Toyokawa City (豊川市) is a medium-sized city along River Toyokawa (豊川川) in the eastern part of Aichi Prefecture, Japan.  The city, founded on June 1, 1943, originally comprised the three formerly independent County Hoi (宝飯郡) towns of Toyokawa (豊川町), Kokufu (国府町), Ushikubo (牛久保町), and the village of Yawata (八幡村).  Toyokawa is blessed with a good balance of industry, commerce, agriculture and forestry spread over its 150.71 sq. km boundary, and is situated in an area rich in history, traditions, and culture.  The current population is 161,312 (March 1, 2009) and the density is 1,070 persons/sq. km.
  Toyokawa Town was originally developed as a temple town of Toyokawa-inari (豊川稲荷).  During the Edo period, Toyokawa's Goyu-cho (御油町) was separated from Toyokawa and was known as Goyu-shuku (御油宿).  It thrived as a post town along the Tokai-do Highway (東海道), a historical travel route.
  During World War II, the Toyokawa Naval Base (豊川海軍工廠) was the site of an important munitions factory complex.  Numerous civilians were employed in the manufacture of arms and ammunition for the war effort.  These civilian employees of the Imperial Navy were mainly from the local Mikawa Region (三河地方; eastern Aichi), and included many high school and junior high school girls.  According to a memorial plaque erected in downtown Toyokawa, the naval base was the target of an air raid by American bombers on the night of August 7, 1945.  About 2500 people were killed in the raid (the spirits of some of these victims were later enshrined at Yasukuni-jinjya Shrine (靖国神社) in Tokyo, where their photos can still be seen).  This air raid made Toyokawa the last place to be targeted using conventional explosive and incendiary bombs in the closing days of World War II.  The significance of this event in history has been overshadowed by the fact that it occurred the day after Hiroshima (広島) was destroyed by an atomic bomb, and two days before an atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki (長崎).  (Main reference: "Toyokawa, Aichi: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia")

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Two Toyokawa Stations

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(Thursday 19 March) JR Toyokawa Station

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(Thursday 19 March) Inside of JR Toyokawa Station: A poster for Toyokawa as Kansuke Yamamoto (山本勘助)'s hometown. Kansuke Yamamoto was a legendary senior staff officer of Shingen Takeda (武田信玄). See below.

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(Thursday 19 March) Inside of JR Toyokawa Station: A tourist campaign ad for the city featuring numerous statues of "O-inari-sama" (お稲荷; the fox deity) of Toyokawa-inari.

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(Thursday 19 March) Nagoya-tesudo (名古屋鉄道) or Meitesu (名鉄) Toyokawa Station next to JR Toyokawa Station

Toyokawa-inari

Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple (円福山 豊川閣 妙厳寺) is widely known as Toyokawa-inari (豊川稲荷). It is not a Shinto shrine but a Buddhist temple. The address is 1 Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture. In the 1st year of Bun-ei (文永元年) or AD 1264, Giin Kangan (寒厳義尹) went to the Sung Dynasty China (宋; 960-1279) to learn Esoteric Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1267 when he was guarded by "Dakini-ten" (荼吉尼天; Skt. Dakini; the female demon which is identified with the spirit of fox deity). Later, his desciple Gieki Tokai (東海義易) enshrines the deity here in Toyokawa as Toyokawa Dakinishi-ten (豊川咤枳尼真天). It belongs to the Soto-shu sect of Buddhism (曹洞宗). The legend began in 1441, and became the implicit belief of many warriors such as Yoshimoto Imagawa (今川義元), Nobunaga Oda (織田信長), Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣秀吉) and Ieyasu Tokugawa (徳川家康). As the belief in this concept of a god of business prosperity and family well-being spread nationwide, millions of people began visiting here every year. This is one of the three major Japanese Inari gods, including the Fushimi-inari-jinjya Shrine (伏見稲荷大社) in Kyoto. The other Inari shrine is, according to Toyokawa-inari, Yutoku-inari-jinjya Shrine (祐徳稲荷神社) in Kashima City, Saga (佐賀県鹿島市), although some people believe it must be Kasama-inari-jinjya Shrine (笠間稲荷神社), Kasama City, Ibaraki.

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(Thursday 19 March) On the approach to Toyokawa-inari

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(Thursday 19 March) On the approach to Toyokawa-inari

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(Thursday 19 March) Illustrated map of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "So-mon" (総門) or the Grand Temple Gate to Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. This gate was reconstructed by the 29th chief priest Mokudo-zenji (黙童禅師) in the 17th year of Meiji (明治17年) or AD 1884.

