Kochi-shi (高知市) is the capital city of Kochi Prefecture (高知県) on Shikoku Island (四国) of Japan.  Kochi is the main city of the prefecture with over 40% of its population.  As of March 1, 2011, the city had an estimated population of 340,515 and a density of 1,100 per square kilometre (2,800 /sq mi).  The total area is 309.22 square kilometers (119.39 sq mi).  A symbol of the city is its most famous dish, katsuo tataki (かつおのたたき; lightly roasted bonito served with grated radish).
  The river plain now containing the city center was originally settled as a castle town around the seat of the lords of Tosa Province (土佐の国), Kochi Castle (高知城).  The castle site was chosen by Lord Kazutoyo Yamauchi (山内一豊) in 1601.  The city takes its name from that of the castle.  As the center of administration for the province, and the prefecture which succeeded it, the town rapidly grew to become the largest settlement of the region.  During the time of the Meiji Restoration (明治維新), Kochi became famous as a center of pro-imperial ideology, and later for incubating democratic and human rights movements.
  The city was incorporated on April 1, 1889.  Tram service began in the city on May 2, 1904, and the city was connected to the national rail network on November 12, 1951.  On April 1, 1998, the city was designated as the first core city in Shikoku.  On January 1, 2005 the villages of Kagami (鏡村) and Tosayama (土佐山村), both from Tosa County (土佐郡), merged with the city, and on January 1, 2008 the town of Haruno (春野町) from Agawa County (吾川郡) also merged with the city.  (Main Reference: the Site of "Wikipedia")
  

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JR Kochi Station

JR Kochi Station (JR高知駅) is a station on JR Dosan Line (土讃線) of the Shikoku District. The address is 2-1-10 Sakaeda-cho, Kochi City (高知市栄田町二丁目1-10). The present station building was built in February 26, 2008 (平成20年). Nearby Kochi-Ekimae Dentei Station (高知駅前駅) of Tosa Electric Railway Co., Ltd (土佐電気鉄道株式会社) leads you to the city center, etc.

