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Hakata Ward:
Higashi Park
In 1274 when the Mongolian
troops attacked Kyushu, this site was a main battle field. Now the battle field
has been turned into a public park. Within the park, there are bronze images of
the former Emperor Kameyama who was active in the battle, and Saint Nichiren.
There is also the Historical Hall of the Mongolian Invasion and Toka Ebisu
shrine, where the god of wrath, "Ebisu" is enshrined within the park.
Nireginu Mound
During the reign of
emperor Shomu, a daughter of the Most Reverend Priest in Chikuzen was falsely
charged with an unknown crime and was executed. This mound was erected when a
memorial service for her dead spirit was held here. a monument made in 1344
from the square stone is peculiar to the Japanese Middle Ages (1192-1602) and
the three letters of Sanskrit inscribed on the stone express images of Buddha
such as Vairocana byddha. Shogenji temple is located next to this mound on Mr.
Nureginu which was opened in 1669.
Historical Hall of the Mongolian Invasion
The Mongolian troops attacked Japan twice in the past, once in 1274
and again in 1281. Both times the troops failed to conquer this area, but
weapons used by the Mongolian and Japanese troops and paintings of the Mongolian
attacks described in the later days are on public view at this hall.
Hakata Historical Hall
This historical
hall is located within the precincts of Kushida shrine, which is highly
respected as the shrine of the guardian god of the town of Hakata. In the hall,
many historically important items are preserved, such as; the "Yamakasa
Picture Folding Screen" which is painted by each succeeding generation of
the Mitomo family, describing Fukuoka's biggest festival; and a startling large
tablet of a big horse used for the float race during the Yamakasa festival.
The Ruins of Kamiya Sotan's Villa
Kamiya
Sotan (1533-1635) was a leading trader in the town of Hakata. His great
grandfather, Jutei was a founder of the Iwami silver mine. In 1587, he had the
honor of meeting with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the famous war lord, at a tea ceremony
held at Osaka Castle, at which time he was dubbed the "Monk of Chikushi."
Sotan was also a tea master and often met with the best known tea master, Senno
Rikyu.
Hakata Matsubyashi
This is a New Year
custom held in order to pray for prosperity of the new year and is when people
bring into their homes a pine tree in which they believe that the Holy Spirit of
God dwells. Matsubayashi is a procession formed by three gods of wealth,
Fukujin, Ebisu and Daikoku with children taking part in the festival procession.
It is held each May on the 3rd and 4th during the Hakata Dontaku festival.
The Hakata Gion Yamagasa Festival
The
Hakata Gion Yamagasa festival originated from Gion Goryoe which began in the
Heian era (794-900). According to the legend of the shrine, it is said that the
beginning of this event was when the Most Reverend priest Shoichi Kaizan of the
Shoten temple went around the town of Hakata on a Buddhist ritual palanquin in
the Kamakura era in order to drive away an epidemic.
Hakata Textile Hall
It is said that the weaving
technique of Hakata textile was initiated at the time it was introduced by
Yasaemon Mitsuda (1202-1282) who accomplished Ben-en Enni to Sung, China.
Hakata textile which was chosen as an item to be presented to the Shogunate from
the Fukuoka clan was especially noted as the "Hakata Kenjo Sash."
Gingko Tree at Kushida Shrine
It is
unknown how old this ginko tree is, but a monument for the preservation of the
tree built in 1918 states that it is more than 1,000 years old. On auspicious
occasions, the tree is sung about in a ceremonial song: "What a grand
gingko tree this is! Still vivid and active. Full of branches and twigs. Full
of leaves."
Ruins of Shimai Soshitsu's Villa
Soshitsu
is one of the prominent Hakata traders who was active from the Azuchi Momoyama
era (1576-1600) to the early Edo era (1603-1867) and passed away in 1615. He
learned tea rituals from tea masters like Senno Rikyu and Furuta Oribe. On
1587, he played an important role when town land zoning under the order of
Hideyoshi was done.
