Sakai City (堺市) is a city in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It has been one of the largest and most important seaports of Japan since the Medieval era.  Following the February 2005 annexation of the town of Mihara (美原町), from Minamikawachi County (南河内郡), the city has grown further and is now the fourteenth most populous city in Japan, with 838,485 residents as of March 1, 2010.
  The current city was legally founded on April 1, 1889 according to the laws of Imperial Japan.  Sakai became a designated city in April 2006 giving it a greater measure of self-determination in governmental affairs.  It is divided into seven districts.  With a population of over 800,000, it is the largest suburb of Osaka City and the fourteenth-largest city in Japan.  
  Sakai is known for its keyhole-shaped burial mounds, or kofun (古墳), which date from the 5th century.  The largest of these, Daisen-ryo Kofun (大仙陵古墳), is believed to be the grave of the Emperor Nintoku (仁徳天皇) and is the largest grave in the world by area.  Once known for samurai swords, Sakai is now famous for the quality of its kitchen knives; most high-quality Japanese cutlery originates in Sakai, and its production is a major industry in the city.
  In the Muromachi Period Sakai was one of richest cities in Japan.  Sakai is located on the edge of Osaka Bay and at the mouth of the Yamato River (大和川), which connected the Yamato Province (大和国; now Nara Prefecture) to the sea.  Sakai thus helped to connect foreign trade with inland trade.
  Sakai was an autonomous city run by merchant citizens.  In those days it was said that the richest cities were Umi no Sakai, Riku no Imai (tr. "along the sea, Sakai; inlands, Imai"; The latter is now a part of Kashihara [橿原], Nara). The famous Zen Buddhist priest Ikkyu (一休) chose to live in Sakai because of its free atmosphere.  In the Sengoku Period (the Turbulent Age) some Christian priests, including St. Francis Xavier in 1550, visited Sakai and documented its prosperity.
  After the coming of Europeans Sakai became a manufacturing base of firearms, and a powerful daimyo, Nobunaga Oda (織田信長), was one of their important customers.  During his ambitious attempt to unify Japan, Nobunaga attempted to take the autonomy privilege from Sakai.  Sakai's citizens denied his order and pitched a desperate battle against his army.  Most citizens fled; Sakai was burned and seized by Nobunaga.  After the death of Nobunaga, one of his men, Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣秀吉), seized power.   Sakai became a prosperous city again under his reign.
  Rikyu Senno (千利休), known as the greatest master of the tea ceremony, was originally a merchant of Sakai.  Because of the close relationship between the tea ceremony and Zen Buddhism, and because of the prosperity of its citizens, Sakai was one of the main centers of the tea ceremony in Japan.
  Sakai was still an important trade center during the Edo Period but was involved only in inland trade due to the national isolation policy of the Tokugawa government.  At the end of this era Westerners again landed in Sakai, but it resulted in a tragic incident, because the Japanese citizenry and the foreigners were ignorant of each others' ways.  French sailors from the Dupleix and Sakai citizens clashed; some French were killed, and subsequently the Japanese responsible for these deaths were sentenced to death by seppuku in 1868.  This incident is called the Sakai Incident (堺事件).  In modern times, Sakai is an industrial city with a large port.   As such, its western area suffered widespread damage from bombing raids during the Second World War.  It is now known for its knives and is the home of Shimano bicycle parts (株式会社シマノ).  (Referred to the site of "Wikipedia.")
  
  

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Hankai Tramway

Hankai Tramway (阪堺電気軌道) runs between Osaka City and Sakai City in two lines: Hankai-Line (阪堺線, 14.1 km) and Uemachi-Line (上町線, 4.6 km). Hankai Tramway Co., Ltd is a subsidiary company of Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. It is a very convenient line between Namba Station (難波駅) and Sakai City. However, this tram line is in danger of destabilization due to recent falloff of the number of users.