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(Monday 21 March) JR Kochi Station, 2-1-10 Sakaeda-cho, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Information board featuring an old town map of Kochi in the Edo Period and the life-sized pictures of Ryoma Sakamoto (坂本龍馬, 1836-1867) and his wife O-Ryo (お龍; Ryo Narasaki [楢崎 龍], 1841-1906) in JR Kochi Station, Kochi City. They are big symbols for Kochi's touring industry. Ryoma Sakamoto (坂本 龍馬, January 3, 1836 - December 10, 1867) was a leader of the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate Government during the Bakumatsu Period in Japan. Ryoma used the alias Umetaro Saidani (才谷 梅太郎), etc. Sakamoto was born in Kochi, of Tosa Province (now Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku) in 1836 (天保6年). His family in previous generations had acquired enough wealth as sake brewers to purchase the rank of merchant samurai, which was the lowest rank in the samurai social hierarchy. After he was bullied at school, Otome (乙女), his influential older sister enrolled him in a fencing school. By the time he reached adulthood he was a master swordsman. In 1853 (嘉永6年), he was in Edo [now Tokyo] as a disciple of Sadakichi Chiba (千葉 定吉), a master swordsman of the Hokushin Itto-ryu style (北辰一刀流) of kenjutsu when Commodore Matthew C. Perry (1794-1858) of the United States arrived with a fleet of black steamships to force Japan out of its centuries-old national isolation policy. Sakamoto was drawn to patriotic elements within the samurai-class who supported the Sonno-Joi (尊王攘夷; ‘Revere the Emperor and Expel the Barbarians’) political philosophy. He was recruited into an anti-Tokugawa, pro-Emperor party called the Tosa Loyalist Party (土佐勤王党) within the Tosa domain by Hampeita Takechi (武市 半平太), but was forced to flee into exile as a ronin (浪人; a masterless samurai) when their plot to seize control of the domain was revealed. While a ronin, Sakamoto decided to assassinate Kaishu Katsu (勝 海舟), a high-ranking official in the Tokugawa Shogunate and a supporter of both modernization and westernization. However, Katsu persuaded Sakamoto of the necessity of a long-term plan to increase Japan’s military strength. Instead of killing Katsu, Sakamoto started working as his assistant and protege. In 1864 (元治元年), as the Tokugawa Shogunate started taking a hard line, Sakamoto fled to Kagoshima (鹿児島) in Satsuma domain, which was developing as a major center for the anti-Tokugawa movement. Sakamoto negotiated the secret alliance between Choshu (長州; now Yamaguchi) and Satsuma (薩摩) provinces. Satsuma and Choshu historically had been absolute enemies, and Sakamoto's position as a "neutral outsider" was critical in bridging the gap in trust. Sakamoto is often regarded as the "father of the Imperial Japanese Navy," as he worked under Katsu's direction toward creating a modern naval force (with the aid of western powers) to enable Satsuma and Choshu to hold their own against the naval forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Sakamoto founded the private navy and trading company Kameyama-Shachu (亀山社中) in Nagasaki City by the help of Satsuma. Later Kameyama-Shachu became "Kaientai" (海援隊) or literally the Ocean Support Fleet. Choshu’s subsequent victory over the Tokugawa army in 1866 (慶応2年) and the impending collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate made Sakamoto a valuable commodity to his former masters in Tosa. Ryoma was recalled to Kochi with honors. The Tosa domain was anxious to obtain a negotiated settlement between the Shogun and the Emperor, which would prevent the powerful Saccho Alliance (薩長同盟) from overthrowing the Tokugawa by force and thus emerging as a new dominant force in ruling Japan. Ryoma played a crucial role in the subsequent negotiations that led to the voluntary resignation of the Shogun Yoshinobu Tokugawa (徳川 慶喜) in 1867 (慶応3年), thus bringing about the Meiji Restoration (明治維新). Sakamoto was assassinated at the age of 33 (according to the old lunar calendar he was born on 15 November 1835 [天保6年] and killed on his birthday in 1867 [慶応3年]) at the Omi-ya inn (近江屋) in Kyoto, not long before the Meiji Restoration took place. Initial reports accused members of the Shinsengumi (新撰組) for Sakamoto and Shintaro Nakaoka(中岡 慎太郎)'s deaths (and Shinsengumi leader Isami Kondo [近藤 勇] was allegedly executed on that pretense), but another pro-Shogun group, the Kyoto-Mimawari-gumi (京都見廻組)'s Nobuo Imai (今井信郎) confessed to the murder in 1870. Although Tadasaburo Sasaki (佐々木 只三郎) and Imai carry the blame, the true assassin has never been proven in a court of law. However, he received posthumous title of the fourth rank in the hierarchy of the government (贈正四位) on April 8, 1891 (明治24年). Sakamoto was a visionary who envisioned a Japan without any feudal trappings. He read about and was inspired by the example of the United States where "all men are created equal." He realized that in order to compete with an industrially and technologically advanced outside world, the Japanese people needed to modernize. He was also seen as an interesting anomaly in his preference for traditional samurai dress, while favoring western footwear. He gained a national immortal popularity after Ryotaro Shiba (司馬 遼太郎) wrote a historical novel Ryoma ga Yuku (『竜馬がゆく』: lit. “Ryoma Moves Ahead”) between 1962-1966 (昭和37-41年). On 15 November 2003 (平成15年), the Kochi Airport (高知空港) was renamed to the Kochi Ryoma Airport (高知龍馬空港) in his honor. There is a Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum (坂本龍馬記念館) in Kochi. On 15 November 2009, Hokkaido Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum (北海道坂本龍馬記念館) was built in Hakodate (函館), Hokkaido. Asteroid 2835 Ryoma is named after him. Asteroid 5823 O-Ryo is named after his wife. (Main Reference: The Site of "Wikipedia")

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(Monday 21 March) Information board featuring an old town map of Kochi in the Edo Period and the life-sized pictures of Ryoma Sakamoto (坂本龍馬, 1836-1867) and his wife O-Ryo (お龍; Ryo Narasaki [楢崎 龍], 1841-1906) in JR Kochi Station, Kochi City

Katsurahama

Katsurahama (桂浜) is a scenic seashore located in Urado (浦戸) c. 10 km south of JR Kochi Station: It takes about 30 minutes by bus. It is one of the most popular touring spots in Kochi, although you are not allowed to bathe in the sea here because the tide runs strong and many reckless people have been drowned. Now it is famous for the statue of Ryuma Sakamoto (see below).

