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Places in Miyagi Connected to Date Masamune

 

ISHINOMAKI

 

Sant Juan Bautista Museum

A museum which contains information on Hasekura Tsunenaga’s trip to Europe and replica of the European style ship Date Masamunc had built to send him to there.

 

Sant Jaun Festival

Held in late May this festival celebrates the launch of the Sant Jaun Bautista and its mission to Europe.

 

 

IWADEYAMA

 

TheYubikan

Japan’s oldest Samurai school still in original condition.

 

Shiroyama Koen

The park on the site of Iwatesawa castle, with a big statute of Date Masamune in it.

 

The Date Masamune Festival

Held in September every year this festival celebrates Date Masamune’s move to Sendai by having a whole lot of people dress up as samurai and walk around Iwadeyama, as well as having really cool traditional dances (including dances from groups from Hokkaido). Great spectacle (and great fun to be part of - even if the armour is a bit small).

 

 

MATSUSHIMA

 

Godiado

This Shrine was reconstructed on Date Masamune’s orders in 1609. The "Go" of the Godiado refers to the five enshrined statutes housed inside. This shrine is generally not opened to the public except on special ceremonies held once every 33 years. The next opening will be in 2006.

 

Michinokiu Dale Masamune Rekishikan (Historical Wax Museum)

This museum features a visual history of Date Masamune. Other famous individuals from the Tohoku region are also featured.

 

Zuiganji (Formal name: Shoto Seriyuzan Zuigan Enpukuzenji)

This Zen temple - which is the most famous Zen temple in the Tohoku region - was first built in 828. The current temple is a result of the heavy restructuring begun by Date Masamune in1604. The 20 samurai who committed ritual suicide (seppuku) after Date Masamune’s death in 1637, in order to follow him to the next world, were lain in state here. The adjacent Seriyuden houses over 1,000 artifacts connected with Zuiganji and the Date clan including the Masamune Kou Kacchu-zo, a life-size wooden statue of Date Masamune (aged 27). This statue was made 16 years after Date Masamune’s death at the request of his wife, Yotokuin.

 

Aoba Castle (Aobajo-shi)

Although most of the castle was destroyed, either by the Meiji supporters during the Meiji restoration or by Allied bombs during World War II, what's left is still an amazing sight (and site!). At the castle site you can see both a computer simulation and models of what castle looked like at the height of Date’s power as well as get some really good views of Sendai.

 

Osaki Hachiman Shrine (Osaki Hachiman Jinja)

A Momoyama style shrine built by Date Masamune to honour the Japanese god of war (built in 1604).

 

Kokubunji Yakshido Temple (Kokubunji Yakshido)

A temple built on the orders of Date Masamune. The Gate of the Deva Kings is still in original condition.

 

Statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga (Hasekura Tsunenaga-no-zo)

A statue of Date Masamune’s envoy to Rome.

 

Date Mausoleum (Zuihoden)

A mausoleum complex containing the remains of three generations of the Date family, including Date Masamune.

 

 

 

This page was last updated: 02/14/00

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