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(Thursday 19 March) Open-air stalls in the precincts of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Chinjyu-do Hall (鎮守堂) or Ryuten-do Hall (龍天堂), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. Originally built as a "Kagura-den" (神楽殿; the Sacred Dance Hall), it was reconstructed in the 5th year of Showa (昭和5年) or AD 1939. It enshrines "Hakusan-Myori-Dai-Gongen" (白山妙理大権現), the guardian saint of Soto-shu sect of Buddhism after the sect founder Dogen-zenji (道元禅師)..

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(Thursday 19 March) "Shoro-do Hall" (鐘楼堂; the Belfry), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. The present structure was built in the 12th year of Showa (昭和12年) or AD 1938.

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(Thursday 19 March) Stone Shrine Gate to the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) One of the first pair of the stone-carved guardian foxes at the Shrine Gate of the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) The other of the first pair of the stone-carved guardian foxes at the Shrine Gate of the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Jiho-kan" (寺宝館) or the temple treasure house, Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was built in the 5th year of Heisei (平成5年) or AD 1993.

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(Thursday 19 March) Stone approach to the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Go-hon-den" (御本殿) or the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was reconstructed in the 6th year of Showa (昭和6年) or AD 1930.

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(Thursday 19 March) "Go-hon-den" (御本殿) or the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was reconstructed in the 6th year of Showa (昭和6年) or AD 1930.

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(Thursday 19 March) One of the second pair of the stone-carved guardian foxes by the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) An old metal lantern near the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Go-hon-den" (御本殿) or the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was reconstructed in the 6th year of Showa (昭和6年) or AD 1930.

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(Thursday 19 March) "Go-hon-den" (御本殿) or the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was reconstructed in the 6th year of Showa (昭和6年) or AD 1930.

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(Thursday 19 March) "Go-hon-den" (御本殿) or the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was reconstructed in the 6th year of Showa (昭和6年) or AD 1930.

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(Thursday 19 March) Another old metal lantern near the main hall of Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) The corridor from "Go-hon-den" (御本殿) or the main hall to "Houn-den" Hall (宝雲殿), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Horaku-den" Hall (豊楽殿, built in the 7th year of Bunsei [文政7年] or AD 1824), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Zen-do" (禅堂) or "Mando-do" (万燈堂) Hall (built in the 3rd year of Bunkyu [文久3年] or AD 1863), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Fudomyo-o-do" Hall (不動明王堂), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) The three-storied pagoda (三重の塔), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) The three-storied pagoda (三重の塔), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Kobo-do" Hall (弘法堂), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Information board of "Daikoku-do" Hall (大黒堂), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It explains that "Giving up egoism, incant the mantra "Onmaka Kyaraya Sowaka" and rub the enshrined statue of "Daikoku-ten (大黒天; Skt. Mahakala; the god of wealth) softly. Then you will receive divine favors."

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(Thursday 19 March) "Daikoku-do" Hall (大黒堂), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) The entrance monument to "Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) The entrance to "Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) A monument on the approach to "Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Approach to "Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Approach to "Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Reiko-zuka" (霊菰塚; the Fox Deity's Mound), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Oku-no-in" Hall (奥の院; the Inner Temple Hall), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Interior or "Oku-no-in" Hall (奥の院; the Inner Temple Hall), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Nofu-do" Hall (納符堂), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. This is the place where worshippers or visitors should return their old amulets.

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(Thursday 19 March) Keiun-mon Gate (景雲門), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was built in the 5th year of Ansei (安政5年) or AD 1858.

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(Thursday 19 March) Keiun-mon Gate (景雲門), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was built in the 5th year of Ansei (安政5年) or AD 1858.

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(Thursday 19 March) Keiun-mon Gate (景雲門), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was built in the 5th year of Ansei (安政5年) or AD 1858.

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(Thursday 19 March) "Ha-tto" Hall (法堂, b. 1813), also called "Hon-do" (本堂), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Interior or "Hatto" Hall (法堂, b. 1813), also called "Hon-do" (本堂), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) Saisho-den Hall (最祥殿, b.1928), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "Chozu-sya" (手水舎; the washing place), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) "San-mon" Gate (山門; the temple gate), Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple. It was donated by Yoshimoto Imagawa (今川 義元) in the 5th year of Tembun (天文5年) or AD 1536.

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(Thursday 19 March) One of the two Deva kings (仁王) of the "San-mon" Gate, Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

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(Thursday 19 March) The other of the two Deva kings (仁王) of the "San-mon" Gate, Toyokawa-inari or Empuku-zan Toyokawa-kaku Myogon-ji Temple

Yakushi-nyorai-do

Toyokawa Yakushi-nyorai-do Hall (豊川薬師如来堂) stands along the approach to Toyokawa-inari. Yakushi-nyorai is Skt. Bhechadjaguru Tathagata (the Physician of Souls). This shrine enshrines "Yakushi-Ruri-ko-nyorai" (薬師瑠璃光如来; Bhechadjaguru Tathagata Lighted in Lapis Lazuli).

