Tokugawa Yoshinobu returned power to the Emperor without a fight. What did Yoshinobu, the last shogun, think about in Shizuoka and what did he bring to the city?

Introduction

Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun, was the one to close the curtain on the Edo shogunate, which was reputed to be an exceptionally long period of government even by world standards. Yoshinobu, who was the 15th shogun, returned power to the Emperor peacefully without a fight. With the so-called “Taisei Hokan” (transfer of power back to the Emperor), Tokugawa Yoshinobu drew the curtain on the 260-year Tokugawa shogunate and chose to put down the sword, ending the samurai government that existed for nearly 700 years since the founding of the Kamakura shogunate. His decision would eventually open the door to a new era for the country of Japan.

Adventure and interactive activities to visit places associated with Tokugawa Yoshinobu

Learn about the character of Tokugawa Yoshinobu at his residence, Fugetsuro

Why did Yoshinobu, the 15th shogun, return power to the Emperor without fighting?

This is considered one of the greatest mysteries of the Edo shogunate.

Fugetsuro, the residence where Yoshinobu spent about 20 years after the Taisei Hokan, still has a beautiful garden and is now used as a traditional Japanese restaurant, wedding hall, and event hall.

The chairman of Fugetsuro describes the character of Yoshinobu as follows.
“He never in his life spoke of the reasons for his great historical decision of returning the power without a fight. Yoshinobu kept all politics out of his life and devoted himself to his hobbies and was well-liked by the citizens of Shizuoka. I feel that he was a wise and brilliant ruler who paved the way for the modernization of Japan, despite the turbulent times at the end of the Edo period.”

There are many stories that are not mentioned in the history books, both in the city of Shizuoka and in Fugetsuro, and these give us a sense of the warmth of Yoshinobu as a human being.

Without Yoshinobu, tea in Shizuoka would not be what it is today!?

Shizuoka is a major producer of tea known throughout Japan. There are many tea-producing regions throughout the prefecture, each producing distinctive teas depending on the climate.

Tea, now the face of Shizuoka, is very closely associated with Yoshinobu.

At the beginning of the Meiji Era, Yoshinobu was placed under house arrest in Shizuoka and spent about 20 years in the area. When Yoshinobu moved to Shizuoka, some 300 vassals who served as Yoshinobu’s bodyguards lost their status and property, and became unemployed as soon as they arrived there.

After much consideration, they decided to replace the sword with a hoe to grow tea.

These samurai-turned-farmers pioneered the Makinohara Plateau, and tea became Shizuoka’s leading agricultural product.

In the Kawane region that is famous for its Kawane-cha (green tea), the Oigawa Railway’s steam locomotive runs through the tea plantations. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the tea plantations from the windows of the train.

A culture of enjoying tea developed at the same time as the production of tea.

There are teashops in the prefecture that offer new ways to enjoy tea, such as drinks and sweets made with tea, in addition to the more conventional ways of drinking tea. Another attraction is the calligraphy experience, in which participants write their own names in Japanese kanji characters using matcha green tea under the guidance of a professional instructor. Visitors can experience the art culture that combines traditional Japanese calligraphy and tea ceremony, and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Yoshinobu, a man of many interests

Tea was not the only thing that Yoshinobu brought to Shizuoka. He was known as a man of many interests, and led a life devoted to photography, oil painting, poetry, hunting, net casting, noh singing, and many other hobbies.

Known for his love of new things, Yoshinobu was also the first person to ride a bicycle in Shizuoka. According to the diaries kept by the stewards of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, he rode his bicycle across the Abe River to Mariko. In Mariko, there is an old restaurant called “Chojiya,” which has been in business for 400 years, and you can enjoy its famous tororo jiru (Japanese wild yam soup). Perhaps Yoshinobu, who took great care of his health, may have eaten it as well.

Why not try the local specialties in an old private house that takes you back in time to the Tokaido route during the Edo period?

Yoshinobu was also a foodie

“Yoshinobu would have enjoyed all the delicacies of Shizuoka,” explains the chairman of Fugetsuro.

Soba, one of Shizuoka’s signature traditional dishes, was also one of Yoshinobu’s favorite meals.
It is said that Tokugawa Ieyasu brought the culture of soba noodles from Shizuoka to Edo, and later, Yoshinobu brought it back to Shizuoka from Edo.