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(Monday 15 March) A Hankai Tram calling at Hanataguchi (花田口)

Xavier Park

Xavier Park (ザビエル公園) is located at 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区櫛屋町西1丁). It is of course dedicated to St. Francis Xavier [Francisco Javier, 1506-1552]. The park was constructed in the 400th anniversary of Xavier's coming to Japan in 1949 (昭和24年) at the site of the mansion of Hibiya-Ryoukei (日比屋了慶), a powerful Christian trader who welcomed Xavier here in December 1550 (天文19年) and built a church for the Portuguese Jesuit Priest Gaspar Vilela (1525?-1572) in 1561 (永禄4年) to help his missionary work in Kyoto. In Sakai Festival (堺まつり) in every October, the park is full of visitors as the site of the Southern European Bazaar (なんばん市会場). For further information of St. Francis Xavier [Francisco Javier, 1506-1552], 1. go to the "Juan Goto and Crypto-Christians" page. 2. go to the "Shimonoseki City" page. 3. go to the "Yamaguchi City" page. 4. go to the "Hioki City" page. 5. go to the "Kagoshima City" page. 6. go to the "Nagasaki City" page. 7. go to the "Oita City" page.

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(Monday 15 March) Information board of Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) A monument, Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) The monument of the introduction of guns [precisely, matchlocks or muskets] to Sakai (c. 1543), Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Cross-shaped clock, Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Cross-shaped clock, Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Sculpture titled "Encontro Oriente-Ocidente" (「東と西の接点」) by Jorge Vieira (1969), Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Sculpture titled "Encontro Oriente-Ocidente" (「東と西の接点」) by Jorge Vieira (1969), Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Monument of the "Achievements of St. Francis Xavier" (「聖フランシスコ・ザヴィエル芳躅」), Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Inscription of the Monument of the "Achievements of St. Francis Xavier" (「聖フランシスコ・ザヴィエル芳躅」), Xavier Park, 1 Kushiyacho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

Sugawara-jinjya Shrine (菅原神社), also knownas "Sakai Tenjin" (堺天神), is located at 2-1-38 Ebisuno-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区戎之町東二丁1-38). It enshrines Michizane Sugawara (菅原道真), Amenohohi-no-mikoto (天穂日命) and Nominosukune (野見宿祢). Their annual festival "Hassaku-sai" (八朔祭) is held between September 13-14. The shrine was founded in 997 as Tenjin-sha Shrine (天神社). In 1872 (明治5年) it was renamed as Sugawara-jinjya.

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(Monday 15 March) Sugawara-jinjya Shrine, 2-1-38 Ebisuno-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) "Ro-mon" Gate (楼門), Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) A sacred wood by "Ro-mon" Gate (楼門), Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) Another sacred wood by "Ro-mon" Gate (楼門), Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) "Ro-mon" Gate (楼門), Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) Second Shrine Gate to Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) Statue of the Sacred Cow, Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) Statue of the Sacred Cow, Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; the Worshippers' Hall), Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; the Worshippers' Hall), Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) Inari-jinjya Shrine (稲荷神社) in the precinct of Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; the Worshippers' Hall), Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; the Worshippers' Hall), Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; the Worshippers' Hall), Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

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(Monday 15 March) A votive tablet place, Sugawara-jinjya Shrine

Aguchi-jinjya Shrine

Aguchi-jinjya Shrine (開口神社) is located at 2-1-29 Kaino-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区甲斐町東2丁1-29). It enshrines Shiotsuchino-oji-no-kami (塩土老翁神), Susano-ono-kami (素盞嗚神) and Ikutama-no-kami (生国魂神). It was reportedly founded by Empress Jingu (神功皇后, 170-269; r.201-269) around AD 201 on the way back from the dubious Korean Invatsion (三韓征伐). It is also called Sumiyoshi-no-okuno-in (住吉の奥の院), although local people like to call it "Otera-san" (大寺さん). Their annual festival "Hassaku-sai" (八朔祭) is held in mid September.

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(Monday 15 March) Aguchi-jinjya Shrine, 2-1-29 Kaino-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Aguchi-jinjya Shrine, 2-1-29 Kaino-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Aguchi-jinjya Shrine, 2-1-29 Kaino-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; the Worshippers' Hall), Aguchi-jinjya Shrine, 2-1-29 Kaino-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

Site of the Birthplace of Akiko Yosano

The Site of the Birthplace of Akiko Yosano (与謝野晶子生家跡) is located at 1-1 Kaino-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区甲斐町西1-1). One of the tanka poets representing modern Japan, Akiko Yosano (与謝野晶子, 1878-1942) was born in Kaino-cho, Sakai City on December 7, 1878 as the 3rd daighter of Soshichi Ho (鳳宗七), the proprietor of a confectionery shop called Suruga-ya (駿河屋). This monument was built in 1961, marking the 20th anniversary of her death.

