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. |
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Behind the main hall, a traditional Japanese dry landscape garden is located. The atmosphere of the garden is very calm. The garden was donated by KIRA Yoshihisa in 1690. In the west wide of the temple, "Mieido Hall" is located. There is a wooden statue of KIRA Yoshihisa in "Mieido Hall". |
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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. |
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How to get there
Other Historical Sites near by:
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