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(Monday 21 March) Welcome Board of Katsurahama, Urado, Kochi City: It says "Katsuramaha famous for the moon viewing and Ryoma Sakamoto."

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(Monday 21 March) Tosa-Token Center (土佐闘犬センター; Tosa Dogfighting Center), Urado, Kochi City. Tosa [the old name of Kochi] is famous for dogfighting in Japan.

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(Monday 21 March) Plaque of the statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, Urado, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The statue of Ryoma Sakamoto (坂本龍馬像, 13.5 m high, made in 1928 [昭和3年]) at the Ryuto Point (竜頭岬), Urado, Kochi City. His eyes are turned upon America across the Pacific Ocean. Sakamoto longed for America as he met John Manjiro (ジョン万次郎; or Manjiro Nakahama; 中濱 萬次郎, 1827-1898) of Nakahama, Tosa, who was one of the first Japanese people to visit the United States and an important translator during the Opening of Japan in 1850s.

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(Monday 21 March) The statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Katsurahama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Ryori-ryokan Fukumimi (料理旅館 冨久美味), 12-2 Katsurahama, Kochi City (高知市桂浜12-2)

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(Monday 21 March) My lunch "Katsuo no Tataki" (鰹のタタキ; lightly roasted bonito served with grated radish), Ryori-ryokan Fukumimi, 12-2 Katsurahama, Kochi City. This is the famous local cuisine.

The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum

The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum (高知県立坂本龍馬記念館) is located in Katsurahama. This prefectural museum's address is: 830 Urado-Shiroyama, Kochi City (高知市浦戸城山830番地).

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(Monday 21 March) The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, 830 Urado-Shiroyama, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, 830 Urado-Shiroyama, Kochi City: Some statueso of Ryoma Sakamoto

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(Monday 21 March) The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, 830 Urado-Shiroyama, Kochi City: Statue of Ryoma Sakamoto (probably a replica of the above Katsurahama statue)

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(Monday 21 March) The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, 830 Urado-Shiroyama, Kochi City: Ad for the special exhibition of Torataro Yoshimura (吉村虎太郎, 1837-1863)

Birthplace of Ryoma Sakamoto

Birthplace of Ryoma Sakamoto (坂本龍馬誕生地) is located at 1 Kami-machi, Kochi City (高知市上町１丁目) in front of Kamimachi Hospital (上町病院). This place was formerly called 1-chome Honcho-suji, Kochi-joka (高知城下本丁筋１丁目) in Sakamoto's time. Sakamoto was born here on January 3, 1836 (天保6年11月15日).

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(Monday 21 March) Birthplace of Ryoma Sakamoto, 1 Kami-machi, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Birthplace of Ryoma Sakamoto, 1 Kami-machi, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) A memorial bench at the Birthplace of Ryoma Sakamoto, 1 Kami-machi, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Portrait of Ryoma Sakamoto of the memorial bench at the Birthplace of Ryoma Sakamoto, 1 Kami-machi, Kochi City

Ryoma's Hometown Museum

Ryoma's Hometown Museum (龍馬の生まれたまち記念館) is located near his birthplace at 2-6-33 Kami-machi, Kochi City (高知市上町2丁目6-33). This city museum was founded in March 2004. Currently you are permitted to take photos inside freely.

