Matsushiro Castle Town in Nagano

Matsushiro Castle Town, Nagano

Matsushiro is a town in Nagano City. It used to be the capital of Matsushiro Feudal Domain in the "Edo" Age (1603 - 1868). To the south-east from the ruins of Matsushiro Castle, Matsushiro Town is located.

Please refer the page of "Ruins of Matsushiro Castle" in Nagano
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/MatsushiroCastle_E.html

Downtown Matsushiro

To the south of Matsushiro Castle, there used to be a train line. You will see Matsushiro Station from the ruins of Matsushiro Castle. The train line was unfortunately abandoned in 2012.

To the south from the site of Matsushiro Station, downtown Matsushiro is located. OYAMADA Residence is located at the north end of downtown Matsushiro.

OYAMADA Clan was a chief retainer of Matsushiro Feudal Domain.

If you walk to the south-west from OYAMADA Residence, the atmosphere of the street changes as if you are in the "Edo" Age.

SANADA Residence is located on the right side of the above picture and the site of the Matsushiro Literary and Military Arts School, School of Matsushiro Feudal Domain, is located on the left side of the above picture.

SANADA Residence was built in 1864 by SANADA Yukinori (1836 - 1869), who was the last feudal lord of Matsushiro Feudal Domain, for his mother. Later, the residence was used as the second house of SANADA Yukinori.

The gate in front of the residence had very intense atmosphere. It looks like a government office of a feudal domain. You will see lanterns on the both sides of the entrance. The six circles on the lanterns shows six coins, which were toll to Hades and were the family crest of SANADA Clan. The crest of six-coins meant SANADA Clan fought terrific battles with expectation to die, and without fear.

Compared with the entrance, the main residence building is rather simple.

On the other side of the street from SANADA Residence, the site of the Matsushiro Literary and Military Arts School is located. It was built in 1855. It was three years after Commodore Matthew C. Perry of United States came to Japan in order to open Japan. During the "Edo" Age, Japan had closed the country except the trades with Netherlands and China. The visit of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, the arguments of expulsion of foreigners versus of opening diplomatic relations with foreign countries generated. Also, many feudal domains gave the priority to education in order to catch up western countries and to assert against them.

The Matsushiro Literary and Military Arts School had medical science curriculums and western military science curriculums in addition to Japanese traditional Martial arts.

To the south from the site of Matsushiro Literary and Military Arts School, the sites of "Samurai residences" were located. The below picture shows the main gate of SHIRAI residence.

Matsushiro is a small town. Historical district in Matsushiro Town is located within downtown Matsushiro. Matsushiro is very nice town to walk around and to touch with an old age of Japan.

Daihoji Temple

Daihoji Temple is located three kilometers north from Downtown Matsushiro. Daihoji Temple is the family temple of SANADA Clan, who were the feudal lord of Matsushiro Domain during the Edo Age. The mausoleum of SANADA Nobuyuki(1566 - 1658), who was the first generation of SANADA feudal lord of Matsushiro is located in Daihoji Temple.

When I visited the temple, the chief priest of Daishoji Temple mad a small fallen-leaves fire. The atmosphere of the temple is very calm and peaceful.

SANADA Nobuyuki retired from the feudal domain lord in 1656 and lived in this place. After SANADA Nobuyuki died, his house after retirement became a temple to pray for the repose of his soul.

The mausoleum of SANADA Nobuyuki is covered by walls. The main gate of the mausoleum is solemn and imposing.