Kofu City, the seat of prefectural government of Yanamashi, is located in the central part of the prefecture with a shape of waxing moon, surrounded by Japan Southern Alps (日本アルプス) and Oku-Chichibu mountain ranges called Oku-Chichibu-sankai (奥秩父山塊), some of the mountains are as high as almost 3,000 meters.  It is about 125 km northwest and it takes about 90 minutes by a limited express called "Azusa" (あずさ) from JR Shinjyuku Station, Tokyo.  Thus, it is a part of the Metropolitan area.
  "Kofu" (甲府) was named by the 18th lord of Takeda (head family of the Kai-Genji clan [甲斐源氏]) Nobutora Takeda (武田 信虎, 1494-1574) who moved his mansion in Isawa (now Isawa Town, Fuefuki City [笛吹市石和町]) to Kawada ( now Kawada Town, Kofu City [甲府市川田]), and finally to Tsutsujigasaki-yakata (躑躅ヶ崎館; now Takeda-jinjya Shrine, Kofuchu-cho, Kofu CIty [甲府市古府中町]) in 1519 (16th year of Eisho [永正]): It means the "Fuchu" (府中; the provincial capital) of Kai-no-kuni (甲斐国).  Kofu became the stronghold of the Takeda clan during the Age of Civil Wars (戦国時代) in the sixteenth century.  After the decline of the Takeda clan, the Oda clan (織田氏), the Tokugawa clan (徳川氏), the Kato clan (加藤氏) and the Asano clan (浅野氏) governed this area in turn in the late sixteenth century.  In the Edo Period, some lords from the Tokugawa clan except the Yoshiyasu & Yoshisato Yanagisawa (柳沢 吉保・吉里) ruled this area until 8th Shogun Yoshimune Tokugawa (徳川 吉宗) took this area as a shogunal demesne in 1724 (9th year of Kyoho [享保]).  Since the foundation of Tsutsujigasaki-yakata in 1519, Kofu has always functioned as the provincial capital of Kai-no-kuni, the present Yanamashi Prefecture.
  The city is a hometown of one of the most popular Japanese warload/politician Takeda Shingen (武田信玄, 19th lord of Takeda family, 1521-1573) of the Civil War Period (戦国時代) in the sixteenth century.  Kofu City was flourished as a castle town, posting station and commercial center along the Koshu-kaido (甲州街道) during the Edo Period (1603-1867).
  Kofu City has been developed not only as the economic, cultural and industrial center of Yamanashi Prefecture, but is also endowed with nature, including Mitake-Shosenkyo (御岳昇仙峡), a beautiful valley, which fascinates tourists especially from the Metropolitan area.  Kofu City is also famous for traditional handcrafts of grinding and polishing jewels, carving seals and "Inden" (印伝/甲州印伝) which the traditional leathercrafts made of sheepskin or deerskin originally derived from India.  The current Kofu City has an area of 212.41sq. km and the population is 199,324 (October 1, 2007).

  For further information of Shingen Takeda and the Battles of Kawanakajima, go to the Nagano page.

IMAGE	IMAGE NO.	DATA
JR Kofu Station		JR Kofu Station (JR 甲府駅) seems to divide this city into two divisions. the traditional area in the north and the modern area in the south.
	ykf2007-001	(Sunday 20 October) South Exit of JR Kofu Station.
Statue of Shingen Takeda		The bronze statue of the 19th Lord Shingen Takeda (武田 信玄, 1521-1573) off the south exit of JR Kofu Station.  It was designed by Torahiko Miyazaki (宮崎 寅彦) and constructed by Ono Sekizai-ten (小野石材店) with the funds of many people who loved Shingen Takeda in 1968 (43rd year of Showa).  The height of the statue is 380 cm.   Shingen was born on November 3 1st year of Daiei (大永元年) in the lunar calendar [December 1 in the solar calendar] in 1521 as the first son of Nobutora Takeda (武田 信虎, 1494-1574), the 18th lord of the Takeda clan, the head family of the Kai-Genji clan (甲斐源氏), who served as the guardian lord of "Kai-no-kuni" (甲斐国).  Shingen was actually his "Homyo" (法名; the Buddhist name): His secular name is Harunobu (晴信).  He led the Takeda cavalry, probably the strongest Japanese army at that time, to invade the adjacent "Shinano-no-kuni" (信濃国; now Nagano Prefecture), defeated numerous lords and finally obtained Shinano while he fought with his good rival Kenshin Uesugi (上杉 謙信, 1530-1578) at the five battles of Kawanakajima (川中島の戦い, 1553, 1555, 1557, 1561 and 1564) located in the basin formerly called Zenkoji-daira (善光寺平) or the present Nagano City (長野市).  In the best time (around 1570), Shingen governed Kai (甲斐), Shinano (信濃), Nishi-Kozuke (西上野), Totomi (遠江), and some parts of Mikawa (三河) and Mino (美濃).  However, on the way to the capital Kyoto with his cavalry of about 30,000, he was attacked with a serious disease and he died in Komaba, "Shinano-no-kuni" (信濃国駒場; now Achi Village, Shimoina County, Nagano [長野県下伊那郡阿智村]) on April 12, 4th year of Genki (元亀4年) [May 13, 1573] at the age of 53.   As a politician, he was anxious to control the water-control project in his base "Kai-no-kuni" and he built the banks called "Shingen-zutsumi" (信玄堤) at the meeting point of Ryuo, Nakakoma County (中巨摩郡竜王町), Yamanashi of the Midai-gawa River (御勅使川) and the Kamunashi River (釜無川) in Kofu Basin (甲府盆地).  This project enabled people to reclaim the waste land.  Shingen also minted the first Japanese gold coin called "Koshu-kin" (甲州金).  In the time of Shingen's rule, "Kai-no-kuni" was full of gold mines which covered the expenses of the water-control project and armaments.  Shingen, like his best rival Kenshin Uesugi, deeply embraced Buddhism, so he often donated a huge amount of money not only to Buddhist temples but also to Shinto shrines to preserve their religions and cultural assets.  Shingen has been admired by people all over the country.      For further information of Shingen Takeda and the Battles of Kawanakajima, go to the Nagano page.