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(Monday 15 March) Information board of the Birthplace of Akiko Yosano, 1-1 Kaino-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Site of the Birthplace of Akiko Yosano, 1-1 Kaino-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Site of the Birthplace of Akiko Yosano, 1-1 Kaino-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) A tanka monument of Akiko Yosasho, the Birthplace of Akiko Yosano, 1-1 Kaino-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City: 海こいし (Umi Koishi) 潮の遠鳴り (Umi no Toonari) かぞへつつ (Kazoetsutsu) 少女となりし (Shojo to narishi) 父母の家 (Chichi Haha no Ie) I languish for the sea-- Counting the distant roars Of the sea I have grown into a maiden At my parents' house.) (trans. Eishiro Ito)

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(Monday 15 March) Site of the Birthplace of Akiko Yosano, 1-1 Kaino-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Posters related to Akiko Yosano at the Site of the Birthplace of Akiko Yosano, 1-1 Kaino-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

Site of Sen-no-Rikyu's Residence

Site of Rikyu Sen's Residence (千利休屋敷跡) is located at 1-17-1 Shukuin-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区宿院町西1-17-1). Rikyu Sen (1522-1591) was born in 1522 (大永２年) in Imaichi-cho, Sakai (堺今市町; now 宿院町西1丁) as the 1st son Yoshiro (与四郎) of the wealthy merchant Toto-ya (魚屋). At the age of 17, Yoshiro started learning tea-ceremony from Dochin Kitamuki (北向 道陳, 1504-1562).

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(Monday 15 March) Site of Rikyu Sen's Residence, 1-17-1 Shukuin-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Site of Rikyu Sen's Residence, 1-17-1 Shukuin-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City. The well is called "Tsubaki-no-ido" (椿の井戸) used by RIkyu.

Nankai Sakai Station

Nankai Sakai Station (南海 堺駅) was the central station of Sakai City in Nankai-Honsen Line of Nankai Electric Railway Co.,Ltd. until 1965: Now the actual central station is Sakai-Higashi Station (堺東駅) on the Nankai-Takano Line (南海高野戦). It is the city's oldest railway station founded in 1888 (明治21年). Since the opening of the chained department store Ito Yokado in September 1986, it has recovered the former prosperity and bustle.

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(Monday 15 March) South Exit (南口) of Nankai Sakai Station (南海 堺駅)

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(Monday 15 March) A stone bench near the South Exit (南口) of Nankai Sakai Station (南海 堺駅): The flowerbed featuring the two celebrities of Sakai: Rikyu Senno (千利休) on the left and Akiko Yosaho (与謝野晶子) on the right.

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(Monday 15 March) A statue of a Portuguese/Spanish merchant (「南蛮人」) at Namban-bashi Bridge (南蛮橋) near South Exit (南口) of Nankai Sakai Station (南海 堺駅)

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(Monday 15 March) A statue of a Portuguese/Spanish merchant (「南蛮人」) at Namban-bashi Bridge (南蛮橋) near South Exit (南口) of Nankai Sakai Station (南海 堺駅)

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(Monday 15 March) Statue of Akiko Yosaho (「与謝野晶子像」) at the West Exit of [Nankai] Sakai Station Square (堺駅西口駅前広場)

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(Monday 15 March) Statue of Akiko Yosaho (「与謝野晶子像」) at the West Exit of [Nankai] Sakai Station Square (堺駅西口駅前広場)

Site of Gunsmith Factory

The site of Gunsmith Factory (鉄砲鍛冶屋敷) is located at 1-3-22 Kitahatago-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区北旅籠町西1丁3-22). It was the residence and gunsmith factory of Sekiuemon Inoue (井上関右衛門) during the Edo Period (17-19 C). It is not open to the public since it is still used as a private house. During one year or two years' stay in Tanegashima Island (種子島) off Kagoshima Bay, Matasaburo Tachibana (橘屋 又三郎), a merchant of Sakai, first learned the manufacturing process of the Portuguese matchlock gun (火縄銃) first introduced to Tanegashima Island in 1543. After coming back to Sakai, he taught the process to numerous people from various areas, which rapidly changed the tactics of Japanese wars. The most famous example is the Battle of Nagashino (長篠の戦い) in Shidaragahara (設楽原: now Shinshiro City, Aichi) [愛知県新城市] in May 1757 (天正3年) between the invincible cavalry of Katsuyori Takeda (武田勝頼) and the coalition forces of Nobunaga Oda (織田信長) and Ieyasu Tokugawa (徳川家康). Thanks to thousands of matchlock guns, the coalition forces gained a signal victory.