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(Monday 21 March) Ryoma's Hometown Museum, 2-6-33 Kami-machi, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, Ryoma's Hometown Museum, 2-6-33 Kami-machi, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, Ryoma's Hometown Museum, 2-6-33 Kami-machi, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Courtesy of Ryoma's Hometown Museum, 2-6-33 Kami-machi, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Courtesy of Ryoma's Hometown Museum, 2-6-33 Kami-machi, Kochi City: Ryoma and his wife O-Ryo

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(Monday 21 March) Courtesy of Ryoma's Hometown Museum, 2-6-33 Kami-machi, Kochi City: Ryoma and his wife O-Ryo

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(Monday 21 March) Another statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, Ryoma's Hometown Museum, 2-6-33 Kami-machi, Kochi City

Deathplace of Zuizan Takechi

Deathplace of Zuizan [Hanpeita] Takechi (武市[半平太]瑞山, 1829-1865), 2-5-18 Obiya-machi, Kochi City (高知市帯屋町2丁目5−18). This is the place where he had seppuku (切腹; honorable suicide by disembowelment) at the command of Yodo Yamauchi on July 3, 1865 (慶応元年). Born in a low-ranked samurai house Takechi was a relative to Ryoma Sakamoto. In 1861 (文久元年), he founded the Tosa Loyalist Party (土佐勤王党) which had an influential power over the Tosa clan for time. In Kyoto he masterminded many of the tenchu (天誅; heaven's revenge) attacks between 1862 and 1864. However, Yodo suspected him of controling the influential politician Toyo Yoshida (吉田東洋, 1816-1862)’s assassination and slowly drew the increasingly arrogant Takechi into the snare. Takechi was subsequently arrested and forced to commit seppuku. See also the pic kyc2010-119 of the Kyoto City Central page.

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(Monday 21 March) Deathplace of Zuizan [Hanpeita] Takechi (武市[半平太]瑞山, 1829-1865), 2-5-18 Obiya-machi, Kochi City

Kochi Castle

Kochi Castle (高知城) is castle located in the city center of Kochi City, which was owned by the Yamauchi clan (山内家) between 1611 (慶長16年) to 1868 (明治元年). Following the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原の戦い) in 1600 (慶長5年), Kochi Castle was constructed in what was then the province of Tosa. It was built by Kazutoyo Yamanouchi (山内 一豊), who took control of the province after the Tokugawa victory. The castle was constructed as part of the move from Urado (浦戸) to the more defensible Otakasa (大高坂; alt. Odakasa) area. Construction was begun in 1601 (慶長6年) and was completed in 1611 (慶長16年). Much of the original fortress burned down in 1727 (享保12年); it was reconstructed between 1729 (享保14年) and 1753 (宝暦3年) in the original style. The castle underwent major restoration from 1948 (昭和23年) to 1959 (昭和34年). Though no battles were fought at the castle, it is noteworthy because the castle is the original structure, and not a post-war replica. It is also the only castle in Japan to retain both its original tenshu, or keep, and its palace. In fact, it is the only castle to have all the original buildings in the hon-maru (本丸; donjon), or innermost ring of defense, still standing. (Main Reference: The Site of "Wikipedia")

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(Monday 21 March) Signpost of National Treasure Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Ote-mon Gate (追手門), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Tsume-mon Gate (詰門), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Inside the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Inside the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Inside the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Inside the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Inside the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Inside the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Inside the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City: the rlong overgarment used for the 45th NHK Taiga drama "Komyo-ga-Tsuji" (『功名が辻』2006)

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(Monday 21 March) The tiled roof of the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The tiled roof of the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The tiled roof of the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The tiled roof of the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle: One golden dolphin (金の鯱) on the top of the castle roof

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(Monday 21 March) The tiled roof of the "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Kochi Castle: The other golden dolphin (金の鯱) on the top of the castle roof

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(Monday 21 March) A view from the donjon of Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The stone wall of Kochi Castle, Kochi City

"Komyo-ga-Tsuji"

"Komyo-ga-Tsuji" (功名が辻; lit. a crossing of the great achievement) is the title of the 45th NHK Taiga drama "Komyo-ga-Tsuji" (『功名が辻』2006). The drama features the couple of Kazutoyo Yamauchi (山内一豊, 1545-1605) and his beloved wife Kensho-in (見性院, 1557-1617) widely known as Chiyo (千代). The couple is famous for Chiyo's "naijo-no-ko" (内助の功; the assistance of the wife). It is the story of how Kazutoyo became the lord of Tosa with his wife's devoted assistance. See also the pics ggj2009-036, ggj2009-038, ggj2009-039 and ggj2009-040 of the Gujo-Hachiman page.