	ykf2007-006	(Sunday 20 October) "Shingen-ko-zo" (信玄公像; Statue of Lord Shingen Takeda) off the south exit of JR Kofu Station
	ykf2007-009	(Sunday 20 October) "Shingen-ko-zo" (信玄公像; Statue of Lord Shingen Takeda) off the south exit of JR Kofu Station
Sekisuiji		Sekisuiji (積翠寺) is the area located north of Tsutsujigasaki-yakata (躑躅ヶ崎館; Tsutsujigasaki Mansion; now Takeda-jinjya Shrine, Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City [甲府市古府中町]).  The name was derived from Bansho-zan Sekisui-ji Temple (万松山 積翠寺) which was founded by Gyoki (行基, AD 668-749).  In the Kamukura Period (c.1185-1333), Jikuho (竺峯), a disciple of Soseki Muso (夢窓疎石, 1275-1351) restored this temple.  Thus it belongs to Rinzai-shu Myoshin-ji-ha sect of Buddhism (臨済宗妙心寺派).   During the Battle of Iidagahara (飯田河原の合戦) with the Imagawa clan (今川氏) in 1521, the legal wife of the 18th lord Nobutora Takeda (武田 信虎, 1494-1574) stayed at this temple and bore a boy, the future Harunobu [Shingen] Takeda.  there is a well reportedly used for the newborn baby's first bath behind the temple (no photo available).
	ykf2007-011	(Sunday 20 October) General Information Board of "Takeda-no-Mori" (武田の杜; Takeda Clan's Forest), that is, Sekisuiji Area.
	ykf2007-013	(Sunday 20 October) The Ai-kawa River (相川), Sekisuiji
	ykf2007-014	(Sunday 20 October) Statues of travelers' guardian deity (道祖神) by the Ai-kawa River (相川), Sekisuiji
	ykf2007-015	(Sunday 20 October) Gate to Bansho-zan Sekisui-ji Temple (万松山 積翠寺)
	ykf2007-017	(Sunday 20 October) Signpost indicating the birthplace of Shingen Takeda, Bansho-zan Sekisui-ji Temple (万松山 積翠寺)
	ykf2007-019	(Sunday 20 October) A Buddhist statue, Bansho-zan Sekisui-ji Temple (万松山 積翠寺)
	ykf2007-020	(Sunday 20 October) Bansho-zan Sekisui-ji Temple (万松山 積翠寺)
	ykf2007-022	(Sunday 20 October) Belfry of Bansho-zan Sekisui-ji Temple (万松山 積翠寺)
	ykf2007-023	(Sunday 20 October) Kanzeon-bosatu-do (観世音菩薩堂; Hall of Avalokitevara-bodhisattva [the Merciful Goddess]), Bansho-zan Sekisui-ji Temple (万松山 積翠寺)
	ykf2007-024	(Sunday 20 October) Inside of Kanzeon-bosatu-do (観世音菩薩堂; Hall of Avalokitevara-bodhisattva [the Merciful Goddess]), Bansho-zan Sekisui-ji Temple (万松山 積翠寺)
	ykf2007-026	(Sunday 20 October) Sekisuiji-meien (積翠寺名園; the Fine Garden of Sekisui-ji Temple), reportedly designed by Soseki Muso (夢窓疎石, 1275-1351)
	ykf2007-027	(Sunday 20 October) Sekisuiji-meien (積翠寺名園; the Fine Garden of Sekisui-ji Temple), reportedly designed by Soseki Muso (夢窓疎石, 1275-1351)
Sekisuiji-onsen		Sekisuiji-onsen Yogai (積翠寺温泉 要害) is located in Kami-Sekisuiji, Kofu City (甲府市上積翠寺) at the foot of Mt. Yogai.  It was one of Shingen takeda's secret hot springs for healing his soldier's wounds during the series of battles.   I have come here on the occasions of staying in a camp for studying James Joyce with members of the Kanto James Joyce Study Group during 1990s.  Highly recommended.
	ykf2007-032	(Sunday 20 October) Sekisuiji-onsen Yogai (積翠寺温泉 要害) located in Kami-Sekisuiji
	ykf2007-033	(Sunday 20 October) Signpost of Sekisuiji-onsen Yogai (積翠寺温泉 要害) located in Kami-Sekisuiji
Yogaiyama-jo Remains		Yogaiyama-jo (要害山城) or Sekisuiyama-jo (積水山城) was located in Kami-Sekisuiji (上積翠寺), north of Tsutsujigasaki-yakata (躑躅ヶ崎館; Tsutsujigasaki Mansion; now Takeda-jinjya Shrine, Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City [甲府市古府中町]).  It was constructed on Mt. Yogai (770 m) in the 17th year of Eisho (永正17年) or 1520 by Nobutora Takeda (武田 信虎, 1494-1574) the 18th lord of the Takeda clan.  Harunobu [Shingen] Takeda (武田信玄, 1521-1573) was reportedly born here as the stone monument at the top of Mt. Yogai indicates.   This was a fort, rather than a castle for guarding the north of Tsutsujigasaki Mansion.  Later, Katsuyori Takeda, 20th and last lord of the Takeda clan restored this fort in the 4th year of Tensho (天正4年) or in 1576, and Mitsuyasu Kato (加藤 光泰 , 1537-1593) restored the fort again around 1590.  It was demolished in the 5th year of Keicho (慶長5年) or 1600 after the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原の戦い).
	ykf2007-035	(Sunday 20 October) Information board of Yogai-san (Mt. Yogai)
	ykf2007-036	(Sunday 20 October) Map of Yogai-san (Mt. Yogai)
	ykf2007-038	(Sunday 20 October) On the public walk (遊歩道) of Yogai-san (Mt. Yogai)
	ykf2007-041	(Sunday 20 October) "Tatehori-ato" (堅堀跡; the dike remains) on the public walk of Mt. Yogai
	ykf2007-042	(Sunday 20 October) "Tatehori-ato" (堅堀跡; the dike remains) on the public walk of Mt. Yogai
	ykf2007-043	(Sunday 20 October) "Dorui" (土塁; the earthwork remains) on the public walk of Mt. Yogai
	ykf2007-047	(Sunday 20 October) "Fudo Kuruwa" (不動曲輪; the comparted flat quarter "Fudo-kuruwa" with fences and earthwork remains) on the public walk of Mt. Yogai.  It was named in the Edo Period after Takeda Fudo-son (武田不動尊; Hall of Acala [the God of Fire]) built by people who remembered the Takeda clan.