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(Monday 15 March) The site of Gunsmith Factory (鉄砲鍛冶屋敷), 1-3-22 Kitahatago-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) The site of Gunsmith Factory (鉄砲鍛冶屋敷), 1-3-22 Kitahatago-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

Old Yamaguchi House

Old Yamaguchi House (山口家住宅) is located at 1-2-31 Nishikino-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区錦之町東１丁-2-31). It was built probably after Osaka Summer War (大阪夏の陣) in 1615 (慶長20年/元和元年) when about 20,000 houses and temples were burnt down by war fire. The Tokugawa Shogunate government soon started restoring the city with a new well-orginized city plan. Yamguchi House is one of few existing examples of the tradesman's house in early Edo Period, although the present building was built out onto the original three times during the late Edo Period.

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(Monday 15 March) Entrance to Old Yamaguchi House, 1-2-31 Nishikino-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) The ceiling of "Do-ma" (土間; the unfloored part), Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) "Do-ma" (土間; the unfloored part), Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) The purlin, Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) "Minamo-no-ma" (南の間; the south room), Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) "Minamo-no-ma" (南の間; the south room), Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) The ceiling of "Minamo-no-ma" (南の間; the south room), Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) "Hina-dan" (雛壇; tiered stand for dolls carpeted in red), "Minamo-no-ma" (奥座敷; the back parlor), Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) Wooden steps, Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) Inner garden of Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) Inner garden of Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) Inner garden of Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) Kitchen range (furnace), the unfloored part of Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) Kitchen range (furnace), the unfloored part of Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) Kitchen range (furnace), the unfloored part of Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) Kitchen range (furnace), the unfloored part of Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) A mortar (臼), the unfloored part of Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) A painted paravent (絵屏風), the unfloored part of Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) Entrance to "Kita-Dozo (北土蔵; the North Storehouse), Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) "Kita-Dozo (北土蔵; the North Storehouse), Old Yamaguchi House

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(Monday 15 March) "Kita-Dozo (北土蔵; the North Storehouse), Old Yamaguchi House

Tommy

The Japanese Western Restaurant "Tommy" (トミー) is located at 1-1-4 Minamisho-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区南庄町1-1-4): In the eastern side of the road beneath the overhead Hanshin Express Way No. 15 (阪神高速15号堺線高架下東側). They specialize curry and pork cutlet.

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(Monday 15 March) Japanese Western Restaurant "Tommy" (トミー), 1-1-4 Minamisho-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) "Deluxe Lunch" (デラックス・ランチ, 1,100 yen), Japanese Western Restaurant "Tommy"