Itchoken-Denpouchiku
This is a
shakuhachi (bamboo flute) which was played at Fumonzan Itchoken, a mendicant
priest's temple of the Fuke sect. The Fuke sect which was founded by Zen priest
Fuke of Tang, China is a unique sect where they devote themselves solely to
playing the bamboo flute in which they consider they would attain their highest
mental state.
Naka-Hachiman Ancient Tomb
This ancient
tomb is a keyhole-shaped tumulus, the oldest and largest in scale in the Fukuoka
plains and is the tomb for a leader in this area in the early Kofun (Burial
Mound) era (A.D. 300-600). It is 75 meters long, and 50 meters in diameter on
the rounded back which is 5 meters high.
Archeological Operation Center
This
center was establishedin February 1982 and aimsat arranging, preserving,
studying and displaying excavated items and documents from the excavation sites.
Excavated items and documents are on display and are available fror research by
people in various fields.
Kenzuka Ancient Tomb
This ancient
keyhole-shaped tumulus is estimated to be the tomb of a leader who reigned the
Fukuoka plains in the late 6th century. The tumulus is 140 meters long, 140
meters wide and 75 meters high.
Imasato-Fudo Ancient Tomb
This
round-shaped tomb is 34 meters in diameter and is located on top of a low hill
extending from Tsukuguma hill. The tomb has a corridor chamber made of granite
stones.
The Ruins of Hie
This 70 hectare (173
acre) sized ruin is located on a low hill extending to the south of JR Hakata
Station. Many old structures were found here which existed from the Yayoi era
(300 B.C. to 300 A.D.) to the Muromachi era (1392-1593). People settled here
sometime during the first half of the Yayoi era creating villages and bell-jar
graveyards. Moats were made around the villages in the second half of the era.
The Ruins of Kanenokuma
These ruins are
a historic spot which include many bell-jar graves which are unique to the Yayoi
era. The bell-jar graves and sacrofagi are maintained within a building in the
park and visitors can observe these tombs which are kept intact after having
been excavated. |
The Ruins of Itazuke
This is one of the
oldest farming villages in Japan. This village consists of houses and storage
holes on a hill which is surrounded by a V-shaped ditch running 80 meters tot he
east and west, and 110 meters to the north and south. The ditch is 2 to 4
meters wide and 2 to 3 meters deep. There are tombs outside of the ditch. Rice
paddies were made on the terraced fields which were raised a littleextending to
the east and west. There is an irrigation canal, a small dam, ridges, and water
inlets, and outlets for taking water to the fields.
Tsunashiki Shrine
Sugawara Michizane is inshrined at
this temple. The name of this shrine came from a legend that when michizane
landed at Sodeno-port, fishermen made a round rug out of his fishing nets and
set up a place for Michizane to rest. In the Edo era (1615-1868), this was
called the "Round Net Shrine."
Kushida Shrine
The grand deity of
Kushida Shrine, Ohata Nushina-mikoto and the grand deity of Gion Shrine,
Amaterasu-omikami are enshrined here. The shrine was built in 757 and is
worshipped as a guardian for the town of Hakata.
Mangyoji Temple
This belongs tot he
Shin-sect of the Nishihonganji school. Shoku is a disciple of Ren-nyo who
rejuvenated the Shin sect and started this temple. In 1529 he established a
martial arts hall at Fugendo town. There is also a tomb of the nun, Meigetsu,
who in her youth used to be a well known prostitute in the town of Hakata.
Manshiro Shrine
Koshiro and Mannosuke
Ito, children of Kozaemon Ito who was a trader in the early Edo era are
enshrined here. Kozaemon was executed in 1667 on charges of trafficking weapons
to Korea. His family members, including his children were apparently killed.
People felt sorry for them and decided to dedicate this shrine to them. Two of
his children are now deities for children's health.