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(Thursday 19 March) Gate to Toyokawa Yakushi-nyorai-do Hall along the approach to Toyokawa-inari

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(Thursday 19 March) Toyokawa Yakushi-nyorai-do Hall along the approach to Toyokawa-inari

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(Thursday 19 March) Interior of Toyokawa Yakushi-nyorai-do Hall along the approach to Toyokawa-inari

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(Thursday 19 March) Toyokawa Yakushi-nyorai-do Hall along the approach to Toyokawa-inari. This explains the mantra for prayers: Namaste [Join your hands] and chant the mantra "Onko Roko Rossen Da Ryoma Tuu Gyusowa Ka" seven times or twenty-one times."

Soga-no-ken

Soga-no-ken (曽我の軒) is located at 46 Monzen-cho, Toyokawa City (豊川市門前町46) along the approach to Toyokawa-inari. This restaurant specializes Japanese eel dishes, Kishi-men noodles (きしめん) and Inari-zushi (稲荷寿司).

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(Thursday 19 March) Soga-no-ken, 46 Monzen-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Inside of Soga-no-ken, 46 Monzen-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) My lunch at Soga-no-ken

Raion

Raion (来恩) is a traditional Japanese-style restaurant/hotel along the approach to Toyokawa-inari. It is located at 10 Monzen-cho, Toyokawa City (豊川市門前町10). Unfortunately it was closed when I visited.

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(Thursday 19 March) Raion, 10 Monzen-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Raion, 10 Monzen-cho, Toyokawa City

Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji

Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple (龍雲山 三明寺) was reportedly founded at the request of Emperor Monmu (文武天皇;Emperor Karu [珂瑠]; 683-707;r.697-707). It is located east of Toyokawa Station; 5 minutes' walk. The address is 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City (豊川市豊川町波通37).

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(Thursday 19 March) The information board of Koetsu Hongan's mound (本願光悦の塚), Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City. Born in Dewa-no-kuni (出羽の国; now Yamagata), Koetsu built temple buildings here about 450 years ago. When he noticed that his life would not be so long, he decided to attain Nirvana after hard Buddhist training. Spending in the mound chanting Buddhist scriptures for seven days, he passed away in this mound in early spring of the 2nd year of Koji [弘治2年] or AD 1556.

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(Thursday 19 March) Koetsu Hongan's mound (本願光悦の塚), Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Stone Shrine Gate to Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Many statues of Jizo (Skt. Ksitigarbha; guardian deities of children), Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) The Three-storied pagoda (三重の塔; b. 4th year of Kyoroku [享禄4年]; or AD 1531) of Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall; b. 2nd year of Shotoku [正徳2年] or AD 1712) over the stone bridge, Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall; b. 2nd year of Shotoku [正徳2年] or AD 1712), Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) "Toyokawa Benzaison-ten" (豊川辨財尊天; Hall of Sarasvati; the goddess of fortune) in the main hall of Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) A shrine in the precinct of Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) A cherry-tree in Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Gate to "Shakyo Dojo" (写経道場; the school of copying sutras), Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Shakyo Dojo" (写経道場; the school of copying sutras), Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) A hall to pay the price of escaping evil (厄除け), Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) A drooping cherry-tree (枝垂れ桜), Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) A drooping cherry-tree (枝垂れ桜), Ryu-un-zan Sanmyo-ji Temple, 37 Hadori, Toyokawa-cho, Toyokawa City

JR Ushikubo Station

JR Ushikubo Station (JR牛久保駅) along JR Iida Line (JR飯田線) in Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) JR Ushikubo Station in Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) "Kansuke Yamamoto's country (山本勘助のふるさと): Ad for the 2007 NHK Taiga Drama Furinkazan (『風林火山』), JR Ushikubo Station