Kofu-san Myokoku-ji Temple

Kofu-san Myokoku-ji Temple (広普山 妙國寺) is located at 4-1-4 Zaimoku-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区材木町東4丁1-4). It was founded in 1562 (永禄5年) by Nichiko (日�F, 1532-1598) with the support of Yoshikata Miyoshi (三好 義賢, 1527-1562), also known as his priest name Jikkyu (実休). It belongs to the Nichiren-shu sect (日蓮宗) of Buddhism. The temple most prospered in the late sixteenth century, but most temple buildings were burnt down by war fire of Osaka Summer War (大阪夏の陣) in 1615 (慶長20年/元和元年). The main hall was restored in 1628 (寛永5年) and other buildings were also restored later. However, the U.S. air raid burnt down most temple buildings in July 1945 (昭和20年). The resent buildings were re-restored in 1973 (昭和48年). It is famous for the "Dai-Sotetsu" tree (大蘇鉄; the great sago-palm) once transplanted to the site of Azuchi-jo Castle (安土城) at the order of Nobunaga Oda (織田信長) and the Sakai Incident* (堺事件) March 8, 1868 (慶応4年) The Sakai incident (堺事件) was the killing of eleven French sailors from the French corvette Dupleix in the port of Sakai near Osaka, Japan in 1868. On March 8, 1868 (慶応4年), a skiff sent to Sakai was attacked by samurai of the Tosa clan; eleven sailors and Midshipman Guillou were killed (a monument in Kobe is now erected to their memory). The Tosa clan had a warrant for doing this, although most Western historians have misunderstood it. At the command of the Tokugawa Shogunate government, the Tosa clan guarded the city. Early that day the French sailors of Corvette Dupleix landed and prowled around the city without any respect of the Japanese customs: They entered into some sacred areas and temples without permission, and assaulted many young Japanese women for fun. The Tosa samurai first tried to give them a strong warning but they could not communicate with the bad-mannered French sailors because of a language barrier. It was a time when the lives of common people were at the mercy of the samurai They had no choice but killed the sailors to stop their wicked deed to fulfill the obligations for the government. At that time the Shogunate came to an end, and the New Meiji Government did not have enough power to deal with the incident fairly, following the public international law or "droit des gens" (国際法). Letting it pass what his sailors did, the French captain Dupetit Thouars protested so strongly with a note of protest of the five articles that an indemnity of 150,000 dollars was agreed upon, the culprits were arrested, and twenty of them were sentenced to death by seppuku (self-disembowelment; suicide by disembowelment) at Myokoku-ji Temple. However, the style of execution was so shocking to the French that, after eleven were carried out, the captain requested a pardon, sparing nine of the samurai. This allowed the French and Japanese parties to reconcile. This incident was dramatized in the famous short story, "Sakai Jiken" (「堺事件」1914), by Ogai Mori (森鴎外).; The after-effect of the incident was so tremendous that most Japanese people came to think seriously that Japan had to go ahead with "measures conducive to the wealth and power of the Stat--measure to enrich and strengthen the country" (富国強兵策) to compete with the Great Western Powers. .

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(Monday 15 March) Sei-mon (正門; the Front Gate) of Kofu-san Myokoku-ji Temple, 4-1-4 Zaimoku-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the Main Hall), Kofu-san Myokoku-ji Temple, 4-1-4 Zaimoku-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Tosa-inari-jinjya Shrine (土佐稲荷神社) in the precinct of Kofu-san Myokoku-ji Temple, 4-1-4 Zaimoku-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City. It was no doubt built for the repose of the souls of the eleven tragic samurai of the Tosa clan.

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(Monday 15 March) Graveyard of Kofu-san Myokoku-ji Temple, 4-1-4 Zaimoku-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City. This the place where the eleven tragic samurai of the Tosa clan rest in peace.

Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple

Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple (龍興山 南宗寺) is located at 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区南旅篭町東3-1-2). It was founded in 1557 (弘治3年) by Zen Priest Soto Dairin (大林 宗套, 1480-1568) with the support of Nagayoshi [Chokei] Miyoshi (三好 長慶, 1522-1564). It belongs to the Rinzai-shu Daitoku-ji Sect (臨済宗大徳寺派) of Zen Buddhism. The main temple image is a triad of Buddhist statues with Shakyamuni in the middle (釈迦三尊). Some famous tea masters, Joou Takeo (武野 紹鴎, 1502-1555) and Rikyu Senno (千利休) practiced asceticism here. This temple has contributed to develop popular culture of Sakai greatly. Although some buildings were lost by war fire during World War II, most temple buildings were constructed in the mid seventeenth century after the famous head priest Soho Takuan (沢庵宗彭, 1573-1646) died.

