and the west KIRA Clan. Tojyo Castle was the base of the east KIRA Clan in the middle age.

The main bailey of Tojyo Castle has been restored as it was in the middle age. The gate and the watch tower of the castle were rebuilt.

The atmosphere of the castle is as if you are in the middle age of Japan. In the main bailey, the castle monument is located.

The below picture shows the view from the main bailey to the south. In 1561, TOKOGAWA Ieyasu(1543 - 1616) attached Tojyo Castle and Tojyo Castle fell. At this battle, TOKUGAWA Army approached Tojyo Castle from this direction.

Now, the atmosphere of the ruins of Tojyo Castle is very peaceful. When I visited in April, cherry blossoms were almost fully blooming. Many people were there to enjoy cherry blossoms.