	ykf2007-048	(Sunday 20 October) "Mon-ato" (門跡; the gate remains) on the public walk of Mt. Yogai
	ykf2007-051	(Sunday 20 October) "Kuruwa" (曲輪; the comparted flat quarter with fences and earthwork remains) on the public walk of Mt. Yogai
	ykf2007-054	(Sunday 20 October) "Mon-ato" (門跡; the gate remains) on the public walk of Mt. Yogai
	ykf2007-056	(Sunday 20 October) Stone monument of the birthplace of Lord Shingen Takeda at the top of Mt. Yogai (770 m)
	ykf2007-057	(Sunday 20 October) Stone monument of the birthplace of Lord Shingen Takeda at the top of Mt. Yogai (770 m).  It was built in January of the 17th year of Showa (1942) by the Educational Committee of Yamanashi Prefecture, as it says.
	ykf2007-058	(Sunday 20 October) The signpost of the top of Mt. Yogai: "'780 m" as it says!
	ykf2007-060	(Sunday 20 October) Road sign at the top of Mt. Yogai: 0.8 km (25 min. walk) to Yogai-onsen on the left, and 2.0 km (60 min. walk) to Fukakusa-kannon (深草観音; Fukakusa Kuan-Yin [Avalokitevara]) and 2.3 km (75 min. walk) to Iwado-toge (岩堂峠; the Iwado Pass)
	ykf2007-061	(Sunday 20 October) At the top of Mt. Yogai (770 m)
Takeda-jinjya		Takeda-jinjya Shrine (武田神社) was built in 1919 (8th year of Taisho) on the site of Tsutsujigasaki-yakata (躑躅ヶ崎館; Tsutsujigasaki Mansion), 2611 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City [甲府市古府中町2611]).  It enshrines Lord Shingen Takeda (武田 信玄, 1521-1573), the 19th lord of Takeda family).  Since the Meiji Restoration in 1868, it was common to confer posthumous honors on historical loyal [faithful] retainers.  Especially after the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), every Shinto shrines was expected to enshrine a god of war across the country.  In such a mood, people expected to build a new shrine dedicated to Shingen Takeda as the famous god of war here in Kofu.   After World War II, Shingen Takeda has attracted many tourists.  Since 1966 (41st year of Showa), Shingen-ko Matsuri (Lord Shingen Festival) has been held by the administrative office on the weekends just before April 12, the obit of Lord Shingen Takeda.
	ykf2007-069	(Sunday 20 October)The whole view of Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-071	(Sunday 20 October) Information board of Tsutsujigasaki-yakata (躑躅ヶ崎館; Tsutsujigasaki Mansion)
	ykf2007-072	(Sunday 20 October) "Furinkazan," the replica of the famous battle flag of Shingen Takeda, Takeda-jinjya Shrine.   「疾如風、徐如林、侵掠如火、不動如山 / 疾（はや）きこと風の如く、徐（しず）かなること林の如く、侵掠（しんりゃく）すること火の如く、動かざること山の如し」.  It was extracted from the 7th chapter "Maneuvering" (軍争篇第七) of the ancient Chinese book of strategy The Art of War by Sun-tzu (孫子, 『孫子兵法』4 BC): 「其疾如風、其徐如林、侵掠如火、難知如陰、不動如山、動如雷霆。／其の疾きこと風の如く、其の徐（しず）かなること林の如く、侵掠すること火の如く、知りがたきこと陰の如く、動かざること山の如し、動くこと雷霆（らいてい）の如し」.      VII. MANEUVERING      . . . . . . . . .   17. Let your rapidity be that of the wind,    your compactness that of the forest.      18. In raiding and plundering be like fire,   is immovability like a mountain.      19. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night,   and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.     (trans. Lionel Giles, M.A., 1910)
	ykf2007-075	(Sunday 20 October) "Shin-kyo" (神橋; Bridge of God) on the approach to "Hai-den" (Worshippers' Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-076	(Sunday 20 October) Viewed from "Shin-kyo" (神橋; Bridge of God) on the approach to "Hai-den" (Worshippers' Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-077	(Sunday 20 October) "Ichi-no-Torii" (First Shrine Gate), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-078	(Sunday 20 October) "Ichi-no-Torii" (First Shrine Gate), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-079	(Sunday 20 October) "Ni-no-Torii" (Second Shrine Gate), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-080	(Sunday 20 October) "Hai-den" (Worshippers' Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-082	(Sunday 20 October) "Hai-den" (Worshippers' Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-083	(Sunday 20 October) A well once used by Lord Shingen Takeda near "Hai-den" (Worshippers' Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-084	(Sunday 20 October) A well once used by Lord Shingen Takeda near "Hai-den" (Worshippers' Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-086	(Sunday 20 October) "Hon-den" (Main Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-087	(Sunday 20 October) "Koyo Buryu-den" (甲陽武龍殿; Koyo Hall of the Martial Arts), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-088	(Sunday 20 October) Information board of Takeda Suikinkutsu (武田 水琴窟; Takeda Water Koto Cave), Takeda-jinjya Shrine.  "Suikinkutsu" is a Japanese garden ornament and music device which consists of an upside-down buried pot with a hole at the top.  Water drips through the hole at the top onto a small water pool inside of the pot, which creating a pleasant (but small) splashing sound that rings inside.  It is similar to a bell or a Japanese zither called koto.  "Suikinkutsu" can be seen next to a traditional Japanese stone basin called "Chozu-bachi" (手水鉢) for washing hands in old temples in the Kanto District or Western Japan.   I have never seen this old device in Northern Japan, probably because it does not function very well in cold places where the water can easily become ice inside of the pot.
	ykf2007-089	(Sunday 20 October) Takeda Suikinkutsu (武田 水琴窟; Takeda Water Koto Cave), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-091	(Sunday 20 October) The site of Tsutsujigasaki-yakata (躑躅ヶ崎館; Tsutsujigasaki Mansion) in the precincts of Takeda-jinjya Shrine
Fujimura-kinen-kan		Kofu-shi Fujimura-kinen-kan (甲府市藤村記念館; Kofu City Fujimura Memoriak Hall) was built by 1875 (8th year of Meiji) as the building of Mutsuzawa School (睦沢学校) in Mutsuzawa Village, County Koma (巨摩郡睦沢村; now Kamesawa, Kai City [甲斐市亀沢]).  It was used as the shool building until 1957 (32nd year of Showa) and reused as Mutsuzawa Public Hall (睦沢公民館) until 1961 (36th year of Showa).  It was almost demolished because of decay but restored by the preservation committee and moved to the present site in the precincts of Takeda-jinjya Shrinei n 1966 (41st year of Showa).   The building was renamed as Fujimura-kinen-kan (Fujimura Memoriak Hall) because its building style imitating the Western style was established by Shiro Fujimura (藤村 紫朗, 1845-1906) who was anointed the first governor of Yamanashi Prefecture in 1886 (19th year of Meiji) and remained here until he was reanointed as the governor of Ehime Prefecture in March 1887.   Now this building displays old and new numerous school textbooks.