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(Monday 15 March) The temple gate to Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) San-mon Gate (山門, built in 1647), Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) San-mon Gate (山門, built in 1647), Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Garden of Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Garden of Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) "Butsu-den! Hall (佛殿; the Buddhist sanctum), Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) "Kara-mon" Gate (唐門; the Chinese-styled Gate), Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Gate to Shukusho-zan Kaiei-ji Temple (宿松山 海会寺), a subordinate temple of Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Shukusho-zan Kaiei-ji Temple (宿松山 海会寺), a subordinate temple of Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Ryuko-zan Tenkei-in Temple (龍興山 天慶院), a subordinate temple of Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Memorial monument of Soji Yamanoue (山上 宗二, 1544-1590) in front of Ryuko-zan Tenkei-in Temple (龍興山 天慶院), a subordinate temple of Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Ryuko-zan Tenkei-in Temple (龍興山 天慶院). a subordinate temple of Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Ryuko-zan Hongen-in Temple (龍興山 本源院), a subordinate temple of Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

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(Monday 15 March) Tokusen-an Temple (徳泉庵), a subordinate temple of Ryuko-zan Nanshu-ji Temple, 3-1-2 Hatago-cho-Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

The Tomb of Emperor Nintoku (仁徳天皇陵) is called Mozunomimihara-no-Nakano-Misasagi (百舌鳥耳原中陵), the biggest tomb of Japan (2,718 meters in circumference and 660 m/840 m in diameter: an area of 464.124 sq. m). The shape is called "zempo-koen-fun" type (前方後方墳: "two conjoined rectangles"). It is also called Saisen-Kofun (大仙陵), located in east Sakai City. It is of course the biggest one of the existing forty-seven kofun (古墳; the ancient burial mounds) of the Necropolis of Mozu (百舌鳥古墳群). The Imperial tomb of Nintoku's consort, Iwa-no hime no Mikoto (磐姫皇后), is said to be located in Saki-cho, Nara City. Both kofun-typed Imperial tombs are characterized by a keyhole-shaped island located within a wide, water-filled moat. Imperial tombs and mausoleums are cultural properties; but they are guarded and administered by the Imperial Household Agency (宮内庁; IHA), which is the government department responsible for all matters relating to the emperor and his family. According to the IHA, the tombs are more than a mere repository for historical artifacts; they are sacred religious sites. IHA construes each of the Imperial grave sites as sanctuaries for the spirits of the ancestors of the Imperial House. Emperor Nintoku (仁徳天皇, 257?-399?; r.313?-399?) was the 16th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign. Nintoku is considered to have ruled the country during the late-fourth century and early-fifth century, but there is a paucity of information about him. There is insufficient material available for further verification and study. According to Nihon Shoki (『日本書紀』; the Chronicles of Japan), he was the fourth son of 15th Emperor Ojin (応神天皇; 201-310; r.270-310) and the father of 17th Emperors Richu (履中天皇, 336?-405?; r.400-405), 18th Emperor Hanzei (反正天皇, 336?-410?: r.406-410), and 19th Emperor Ingyo (允恭天皇, 376?-453?: r.412-453).

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(Monday 15 March) A panoramic view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku in front of the Tomb Gate

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(Monday 15 March) A miniature of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku in front of the Tomb Gate

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(Monday 15 March) A roadsign of the circuit track (2,850 meters) of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) Warnings for preserving the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

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(Monday 15 March) Shrine Gate of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

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(Monday 15 March) Shrine Gate of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

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(Monday 15 March) Shrine Gate of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

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(Monday 15 March) Shrine Gate of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

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(Monday 15 March) The Imperial Household Agency Office by the Shrine Gate of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku off the circuit track (2,850 meters)

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(Monday 15 March) A panoramic view of the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku from Sakai City Hall Observatory Lobby (21st Floor)

Sakai City Hall Observatory Lobby

Sakai City Hall (堺市役所), located a three-minute walk away from the Sakaihigashi Station (堺東駅) of the Nankai Koya Line (南海高野線), is a 21-story high-rise, and the top-most floor is open to all citizens as the Observatory Lobby to make City Hall a more familiar place. This floor is 80 meters from the ground with observation windows facing all directions for an exquisite 360-degree view. This is the only place where you can have a panoramic view of the Necropolis of Mozu (百舌鳥古墳群). The address is 3-1 Minami-Kawaramachi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City (堺市堺区南瓦町3番1号).

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(Monday 15 March) Sakai City Hall

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(Monday 15 March) A view from Sakai City Hall Observatory Lobby

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(Monday 15 March) A view from Sakai City Hall Observatory Lobby

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(Monday 15 March) A view from Sakai City Hall Observatory Lobby

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(Monday 15 March) A view from Sakai City Hall Observatory Lobby

        

Copyright (c) 2010 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.