Places in Miyagi Connected to Date Masamune
ISHINOMAKI
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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.
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Sant
Jaun Festival
Held
in late May this festival celebrates the launch of the Sant Jaun
Bautista and its mission to Europe. |
IWADEYAMA
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TheYubikan
Japan’s
oldest Samurai school still in original condition.
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Shiroyama
Koen
The
park on the site of Iwatesawa castle, with a big statute of Date
Masamune in it.
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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).
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MATSUSHIMA
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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Osaki
Hachiman Shrine (Osaki
Hachiman Jinja)
A
Momoyama style shrine built by Date Masamune to honour the Japanese
god of war (built in 1604).
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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.
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Statue
of Hasekura Tsunenaga (Hasekura
Tsunenaga-no-zo)
A
statue of Date Masamune’s envoy to Rome.
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Date
Mausoleum (Zuihoden)
A
mausoleum complex containing the remains of three generations of the
Date family, including Date Masamune.
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