	ykf2007-095	(Sunday 20 October) Kofu-shi Fujimura-kinen-kan (Kofu City Fujimura Memoriak Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-096	(Sunday 20 October) Kofu-shi Fujimura-kinen-kan (Kofu City Fujimura Memoriak Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
	ykf2007-097	(Sunday 20 October) Interior of Kofu-shi Fujimura-kinen-kan (Kofu City Fujimura Memoriak Hall), Takeda-jinjya Shrine
Yamanashi Gokoku-jinjya		Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine (山梨縣 護國神社) is located in 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City (甲府市岩窪町608).  This is one of the Gokoku-jinjya shrines across Japan.  Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine enshrines the 25,039 war dead of Yamanashi Prefecture since the Seinan War (西南戦争, 1877).  This is one of the 52 Gokoku-jinjya shrines over Japan.  "Gokoku" means defense of the fatherland.  Thus, each Gokoku-jinjya shrine enshrines souls of local patriots.  See the Kyoto East page: Some information and photos of Kyoto Ryozan Gokoku-jinjya Shrine are available.   It was originally founded in Ota-machi, Kofu City (甲府市太田町) and moved to the present location in 1942 (17th year of Showa) when it was renamed as Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine.  During the Edo Period (1603-1867) Ryuka-zan Eikei-ji Temple (龍華山 永慶寺), known as the temple where Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa (柳沢 吉保, 1658-1714) lied.  All the temple buildings were demolished in 1724 (9th year of Kyoho [享保]) when the Yanagisawa clan moved to Yamato-Koriyama, Nara (奈良県大和郡山市) and build new buildings of Eikei-ji Temple near Koriyama-jo Castle (郡山城).  Now Here is one of popular spots for cherry blossom viewing.
	ykf2007-098	(Sunday 20 October) The outer shrine gate on the approach to Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-100	(Sunday 20 October) "Dai-ichi-Torii" (First Shrine Gate), Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-101	(Sunday 20 October) Stone steps to the main hall, Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-102	(Sunday 20 October) "Dai-ni-Torii" (Second Shrine Gate), Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-103	(Sunday 20 October) "Dai-san-Torii" (Third Shrine Gate), Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-104	(Sunday 20 October) "Hai-den" (Worshippers' Hall), Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-105	(Sunday 20 October) Yamanashi-gu Hall (山梨宮) with the stone inscription of "Kokubo Chukon" (国防忠魂; National Defense with [Your] Loyal Souls), Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-106	(Sunday 20 October) The stone monument of "Yokaren" (予科練), Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City.   "Yokaren" is the shortened name for "Kaigun Hiko-renshu-sei Seido" (海軍飛行予科練習生制度) or the Japanese Naval Preparatory Flight Training Program started in 1930.  All the students were volunteers from age 14 to 20 who graduated from middle school (classified as "Ko-shu" [甲種; grade A]) and from higher elementary school (classified as "Otsu-shu" [乙種; grade B]) in the Japanese pre-war education system.  About 18,900 of the 241,463 graduates of the Yokaren died in battle, with many of those in suicide attack operation notoriously known as "Kamikaze Special Attack" (神風特攻) undertaken between October 1944 and August 1945.  Starting in 1943 (18th year of Showa) the Japanese Imperial Navy drastically increased the number of the Yokaren students, and many of those young men were still in training at the end of World War II on August 15, 1945.
	ykf2007-107	(Sunday 20 October) "Irei-no-hi" (慰霊の碑) or the memorial monument for the war dead, Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-108	(Sunday 20 October) "Manmo-kaitaku Seishonen-giyu-tai-no-hi" (満蒙開拓青少年義勇隊之碑) or the monument for the dead who joined the young men's volunteer corps to reclaim in Mongolia and Manchuria.  Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City.  The inscription says, "Dear friends, rest in peace."
	ykf2007-109	(Sunday 20 October) "Manmo-kaitaku Seishonen-giyu-tai-no-hi" (満蒙開拓青少年義勇隊之碑) or the monument for the dead who joined the young men's volunteer corps to reclaim in Mongolia and Manchuria.  The inscription dated in 1955 (30th year of Showa) says, "I remember you who went to Mongolia and Manchuria in the far north and never came back."  Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City.
	ykf2007-110	(Sunday 20 October) The memorial monument for the war dead of the former Japanese Imperial navy, Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-111	(Sunday 20 October) The memorial monument for the war dead who belonged to the unit no. 3063, Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-112	(Sunday 20 October) The monument of the donors for building "Dai-ni-Torii" (the Second Shrine Gate), Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-113	(Sunday 20 October) "Chichi-no-hi" (父の碑; Statue of Our Father), Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City.  Probably this statue express the father who saluted to his family and friends just before going campaigning
	ykf2007-115	(Sunday 20 October) Monument of Ryuka-zan Eikei-ji Temple (龍華山 永慶寺) in the precincts of Yamanashi-ken Gokoku-jinjya Shrine, 608 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City.  Dated "Good Day" July, 15th year of Heisei (2003).   During the Edo Period (1603-1867) Ryuka-zan Eikei-ji Temple (龍華山 永慶寺) stood here, which was known as the temple where Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa (柳沢 吉保, 1658-1714) and his family lied.  It was built in the 5th year of Hoei (宝永) or AD 1709 by Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa who became the lord of Kofu in the 1st year of Hoei in 1704, and belonged to Obaku-shu sect (黄檗宗) of Zen Buddhism.  It was modeled after Obaku-san Manpuku-ji Temple (黄檗山 萬福寺), Kyoto, the head temple of the Obakushu-sect.  All the temple buildings, however, were demolished in 1724 (9th year of Kyoho [享保9年]) when the Yanagisawa clan moved to Yamato-Koriyama, Nara (奈良県大和郡山市) and build new buildings of Eikei-ji Temple near Koriyama-jo Castle (郡山城).  Now Here is one of popular spots for cherry blossom viewing.