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(Monday 21 March) The picture of "Komyo-ga-Tsuji" (功名が辻), Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The statue of Chiyo and her husband's fine horse "Kagami-Kurige" (鏡栗毛), Kochi Castle. When Kazutoyo was still a retainer of Nobunaga Oda (織田信長), a merchant came to sell an excellent horse from East Japan. It was too expensive for everybody to buy it. Going home Kazutoyo told Chiyo about it with a sigh. However, knowing it was a good chance, Chiyo unsparingly gave him her large dowry which was secretly kept in time of need. in time of need He could succeed to buy the horse with the money so that he could attend the military parade proudly riding on the horseback, which caught Nobunaga's eye. It was just the beginning of the couple's successful career.

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(Monday 21 March) The statue of Chiyo and her husband's fine horse "Kagami-Kurige" (鏡栗毛), Kochi Castle

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(Monday 21 March) Part of the statue of Chiyo and her husband's fine horse "Kagami-Kurige" (鏡栗毛), Kochi Castle

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(Monday 21 March) The equestrian statue of Kazutoyo Yamauchi near Kochi Castle, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The equestrian statue of Kazutoyo Yamauchi near Kochi Castle, Kochi City

Birthplace of Yodo Yamauchi

Birthplace of the 15th (last) lord Yodo Yamauchi (山内 容堂, 1827-1872; r1849-1859), 2 Otesuji, Kochi City (高知市追手筋2丁目); 4 minutes' walk from the castle. He was one of the Four Wise Lords (四賢侯) in the last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate together with Shungaku Matsudaira (松平春嶽) of the Fukui clan (福井藩), Munenori Date (伊達宗城) of the Uwagima clan (宇和島藩) and Nariakira Shimazu (島津斉彬) of the Satsuma clan (薩摩藩).

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(Monday 21 March) Birthplace of the 15th (last) lord Yodo Yamauchi (1827-1872; r.1849-1859), 2 Otesuji, Kochi City

Gotai-san Chikurin-ji Temple

Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple (五台山金色院竹林寺) is located at the hill of Gotai-san (五台山, 146 m high): The address is 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City (高知市五台山3577). It belongs to Shingon-shu-Chisan-ha (真言宗智山派) sect of Buddhism. It was reportedly founded by Gyoki (行基, 668-749 CE) in 724 (神亀元年). It enshrines the image of "Monju-bosatsu" (文殊菩薩; Skt. MaJjuzrii). As legend tells Kukai (空海) or Kobo-daishi (弘法大師) practiced at this temple in the Daido Era (大同年間) between 806 and 810 CE.. This is the 31st amulet-issuing temple (第三十一番札所) of the Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路) or Shikoku Henro of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo-daishi) on the island of Shikoku, Japan. A popular and distinctive feature of the island's cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims (known as henro (遍路) still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic, pious, and tourism-related purposes. In addition to the 88 "official" temples of the pilgrimage, there are over 200 bangai -- temples not considered part of the official 88. To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order; in some cases it is even considered lucky to travel in reverse order. The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1,200 km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. "Henro" (遍路) is the Japanese word for pilgrim, and the inhabitants of Shikoku call the pilgrims o-henro-san (お遍路さん), the "o" (お) being an honorific and the "san" (さん) a title similar to "Mr.". They are often recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and kongg-tsue (金剛杖) or walking sticks. Alms or osettai (お接待) are frequently given. Many pilgrims begin and complete the journey by visiting Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, which was settled by Kukai and remains the headquarters of the Shingon-shu (真言宗) sect of Buddhism. The 21 km walking trail up to Koya-san still exists, but most pilgrims use the train. (Main Reference: The Site of "Wikipedia")

