Ryoma Sakamoto Memorial Museum in Kochi

 

Ryoma Sakamoto is one of the most popular figures in the creation of modern Japan in the so-called Meiji Restoration that ended the rule of the Shogun and restored Imperial rule in 1868.

He was a low-ranking samurai born in what is now Kochi, west of Kochi Castle. A small museum dedicated to him now stands at his birthplace, but the biggest one is located south of Kochi City overlooking Katsurahama Beach.

He was assassinated in Kyoto in 1867 by pro-shogunate elements, possibly connected to the famed shinsengumi.

It is said that Katsurahama Beach was a favorite spot of Sakamoto's, and a big statue of him was  erected there  in 1939.

Not far away, in 1991, a striking museum was opened dedicated to Ryoma.

While personally not having much interest in Ryoma Sakamoto, I was intrigued by the architecture. Designed by Hiroshi and Akiko Takahashi, and was their first project together.

I took these photos in late November, 2011, on the 17th day of my walk around the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage. The previous post in the series was from the evening before in Kochi City at Yosakoi Inari Shrine. The closest pilgrimage temple is Sekkeiji.

Kochi Daijingu & Yosakoi Inari Shrine

 

Kochi Daijingu is located just outside the main gate of Kochi Castle, and within the grounds is Yosakoi Inari Shrine.

Kochi Daijingu, with its unique golden torii, is a branch of Ise Shrine, but I can not find much info on it beyond that it was established in 1873. The Inari shrine is far more popular and has more info.

There were a lot of chickens wandering around the grounds, something I have seen before at shrines, but not so very often....

The Inari Shrine was renamed Yosakoi Inari quite recently in honor of Kochi being the origin of the Yosakoi dance.

The shrine originally was in the property of the Yamauchi Clan, and was moved to Kochi when the clan sold their property in early Meiji. I believe it was originally in Kyoto as a few of the enshrined kami are specifically local Kyoto kami.

As a branch of Ise, the Daijingu enshrines Amaterasu. The chicken has been considered the messenger of Amaterasu in the same way that the fox is considered the messenger of Inari.

Consequently, there are no komainu at the shrine, just a pair of recently added chicken statues and the usual foxes.

The previous post from day 16 of my walk along the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage was Kochi Castle.

Kochi Castle

 

Kochi Castle is not one of the biggest Japanese castles, but is known as being the best preserved.

Whereas only 12 Japanese castles still have their original tenshu, central tower or keep, Kochi castle is the only one that retains all of the original structures within the Honmaru, or inner bailey.

This includes the Daimyo's "palace" which was attached to the main keep.

Kochi Castle is situated on top of a small hill in the middle of what is now Kochi City on the southern coast of Shikoku.

Fortifications had been built upon the hill, Otakayama, during the late Heian or Early Kamakura Periods, After being defeated by Hideyoshi in 1585, Motochika Chosokabe started to build a new castle on top of the older fortifications, but because the area was prone to flooding moved to Urado on the coast to the south.

In 1600, following the Battle of Sekigahara, control of the domain was given to the Yamauchi Clan and they decided Urado castle was not suitable so began enlarging the castle on Otakayama which was renamed Kawanakayama Castle and later Kochi Castle.

A major fire burned down most of the castle in 1727 and it was rebuilt from 1729 until 1753. Most of the current buildings date from this period.

As well as the main keep and the Daimyo's palace, six gates still remain.

The Yamanouchi held the castle until it was decommissioned in 1868.

It was spared the government ordered destruction that befell the vast majority of Edo Period castles, and also was unscathed during the bombings of WWII

Major repairs were undertaken in the postwar period. Just outside the castle is a castle museum with extensive displays.

I visited at the end of my 16th day walking the Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage. The previous post in this series was Hata Shrine. The previous castle I posted about was Tsuyama Castle.

Tanezaki to Kajigaura Ferry

 

On the Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage, between temple 32, Zenjibuji, and temple 33, Sekkeiji, lies Urado Bay which must be crossed.

The bay narrows to just a few hundred meters at its mouth, and a new bridge, Urado Bridge, carries vehicle traffic 50 meters above the water. It was built in 1972.

Pilgrims on foot or bicycle continue to take a more traditional crossing by ferry.

The ferry connects Kajigaura on the East side of the bay with Tanezaki on the Nagahama side, a distance of about 600 meters

Only pedestrians, cyclists, and small motorbikes 125cc and under are allowed.

I am guessing that in historical times a ferry existed somewhere near here.

The previous post in this series that explores sights seen between the temples on the Ohenro Pilgrimage was Ishizuchi Shrine.

Makino Botanical Garden Kochi

 

Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden is located on top of a mountain, Godaisan, to the south of central Kochi City on Shikoku.

It is named after Tomitaro Makino ( 1862-1957 ), a local man who went on to become kniwn as the "Father of Japanese Botany".

It is not the easiest of places to visit, but for pilgrims who are walking the Shikoku pilgrimage, Ohenro, the route passes through part of the gardens on the way to Chikurinji Temple, the 31st pilgrimage temple which is adjacent. In fact, part of the garden used to be temple property.

The garden covers 6 hectares and contains more than 3,000 species of plants from local to exotic.

As well as a large conservatory there is a Makino Memorial Hall with exhibits on Makino and his work and also a restaurant and cafe. Ther are great views over the surrounding coutryside also.

The previous post in this series on walking the Ohenro was the Museum of Art Kochi.

Museum of Art Kochi

Museum of Art Kochi

On the 16th day of my walk along the Ohenro pilgrimage of Shikoku, I left my hotel near Kochi Station and headed south towards Chikurinji Temple, the next on the route.

I stopped by the Museum of Art, but it was too early and not open, so I didn't go in.

It is quite striking, looking like a cluster of oversized traditional storehouses.

It was designed by Nihon Sekkei, a very prolific company employing hundreds of architects. It opened in 1993.

Extensive use is made of shallow pools of water around the buildings.

The museum has a collection of over 40,000 artworks, including a lot by famed local artist Yasuhiro Ishimoto, but it is most well known for its large collection of works by Marc Chagall.