Enko-in Temple		Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple (瑞巌山 円光院) or more precisely Zuigen-zan Enkogoji-zen-in (瑞巖山 円光護持禅院) is located in 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City (甲府市岩窪町500-1; in the northeast of Kofu or east of the site of Tsutsujigasaki Mansion [now Takeda-jinjya Shrine]) and belongs to the Rinzai-shu Myoshin-ji-ha sect (臨済宗妙心寺派) of Buddhism.  This is one of the Five Great Buddhist Temples of Kofu Shingen Takeda (武田 信玄, 1521-1573) chose.   Enko-in Temple was founded as Seiko-in Temple (清光院) in Koisawa (小石和; now Isawa-cho, Fuefuki City [笛吹市石和町]) by Taro Kiyomitsu Itsumi (逸見 太郎 清光, 1110-1168), an ancestor of Shingen Takeda (武田 信玄, 1521-1573).  It was renamed as Seijyu-in Temple (成就院) by the 15th lord Nobumori Takeda (武田 信守, ?-1455) during the Hogen Era (保元年間, 1156-1159).  In the 3rd year of Eiroku (永禄3年) or AD 1560, Shingen refounded this temple inviting Saint Sessan (説三和尚) in the present place.  The present name "Enko-in" was named after Shingen's legal wife Lady Sanjo (三条夫人, 1521-1570) died on July 28, 1st year of Genki [元亀元年] or AD 1570 and was buried in this temple with a posthumous Buddhist name "Enko-in" (圓光院).  Shingen Takeda died on April 12, 1st year of Tensho (天正元年) or AD 1573.  After the decline of the Takeda clan, the temple became the temple of the Hiraoka family (平岡家) who had served the Takeda clan for generations.   The original temple buildings were burnt down in the 3rd year of Enkyo (延享3年) or AD 1746.  The present main hall (本堂) was reconstructed in the 52nd year of Showa (1977) and the dining-living area (庫裡) was completed in the 11th year of Heisei (1999).
	ykf2007-116	(Sunday 20 October) Signpost of Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple, 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-118	(Sunday 20 October) Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple, 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-121	(Sunday 20 October) Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple, 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-122	(Sunday 20 October) The belfry of Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple, 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-123	(Sunday 20 October) "Kuri" (庫裡) or the dining-living area, Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple, 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-124	(Sunday 20 October) Signpost of the mausoleum of Lady Sanjo (1521-1570), Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple, 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City.   Lady Sanjo was born between Kinyori Sanjo (三条 公頼, 1495-1551), the Minister of the Left, and Koken-in (高顕院) in Kyoto as their second daughter.  At the age of 16, she married Harunobu [later Shingen] Takeda through Yoshimoto Imagawa (今川 義元, 1519-1560)'s good offices in July in the 5th year of Tenbun [天文5年] or AD 1536.  She gave birth to Shingen's first son Yoshinobu (1538-1567), their second son Nobuchika Un-no (海野 信親, 1541-1581) known as his priest name "Ryuho" (竜芳), their third son Nobuyuki (武田 信之, 1543-1553), their first daughter Obai-in (黄梅院, 1543-1569) who became the legal wife of Ujimasa Hojo (北条 氏政, 1538-1590), and their second daughter Kensho-in (見性院, 1545-1622) who became the legal wife of Nobukimi Anayama (穴山 信君, 1541-1582).  She died on July 28 in the 1st year of Genki (元亀元年) or AD 1570 three years earlier than Shingen's death and was buried here in this temple.
	ykf2007-125	(Sunday 20 October) Information board of the facts of Lady Sanjo's character: "The most beautiful lady of the Buddha land [Pure Land] in the West/ With the halo like the sun/ With the harmony like the Spring season" by Saint Joki Kaisen (快川 紹喜 国師, ?-1582) of En-zan Keirin-ji Temple (塩山 恵林寺).
	ykf2007-129	(Sunday 20 October) Mausoleum of Lady Sanjo (1521-1570), Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple, 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-131	(Sunday 20 October) Mausoleum of Lady Sanjo (1521-1570), Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple, 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-133	(Sunday 20 October) Mausoleum of Lady Sanjo (1521-1570), Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple, 500-1 Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-134	(Sunday 20 October) Kofu City, viewed from Zuigen-zan Enko-in Temple
Grave of Shingen Takeda		"Shingen-ko Bosho" (信玄公墓所; The graveyard of Lord Shingen), Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City.  This is the place where Shingen Takeda (武田 信玄, 19th lord of Takeda family, 1521-1573) was cremated and buried, although there are many other graves of Shingen over the country.   Shingen Takeda died of a serious disease on the way to the capital Kyoto with his cavalry of about 30,000 in Komaba, "Shinano-no-kuni" (信濃国 駒場; now Achi Village, Shimoina County, Nagano [長野県下伊那郡阿智村]) on April 12, 4th year of Genki (元亀4年) [May 13, 1573] at the age of 53.  At the will of Shingen himself, his death was concealed for three years.  His body was secretly cremated and buried in the house of Uemon-no-jo Masatsugu Tsuchiya (土屋 右衛門尉 昌次, 1544-1575).  Shingen's sarcophagus [stone coffin] was excavated by the local governor Seidayu Nakai (中井 清太夫, known as the man who spread potatoes) in the 8th year of An-ei (安永8年) or AD 1779.  The existing stone inscription says, "Hossho-in Dai-Sojo Kizan Shingen no Haka" (法性院大僧正機山信玄之墓; The Grave of Arch Bishop of Hossho-in Kizan Shingen).
	ykf2007-137	(Sunday 20 October) Memorial stone built in the 38th year of Meiji or AD 1905.  "Shingen-ko Bosho" (The graveyard of Lord Shingen), Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City.
	ykf2007-138	(Sunday 20 October) "Shingen-ko Bosho" (The graveyard of Lord Shingen), Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-139	(Sunday 20 October) "Shingen-ko Bosho" (The graveyard of Lord Shingen), Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-141	(Sunday 20 October) "Shingen-ko Bosho" (The graveyard of Lord Shingen), Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-142	(Sunday 20 October) "Shingen-ko Bosho" (The graveyard of Lord Shingen), Iwakubo-cho, Kofu City
Daisen-ji Temple		Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple (万年山 大泉寺) is located in 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City (甲府市古府中町5015).  It belongs to the Soto-shu sect of Buddhism (曹洞宗).  It enshrines "Shaka-nyorai" (釈迦如来; Shakyamuni-tathagata; the Incarnation of Truth) as the principal image.   Daisen-ji Temple was founded by the 18th lord Nobutora Takeda (武田 信虎, 1494-1574) in the 1st year of Daiei (大永元年) or AD 1521 as his own family temple.  It has the three graves of the last three generations of the Takeda clan, Nobutora, Shingen (1521-1573) and Katsuyori (武田 勝頼, 1546-1582).  During World War II, the temple buildings were burnt down by the US air raid but they were reconstructed in the 11th year of Heisei or AD 1999.