Myotenji Temple
Priest Nisshu opened
this temple. There is a famous episode involving this temple: Preist nitchu of
Myokakuji temple in Kyoto had a heated religious debate on April 25, 1603 with
Missionary Furusawa who was faithfully trying to spread Christianity among the
Japanese. Nitchu, for winning the debate, was given a site for a temple by
Kuroda Nagamasa, the first feudal lord in Fukuoka in the Edo era and Nitchu
later built Shoko Zanshoryu-ji temple.
Sumiyoshi Shrine
This shrine is the
most time-honored in the Chikuzen area and presumably started the other "sumiyoshi"
shrines throughout the nation. The shrine used to be located at the edge of a
cape along the Naka river from where Hakata bay could be seen and where the
deity could be worshipped as the one who safeguards all vessels.
Zendoji Temple
Saint Shoko allegedly
built this temple from 1211 to 1213. After sustaining damage, it was rebuilt in
1477 and Emperor Gotsuchimikado and Ouchi Takayoshi offered prayers here. This
temple was famous throughout Japan as having the most treasures. The tomb of
the Somasaki family, master Hakata doll makers, is preserved here.
Torin-Ji Temple
Priest Shchu of Myokoji
and Tachibana Jitsuzan built the main building of this temple in 1696. Priest
Manzan of Kaga Daiijoii temple was then invited and opened this temple.
Jitsuzan was a leading retainer of the third feudal lord of the Kuroda family,
Kuroada Mitsuyuki.
Tochoji Temple
The principal image at
this temple is Bhddhist Saint Kobo, who returned from Tang, China in 806 after
religious practices and built a Buddhist temple near the beach to pray that this
sect will be transferred to Eastern Japan.
Waka-Hachiman Shrine
This shrine is
famous for the deity to drive off bad evil spirits because another pronunciation
for "waka" is "nyaku" which is smilar to "Yaku"
(evil) in sound. On New Year's Eve, when a festival is held to protect people
from bad fortunes, this shrine is crowded until very late at night.
Shofukuji Temple
In 1195 the Most
Reverend Priest Eisai, started building this temple. There is a large framed
piece of calligraphy hanging at the main gate written by former Emperor Gotoba
and reads, "This is the first Zen temple in Japan."
Myorakuji Temple
In 1316, Getsudo Soki,
a leading disciple of the Most Reverend Priest Daio opened this temple. This
temple used to be located at Okinohama Hakata Bay. chinese missions during the
Ming dynasty (1368-1644) came to Japan and stayed at this temple, thus showing
that iw was a place of diplomacy in the past.
Ryuguji Temple
Saint Kokua opened this
temple in 1222, a mermaid allegedly appeared from the sea and was believed to be
a good omen for the long prosperity of the nation. She was buried within the
precincts and the temple's name was then changed to "Ryuguji" (the
Sea-God's Palace.)
Jotenji Temple
Sha Kokumei built this
temple and the Reverand Priest Shoichi opened it. In 1975 mention of Chojuan
temple, a branch temple of Joten-ji temple, was found on a wooden board from a
shipwreck salvaged from the sea-bed off Shinan in South Korea. It proves the
involvement of Joten-ji temple in foreign trade in the past.
Tokoin Temple
The Buddhist Saint,
Saicho, opened this temple in 806. The principal image enshrined here is the "God
of Medicine." Since these assets were donated to the city, the city
designated this temple as a place of historic interest to utilize and preserve
for all people.
Sofukuji Temple
A priest, Tan-e,
originally paid for the construction of this temple at Mt. Yokotake in Dazaifu,
and the Most Reverend Priest, Daio, became its first priest. The temple became
the Kuroda Family temple after 1600 when Kuroda Nagamasa the feudal lord
reigning Fukuoka at that time moved the temple to its present site.
Hiyoshi Shrine
This shrine is nicknamed
Sanno-gu Palace. Sanno (Mountain King) is originally a nickname of the guardian
deity of the Enryakuji temple on Mt. hiei in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. It is
unknown when the spirit, the Mountain King, came to Hiyoshi shrine, but the name
of "Hie" is recorded during the Civil War (1336-1392). |