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(Monday 21 March) Statue of Kobo-daishi (弘法大師) in front of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Information board of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Stone steps to Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) San-mon Gate (山門) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) One deva statue of San-mon Gate (山門) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The other deva statue of San-mon Gate (山門) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) San-mon Gate (山門) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Some Buddhist sculptures of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Stone steps to the main hall, etc. of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Daishi-do Hall (大師堂) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Daishi-do Hall (大師堂) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Six Jizo statues of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Hon-do (本堂; the main hall, built in 1644) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City: under construction

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(Monday 21 March) Hon-do (本堂; the main hall) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Hon-do (本堂; the main hall) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Seated Statue of "Binzuru" (賓頭盧; Skt. Pindola Bharadvaja) by the Hon-do (本堂; the main hall) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Some Buddhist sculptures of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Funaoka-do Hall (船岡堂) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Funaoka-do Hall (船岡堂) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Funaoka-do Hall (船岡堂) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Funaoka-do Hall (船岡堂) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Gojyu-no-to" (五重塔; the Five-storied Pagoda, rebuilt in 1980) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Gojyu-no-to" (五重塔; the Five-storied Pagoda) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Gojyu-no-to" (五重塔; the Five-storied Pagoda) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Gojyu-no-to" (五重塔; the Five-storied Pagoda) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Gojyu-no-to" (五重塔; the Five-storied Pagoda) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Gojyu-no-to" (五重塔; the Five-storied Pagoda) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Gojyu-no-to" (五重塔; the Five-storied Pagoda) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Hitokoto-Jizo-son" (一言地蔵尊; Jizo of One-word [prayer]), Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City. This Jizo will grant your one-word wish equally to fulfill as many people's wishes as possible.

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(Monday 21 March) "Hitokoto-Jizo-son" (一言地蔵尊; Jizo of One-word [prayer]), Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "O-Henro-san" (お遍路さん) or the pilgrimages in Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Honbo" (本坊; the residence), Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) "Honbo" (本坊; the residence), Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The garden of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City. It was made by the famous Zen monk Muso-kokushi (夢窓国師) around 1318 (文保2年).

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(Monday 21 March) The garden of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The garden of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) The garden of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple, 3577 Gotaisan, Kochi City

Harimaya-bashi Bridge

Harimaya-bashi Bridge (播磨屋橋; はりまや橋) is 20-m girder bridge (桁橋) formerly across the Hori-kawa River (堀川) located in the city center of Kochi City. The bridge was originally made for two big home offices, Harima-ya (播磨屋) and Hitsu-ya (櫃屋) which were located across the Hori-kawa River during the Edo Period. This bridge is famous for the song "Yosakoi-bushi" (よさこい節) featuring the tragic love between the monk Jyunshin (純信, 1819-1888) of Gotai-san Konjiki-in Chikurin-ji Temple and his 20-year-younger lover O-Uma (お馬; 大野馬) of "Ikake-ya" (鋳掛け屋; a tinker). "Yosakoi" is a variation of the archaic word "Yosarikoi" (夜さり来い) which means "Come in at night" and "bushi" is a rhyme or tune. However, the Hori-kawa River was filled up in 1960s due to the city renovation and the subsequent water pollution.

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(Monday 21 March) Signpost of Harimaya-bashi Bridge, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Harimaya-bashi Bridge, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Harimaya-bashi Bridge, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Harimaya-bashi Bridge, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Harimaya-bashi Bridge, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) Harimaya-bashi Bridge, Kochi City

Kutsurogi-no-Sato Shoya

Kutsurogi-no-Sato Shoya JR Kochi-Eki Branch (くつろぎの里 庄や JR高知駅店) is located at 2-1-20 Sakaeda-cho, Kochi City as part of the station building. It is a chained izaka-ya over Japan.

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(Monday 21 March) Kutsurogi-no-Sato Shoya JR Kochi-Eki Branch, 2-1-20 Sakaeda-cho, Kochi City

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(Monday 21 March) My dinner at Kutsurogi-no-Sato Shoya JR Kochi-Eki Branch, 2-1-20 Sakaeda-cho, Kochi City. Again, I ate the local cuisine, "Katsuo no Tataki" (鰹のタタキ; lightly roasted bonito served with grated radish).

        

Copyright (c) 2011 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.