	ykf2007-146	(Sunday 20 October) "Daisen-ji So-mon" (大泉寺 総門), Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City.  It is said that this gate was moved from Ryuka-zan Eikei-ji Temple (龍華山 永慶寺) in the early eighteenth century.
	ykf2007-147	(Sunday 20 October) "Daisen-ji So-mon," Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City.  It is said that this gate was moved from Ryuka-zan Eikei-ji Temple in the early eighteenth century.
	ykf2007-148	(Sunday 20 October) Approach to the main hall, Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-149	(Sunday 20 October) The inner gate to the main hall, Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-150	(Sunday 20 October) The inner gate to the main hall, Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-151	(Sunday 20 October) The belfry, Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-152	(Sunday 20 October) "Hon-do" (本堂), Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-159	(Sunday 20 October) The mausoleum hall of the 18th lord Nobutora Takeda (武田 信虎, 1494-1574), Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City.   Nobutora Takeda was born in the 3rd year of Meio (明応3年) or AD 1494 as the first son of Nobutsuna Takeda (武田 信縄, 1471-1507), the 17th lord of the Takeda-clan.  As often have been told, he was a very arrogant tyrant while he was also known as a very excellent tactician.   He defeated his uncle Nobushige Aburakawa (油川 信恵, ?-1508) in the 5th year of Eisho (永正14年) or AD 1508 and overwhelmed the Oyamada clan (a Kammu-Heike clan [桓武平氏]) in the 7th year of Eisho (AD 1510).  in the 12t year of Eisho (AD 1515) he attacked the Oi family (大井氏) of Ueno-jo Castle (上野城).  In the 14th year of Eisho (1517) he temporarily made peace with the Imagawa clan and in the 17th year of Eisho (AD 1520) he legally married a daughter of Nobusato Oi (大井 信達, ?-?) or the future Lady Oi (大井夫人/大井の方).   In the 16th year of Eishio (AD 1519) he moved his mansion from Isawa (石和) to Kofu (甲府) where he made a castle town with his retainers.  After the move, he repeatedly fought with the neighboring countries including the Suwa clan (諏訪氏) of Shinano (信濃) and the Imagawa clan until the 6th year of Tenbun (天文6年; AD 1537) when he decided to send his first daughter Jokei-in (定恵院) to Suruga to marry Yoshimoto Imagawa (今川 義元, 1519-1560) which made their relationship much better.  He repeatedly fought with the neighboring countries and sometimes sent his daughters to marry sons of his rivals.   On June 14 in the 10th year of Tenbun (AD 1541) when Nobutora came back from Shinamo, however, Harunobu (the future Shingen), his first son who was antagonistic to his father, and his powerful retainers including Nobukara Itagaki (板垣信方, ?-1548) and Torayasu Amari (甘利虎泰, ?1498-1548) expelled Nobutora to Suruga.  People supported Harunobu's act against his father because they showed resentment at Nobutora because of the series of heavy taxes to cover the series of foreign expeditions.  Thus Harunobu soon became the 19th lord the Takeda clan in 1541.   Later, Nobutora lived in Suruga under the aegis of his son-in-law Yoshimoto Imagawa.  However, after Yoshimoto was killed by the army of Nobunaga Oda (織田信長, 1534-1582) at the Battle of Okehazama (桶狭間の戦い) in Owari-no-kuni (尾張国) on June 12, 1560 (3rd year of Eiroku [永禄3年5月19日], Nobutora was out of] the swim of things with his nephew Ujizane Imagawa (今川氏真, 1538-1615), the 10th and last lord of the Imagawa clan.  So he left Suruga and informed Shingen that the Imagawa clan was about to decline.   Then Nobutora went to Kyoto and lived in Gojo Street (五条) with the support of Sanetsuna Sanjo (三条 実綱, 1562-1581), elder brother of Shingen's legal wife Lady Sanjo (三条夫人) and also with Shingen's financial support.  After Shingen's death in the 4th year of Genki (元亀4年; AD 1573) Nobutora asked his grand son Katsuyori Takeda (武田勝頼, 1546-1582) to permit him to return to "Kai-no-kuni" and lived with his fourth son Nobukado Takeda (武田信廉, 1532-1582) at Takato-jo Castle, Shinano (信濃高遠城) until his death on March 5 in the 2nd year of Tensho (天正2年; AD 1574) at the age of 81.  His funeral was held at Daisen-ji Temple (大泉寺).
	ykf2007-160	(Sunday 20 October) The mausoleum hall of the 18th lord Nobutora Takeda (1494-1574), Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-162	(Sunday 20 October) Interior of the mausoleum hall of the 18th lord Nobutora Takeda (1494-1574), Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City.  Three pictures are of the last three generations of the Takeda clan, Nobutora, Shingen (1521-1573) and Katsuyori (1546-1582).
	ykf2007-164	(Sunday 20 October) Interior of the mausoleum hall of the 18th lord Nobutora Takeda (1494-1574), Man-nen-zan Daisen-ji Temple, 5015 Kofuchu-cho, Kofu City.  Three pictures are of the last three generations of the Takeda clan, Nobutora, Shingen (1521-1573) and Katsuyori (1546-1582).