Kansuke Yamamoto's Grave

Kansuke Yamamoto (山本 勘助, ?1493-1561)'s grave stands in the precinct of Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple (武運山 長谷寺). It belongs to the Jodo-shu sect (浄土宗) of Buddhism. It enshrines the image of "Jyuichi-men Kanzeon-bosatsu" (十一面観世音菩薩; Skt. Ekadaza Mukha: the Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara). The address is 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City (豊川市牛久保町八幡口97). Kansuke Yamamoto, the legendary strategist of Shingen Takeda (武田 信玄) was reportedly born in Kamo Village of Hachina County (八名郡 賀茂村; now Kamo-cho, Toyohashi City) in the 2nd year of Meio (明応2年) or AD 1493 as the third son of Toshichiro Yamamoto (山本 藤七郎). At the age of fifteen, he was called Gensuke (源助) in his infancy. He was adopted by Kanzaemon Sadatsugu Obayashi (大林 勘左衛門 貞次), a retainer of the Makino family (牧野家), Ushikubo (牛窪): He was renamed as Kansuke Sadayuki Obayashi (大林 勘助 貞幸) and stayed here until he went on a knight-errantry tour in Western Japan at the age of twenty-six. When he returned home at the age of thirty-five, his step-father had a new biological son. So Kansuke said goodbye to Kanzaemon and renamed as Kansuke Yamamoto. After another knight-errantry tour in the Kanto District, he began to serve for Shingen Takeda at the age of forty-five. Kansuke rendered distinguished services for the Takeda troops as a strategist. However, he died in the battlefield of Kawanakajima (now part of Nagano City) on September 10th in the 4th year of Eiroku (永禄4年) [in the lunar calendar] or October, 18th, 1651. Throughout his life, Kansuke kept a good friendship with the local people or Ushikubo including Nenshu (念宗), the priest of Chokoku-ji Temple. When Kansuke entered priesthood and renamed Dokisai (道鬼斉), he sent his hair to Nenshu. Knowing Kansuke's death, Nenshu, putting Kansuke's hair, built a gravestone composed of five pieces piled up one upon another representing, from the bottom upward, earth, water, fire, wind, and heaven respectively (五輪塔). Also, this temple keeps Kansuke's talisman "Marishiten-son-zo" (摩利支天尊像; an amulet of Skt. Marici or a god of war). For further information of Shingen Takeda and the Battles of Kawanakajima, 1. Go to the Kofu page 2. Go to the Nagano City page.

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(Thursday 19 March) Stone inscription reading "Kansuke Yamamoto's Grave," in front of Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Two banners reading "Furinkazan Kansuke Yamamoto," Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) A small Inari-jinjya shrine in the precincts of Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Numerous stone images of Jizo (Skt. Ksitigarbha; a guardian deity of children), Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) "Hon-do" (the main hall), Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Hall of Marishiten (摩利支天堂Skt. Marici or a god of war), Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City. Reportedly it was Kansuke's talisman.

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(Thursday 19 March) Information board of the Marishiten-do (摩利支天堂; Hall of Skt. Marici or a god of war), Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) The graveyard walk with many banners reading "Kansuke Yamamoto's country," Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) (One of) Kansuke Yamamoto's grave(s), Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) (One of) Kansuke Yamamoto's grave(s), Buun-zan Chokoku-ji Temple, 97 Hachimanguchi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

Yoshimoto Imagwa's Grave

Yoshimoto Imagawa (今川義元, 1519-1560)'s grave stands in the precinct of Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple (牛顕山 大聖寺) near Ushikubo Station in Toyokawa City. It belongs to the Jodo-shu sect of Buddhism (浄土宗). The address is 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City (豊川市牛久保町岸組66). Yoshimoto Imagawa was a powerful lord of the three dominions, Suruga (駿河), Totomi (遠江) and Mikawa (三河) in the late sixteenth century. The Imagawa family (今川家) was one branch of the Ashikaga Shogunate (足利幕府). Well-prepared, Yoshimoto advanced his powerful troops towards Kyoto in early spring of the 3rd year of Eiroku (永禄3年) or AD 1560. However, in the middle or the way to Kyoto, his army was attacked by Nobunaga Oda's at Okehazama (桶狭間), Owari (尾張; the present west Aichi) on May 19th and Yoshimoto was killed during the battle. Although his head was taken away by Oda's soldiers, the Imagawa retainers managed to run away carrying his body and buried here putting the stone basin on the top of the mound in place of the gravestone. In the 6th year of Eiroku (永禄6年) or AD 1536 Yoshimoto's heir Ujizane Kazusanosuke Imagawa (今川 上総介 氏真, 1538-1615) held the 3rd annual memorial service here and secured the temple estate. Later the grave was well-made. On annual memorial service for Yoshimoto has been held by the local people.

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(Thursday 19 March) Signboard of Lord Yoshimoto Imagawa's Grave, Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple, 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Memorial stones in front of Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple, 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) San-mon Gate (山門) of Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple, 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Signboard of the graves of Lord Yoshimoto Imagawa and Lord Gyobu Isshiki (一色 刑部), Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple, 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Entrance to the graveyard, Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple, 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Grave of Lord Yoshimoto Imagawa, Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple, 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Grave of Lord Gyobu Isshiki, Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple, 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) Some Buddhist monument, Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple, 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

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(Thursday 19 March) "Hon-do" (the main hall), Gyuken-zan Daisho-ji Temple, 66 Kishigumi, Ushikubo-cho, Toyokawa City

        

Copyright (c) 2009 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.