Kikuya Avenue in Hagi

Kikuya Avenue in Hagi

Hagi, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, used to be the capital of the Choshu Domain during the Edo Age (1603-1868) . The feudal lords of the Choshu Domain were fourteen generations of MORI Clan from 1600 to 1871. At the end of the Muromachi Age (1336-1573) , MORI Motonari (1497-1571) expanded his territory to the west Japan (present-day, Hiroshima, Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures).

At the battle of Sekigahara on September 15, 1600, which was the fateful battle between the Eastern and Western armies, MORI Terumoto (1553-1625) , grandson of MORI Motonari, became the commander in chief of the Western army against TOKUGAWA Ieyasu (1543-1616) . As the western army lost at the battle, the territory of MORI Terumoto was reduced one fourth, to the area of present-day Yamaguch Prefecture.

Hagi declined because Yamaguchi City became the seat of prefectural government of Yamaguchi prefecture after the Edo Age ended. As a result, Hagi still remains many buildings built in the Edo Age and also remains it's atmosphere as it was in the Edo Age.

Edoya Avenue and Kikuya Avenue are one of such historical districts in Hagi, where remain such atmosphere in the Edo Age.

Hedges and boarding fences line along "Edoya" Avenue. Residences of middle-class retainers of Mori Clan were located in this area.

The birthplace and the residence of KIDO Takayoshi (1833-1877) , his another name was KATSURA Kogoro, is also located along the "Edoya" Avenue.

At the end of the Edo Age, the Choshu Domain was the leading actor who overthrew the Edo Shogunate together with the Satsuma Domain. KIDO Takayoshi was in the prime minister position of the Choshu Domain.

The Kido family was basically in a middle-class retainer of Choshu Domain, but KIDO Takayoshi promoted because of his ability. The residence of KIDO Takayoshi was very frugal, considering his position at the Choshu Domain.

To the south of the residence of KIDO Takayoshi, the residence of AOKI Shusuke (1803-1864) is located.

AOKI Shusuke was a physician in ordinary to MORI Takachika (1819-1871) the thirteenth feudal lord of Choshu Domain. The residence of AOKI Shusuke was also frugal.

The map of Hagi in the Edo Age was displayed at the residence, shown in the above right picture. It is said that you will have no problems to walk around Hagi with a map in the Edo Age, because all the streets in Hagi remain from the Edo Age.

Flower arrangement for the alcove in a Japanese-style drawing room was very impressive.

Along the Kikuya Avenue, which is locate to the west of Edoya Avenue, mud walls with white clay line. This view looks like as it was in the Edo Age. You would not be surprised, if a "samurai" shows up on the avenue.

The residence of TAKASUGI Shinsaku (1839-1867) is located on the "Kikuya" Avenue.

TAKASUGI Shinsaku was also a key person in the Choshu Domain at the end of Edo Age. He died in 1867 by tuberculosis, when he was twenty-eight years old. If he would not be a retainer of Choshu Domain, Edo Shogunate would have not be overthrown.

After visiting the residence of TAKASUGI Shinsaku, I walk to the north on the "Kikuya" Avenue. Mud walls with white clay continue along the avenue.

At the end of the "Kikuya" avenue, there were huge warehouses covered with white cray. These warehouses are located within the grounds of "Kikuya" Residence.

The main entrance of the "Kikuya" Residence is located to the north. "Kikuya" was a wealthy merchant and a purveyor to the "Choshu" Domain.

"Kikuya" moved from Hiroshima to Hagi just after the battle at Sekigahara in 1600. The house buildings and warehouses were built in 1604 and remain up to now. These five buildings are designated as important properties of Japan.

Feudal lords of Choshu Domain often visited the "Kikuya" Residence to borrow some money. When feudal lords visited the "Kikuya", they were invited to the "Shoin", the reception room shown in the above picture and enjoyed the view of a garden.

How to get there
From Tokyo or Osaka, take a "Nozomi" bound for Hakata. Get off a Nozomi at Shin-Yamaguchi and take a bus to Hagi, the Meirin Center. Kikuya Avenue is located with in the walking distance.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Former Shokasonjyuku School
Horiuchi Historical District
Ruins of Hagi Castle
Hagi Hakkei Sightseeing Boat
Hiyako Historical District