Chozen-ji Temple		Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple (瑞雲山 長禅寺), 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City (甲府市愛宕町208), is the top of the Five Great Buddhist Temples of Kofu (甲府五山) Shingen Takeda chose.  It belongs to the Rinzai-shu Myoshinji-sect (臨済宗妙心寺派).  This temple was built by Shingen for his mother Lady Oi (大井夫人, 1497-1552)'s grave in the 21st year of Tenbun (天文21年) or AD 1552,The founder was Gempaku Gishu (岐秀元伯, ?-1562), Shingen's Zen master of Buddhism, etc.  Shingen studied Confucianism, Zen Buddhism and basic statecraft from Gempaku Gishu at this temple.  Later Shingen became a Buddhist priest here with the guide of Gempaku Gishu in the 2nd year of Eiroku (永禄2年) or AD 1559.
	ykf2007-168	(Sunday 20 October) "So-mon" (総門), Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-169	(Sunday 20 October) "So-mon," Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-170	(Sunday 20 October) The inner gate of Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-171	(Sunday 20 October) The belfry, Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-173	(Sunday 20 October) The three-storied pagoda (三重塔), Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-174	(Sunday 20 October) The five-storied pagoda (五重塔), Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-175	(Sunday 20 October) The five-storied pagoda, Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-178	(Sunday 20 October) "Hon-do," Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-182	(Sunday 20 October) The signpost and approach to the graveyard of Lady Oi (大井夫人, 1497-1552), Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City.   Lady Oi or Oi-no-kata (大井の方) was born in the 6th year of Meio (明応6年; AD 1497) in the west of "Kai-no-kuni" (甲斐国; now Yamanashi) as a daughter of Nobusato Oi (大井 信達, ?-?), the landlord of Ueno-jo Castle (上野城) who belonged to the Kai-Genji-clan (甲斐源氏).  She legally married Nobutora Takeda( 武田 信虎, 1494-1574), the 18th lord of the Takeda clan in the 17th year of Eisho (永正17年; 1520), but she came to Kofu as a political hostage because her father often compete for dominance with the Takeda clan by associating with the neighboring the Imagawa clan (今川氏) of "Suruga-no-kuni" (駿河国; now central Shizuoka).   She gave birth to their daughter Jokei-in (定恵院, 1519-1550) who became the legal wife of Yoshimoto Imagawa (今川 義元, 1519-1560), their first son Shingen Takeda (武田信玄, 1521-1573), their second son Nobushige Takeda (武田 信繁, 1525-1561) and their third son Nobukado Takeda (武田信廉, 1532-1582).  Even after her husband Nobutora was banished to Suruga by Shingen in 1541, she remained in Kofu as if nothing happened to herself.  She was known as a warm, considerate and intellectual lady while she was also a pious Buddhist.  Later she invited Gempaku Gishu (岐秀 元伯, ?-1562) from Zuisen-ji Temple (瑞泉寺), Owari (尾張; now Tsushima City, Aichi [愛知県 津島市]).
	ykf2007-184	(Sunday 20 October) The graveyard of Lady Oi (大井夫人, 1497-1552), Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-185	(Sunday 20 October) The gravestone of Lady Oi (大井夫人, 1497-1552), Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-186	(Sunday 20 October) The gravestone of Lady Oi (大井夫人, 1497-1552), Zuiun-zan Chozen-ji Temple, 208 Atago-cho, Kofu City
Toko-ji Temple		Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple (法蓋山 東光寺), 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City (甲府市東光寺町3-7-37), is one of the Five Great Buddhist Temples of Kofu (甲府五山) Shingen Takeda chose.  It belongs to the Rinzai-shu Myoshin-ji sect (臨済宗 妙心寺派) of Zen Buddhism.   The origin of Toko-ji Temple can date back to Kokoku-ji Temple (興国寺), an esoteric Buddhist temple, built by Saburo Yoshimitsu Shinra (新羅 三郎 義光, 1045-1127), a younger brother of Yoshiie Minamoto (源 義家, 1039-1106) in the 2nd year of Hoan (保安2年 or AD 1121).  In the 3rd year of Kocho (弘長3年; AD 1263) the famous Chinese monk Doryu Rankei (蘭渓 道隆, Lanqi Daolong; b Sichuan Province, 1213; d Kamakura, 1278) came from Kencho-ji Temple (建長寺), Kamakura and changed this temple as one of the Rinzai-shu sect.  In the 10th year of Tensho (天正10年; AD 1582), however, most temple buildings were burnt down by the army of Nobunaga Oda (織田 信長, 1534-1582).  The only surviving building now is "Butsu-den" (仏殿; the Buddhist Hall) built during the Tenbun era (天文年間, 1532-1555) with the financial support of Shingen Takeda (1521-1573).   The temple has kept the graves of Yorishige Suwa (諏訪 頼重, 1516-1542), uncle of Katsuyori Takeda (武田 勝頼, 1546-1582), and of Yoshinobu Takeda (武田 義信, 1538-1567), the first son of Shingen Takeda: Both of them were confined in this temple by Shingen and got suicide (harakiri [切腹]) here.
	ykf2007-188	(Sunday 20 October) The sketch map of Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-189	(Sunday 20 October) "So-mon" (総門; the front gate), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-190	(Sunday 20 October) The approach to the "Chu-mon" (中門; the inner gate), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-192	(Sunday 20 October) Small shrines by the approach to the "Chu-mon" (中門; the inner gate), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-193	(Sunday 20 October) "Chu-mon" (中門; the inner gate), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-194	(Sunday 20 October) The waiting room inside of the "Chu-mon" (中門; the inner gate), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-196	(Sunday 20 October) "Hon-do" (本堂; Main Hall), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City.  It enshrines "Shaka-nyorai" (釈迦如来; Shakyamuni Tathagata; the Incarnation of Truth) as the main image.
	ykf2007-197	(Sunday 20 October) Interior of the "Hon-do" (本堂; Main Hall), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-199	(Sunday 20 October) "Butsu-den" (仏殿; the Buddhist Hal), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City.  it is the only surviving building built during the Tenbun era (天文年間, 1532-1555) with the financial support of Shingen Takeda (1521-1573).  This wooden building has miraculously remained the same as the original was for more than 450 years over Nobunaga Oda's attack in 1582 and the U.S. air raid on July 6, 1945 (甲府大空襲) during World War II.
	ykf2007-200	(Sunday 20 October) "Butsu-den" (仏殿; the Buddhist Hal), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-202	(Sunday 20 October) Interior of "Butsu-den" (仏殿; the Buddhist Hal), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City.  The main image is "Yakushi-nyorai" (薬師如来; Bhechadjaguru-tathagata; the Physician of Souls), although the artifice date is unknown.  Thus this hall is also called "Yakushi-do" (薬師堂; Hall of the Physician of Souls).
	ykf2007-204	(Sunday 20 October) "Butsu-den" (仏殿; the Buddhist Hal), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-207	(Sunday 20 October) The garden of Toko-ji Temple (東光寺庭園), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City.  It was designed by the Chinese monk Doryu Rankei (蘭渓 道隆, Lanqi Daolong; b. Sichuan Province, 1213; d. Kamakura, 1278).  This landscape is in a Chinese style.
	ykf2007-208	(Sunday 20 October) The garden of Toko-ji Temple (東光寺庭園), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City.  It was designed by the Chinese monk Doryu Rankei (蘭渓 道隆, Lanqi Daolong; b. Sichuan Province, 1213; d. Kamakura, 1278).  This landscape is in a Chinese style.
	ykf2007-209	(Sunday 20 October) The garden of Toko-ji Temple (東光寺庭園), Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City.  It was designed by the Chinese monk Doryu Rankei (蘭渓 道隆, Lanqi Daolong; b. Sichuan Province, 1213; d. Kamakura, 1278).  This landscape is in a Chinese style.
	ykf2007-210	(Sunday 20 October) The inner garden, Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City
	ykf2007-211	(Sunday 20 October) A room facing the garden of Toko-ji Temple, Hogai-zan Toko-ji Temple, 3-7-37 Tokoji-cho, Kofu City.  With the letter of the tablet "Myoshin" (妙心), which reminds us that this temple belongs to the Rinzai-shu Myoshin-ji sect (臨済宗 妙心寺派) of Zen Buddhism.
Kai-Zenko-ji Temple		Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple (定額山 浄知院 甲斐善光寺) or Kofu/Koshu-Zenko-ji Temple (甲府/甲州善光寺) is in 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City (甲府市善光寺3-36-1).  It belongs to the Jodo-shu sect (浄土宗) of Buddhism.  It enshrines the Three Statues of Amitabha in Zenko-ji Style (善光寺式阿弥陀三尊; a private collection).   Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple was built by Shingen Takeda (武田信玄, 1521-1573), the 19th lord of Takeda clan) in the 1st year of Eiroku (永禄元年; AD 1558).  The founder was Kyoku (鏡空) the 37th head priest of Shinano-Zenko-ji Temple (信濃 善光寺大本願第37世).  At that time, Shingen had fought with Kagetora Nagaka (長尾 景虎; in 1560 renamed as Kenshin Uesugi [上杉謙信], 1530-1578) at the Five Battles of Kawanakajima (川中島の戦い, 1553, 1555, 1557, 1561 and 1564) in Zenkoji-daira (善光寺平) in the south of the present Nagano City (長野市).  During the second battle in the 1st year of Koji (弘治元年; AD 1555) the flames of war spread to Shinano-Zenko-ji Temple.  So Shingen, known as a pious believer of Buddhism, ordered to move the principal images and other treasures to his "Kai-no-kuni" (甲斐国) while Kagetora [Kenshin] did the same things in his "Echigo-no-kuni" (越後国), because the Kurita family (栗田氏) the stewards of Shinano-Zenko-ji Temple was divided into supporters of the Takeda clan and those of the Uesugi clan at that time.
	ykf2007-212	(Sunday 20 October) Signpost of Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City
	ykf2007-216	(Sunday 20 October) "San-mon" (山門; Front Gate, 15 m high and 17 m wide), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City.  The present building was restored in the 4th year of Meiwa (明和4年; AD 1766) after the 1754 Great Fire (宝暦4年の大火).
	ykf2007-219	(Sunday 20 October) "Hon-do" (本堂; Main Hall) through the "San-mon" (山門; the Front Gate), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City
	ykf2007-220	(Sunday 20 October) "O-Seki-basan no Ishi" (お咳婆さんの石; Auld Aunt Cough's Stone), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City.   As legend tells, if you suffer from whooping-cough, pray to the stone with a promise in front of this stone: "I will devote candies to you when my health is quite recovered."  It will work for your throat very well.  In fact, there are some other stones with the same power around this area.
	ykf2007-221	(Sunday 20 October) "Hon-do" (本堂), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City.  The original building was constructed in the 8th year of Eiroku (永禄8年; AD 1565), and it was reconstructed in the 8th year of Kansei (寛政8年; AD 1796) after the 1754 Great Fire (宝暦4年の大火).  It enshrines the Three bronze seated statues of Amitabha made by Joson (定尊 a monk from Owari (尾張) in the 6th year of Kenkyu (建久6年; AD 1195) (no photographing permitted).
	ykf2007-222	(Sunday 20 October) Hon-do" (本堂), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City.  The original building was constructed in the 8th year of Eiroku (永禄8年; AD 1565), and it was reconstructed in the 8th year of Kansei (寛政8年; AD 1796) after the 1754 Great Fire (宝暦4年の大火).
	ykf2007-223	(Sunday 20 October) The incense-stick hall and the "Hon-do" (本堂), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City.  The original building was constructed in the 8th year of Eiroku (永禄8年; AD 1565), and it was reconstructed in the 8th year of Kansei (寛政8年; AD 1796) after the 1754 Great Fire (宝暦4年の大火).
	ykf2007-224	(Sunday 20 October) Hon-do" (本堂), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City.  The original building was constructed in the 8th year of Eiroku (永禄8年; AD 1565), and it was reconstructed in the 8th year of Kansei (寛政8年; AD 1796) after the 1754 Great Fire (宝暦4年の大火).
	ykf2007-225	(Sunday 20 October) Hon-do" (本堂), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City.  The original building was constructed in the 8th year of Eiroku (永禄8年; AD 1565), and it was reconstructed in the 8th year of Kansei (寛政8年; AD 1796) after the 1754 Great Fire (宝暦4年の大火).
	ykf2007-226	(Sunday 20 October) Plaque of the "Zenko-ji" (善光寺), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City.  The original building was constructed in the 8th year of Eiroku (永禄8年; AD 1565), and it was reconstructed in the 8th year of Kansei (寛政8年; AD 1796) after the 1754 Great Fire (宝暦4年の大火).
	ykf2007-227	(Sunday 20 October) Hon-do" (本堂), Jyogaku-zan Jochi-in Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City.  The original building was constructed in the 8th year of Eiroku (永禄8年; AD 1565), and it was reconstructed in the 8th year of Kansei (寛政8年; AD 1796) after the 1754 Great Fire (宝暦4年の大火).  It enshrines the three bronze seated statues of Amitabha made by Joson (定尊 a monk from Owari (尾張) in the 6th year of Kenkyu (建久6年; AD 1195) (no photographing permitted).
	ykf2007-229	(Sunday 20 October) The pond with the taste of Basho Matsuo (松尾芭蕉, 1644-1694), Kai-Zenko-ji Temple, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City
	ykf2007-233	(Sunday 20 October) Me with the main hall of Kai-Zenko-ji Temple in the background

        

Copyright (c) 2007 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.