Summary

Tokugawa Yoshinobu spent his life working for Japan as a shogun and quietly watched over the country after the Taisei Hokan.

Yoshinobu left the following words.
“Lord Ieyasu established the shogunate to rule Japan. I became a shogun to bury that shogunate.”

After moving to Shizuoka, Yoshinobu never again entered the political arena, even after being released from house arrest. While Ieyasu vowed to make his subjects happy, Yoshinobu watched over the future of Japan, protected peace, and wished for the development of the nation from Shizuoka that was one step removed from Tokyo.

Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was defeated by Takeda’s army, gained strength in Hamamatsu and would eventually unify the country as the most famous shogun. What did the land of Hamamatsu provide Ieyasu?

Introduction

The Sengoku period was a time when powerful warring feudal lords ruled the country. Ieyasu, who was steadily improving his military and intellectual prowess while competing with neighboring feudal lords and being supported by his vassals, finally took over the country and ended the warring age that continued through the Onin War. However, the journey to that point was extremely challenging: his early childhood, when he was only three years old and spent time as a prisoner after he was separated from his mother; his adolescence, when he lived in Hamamatsu from the age of 29 to 45; and his later years until his death. Ieyasu, who spent about one-third of his life in Shizuoka, also chose the area as his final resting place. Let’s unravel the charms of Shizuoka that Ieyasu loved so much.

Adventure and interactive activities to visit places associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu

Ieyasu and Hamamatsu

During the time Ieyasu spent in Hamamatsu from the ages of 29 to 45, he experienced his greatest defeat at the Battle of Mikatagahara. He was attacked by the Takeda clan and fled back to Hamamatsu Castle, but in an attempt to take revenge, he made a desperate attack on the Takeda clan who were camped at Saigagake with only a handful of men. Although the soldiers of the Takeda clan were pushed to the bottom of the cliff and severely damaged, it was not enough to overturn the defeat, and Ieyasu suffered a humiliating defeat. Ieyasu was devastated by the large number of casualties, including many powerful vassals who died in place of Ieyasu.

Ieyasu left the following words.

“Winning isn’t always a good thing, and losing is important, too.” Ieyasu would use this experience in Hamamatsu as a lesson for his life and would go on to lay the foundations for the unification of Japan.

Bountiful Lake Hamana and Ieyasu
Hamamatsu, where Ieyasu spent 17 years of his life, is known for its rich agriculture, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers, as it is one of the sunniest cities in Japan.

Lake Hamana, the symbol of Hamamatsu, is connected to the Enshu Sea and is a brackish lake with seawater from the Pacific Ocean flowing in. Rich in nutrients and biodiversity, the area has a thriving natural fishing industry, as well as farmed eels, seaweed, oysters, and soft-shelled turtles.

The “kaki-kaba don” is a special dish filled with fresh oysters, a typical winter specialty of the region, seasoned with the sauce of the famous broiled eel, along with local ingredients such as seaweed from Lake Hamana, onions from Enshu, and tangerines also from Enshu.

Lake Hamana, where the waves are calm, offers a variety of marine activities in summer in addition to swimming.

Among them, pedal SUP (stand-up paddleboard) is available at Lake Okuhamana, where legend has it that Ieyasu took a boat and escaped from his pursuers by taking a route on the sea.

Paragliding is also a great way to see Lake Okuhamana from above, where one can also enjoy the view of Lake Hamana. The spectacular view of the lake and the sky may make you feel like Ieyasu who unified the entire country.

Tours of the paragliding grounds are also available, so those who do not wish to fly or children under the weight limit can also enjoy the spectacular scenery. The monorail travels up the slope of the mountain, allowing visitors to arrive in only 10 minutes where it would take an hour on foot. Depending on the time of year, sunset plans are also available, allowing you to enjoy the fantastic view of the setting sun reflected on the surface of Lake Hamana.

The head of the Mikkabicho Tourist Association had the following to say: “There are many legends associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu at Lake Okuhamana in Mikkabicho. There are good reasons to believe that Ieyasu took the sea route to successfully escape his pursuers, and it is very interesting to trace the route from the perspective of what Ieyasu was thinking at the time. Enjoying Lake Okuhamana from the air and sea is like reliving history, and it is full of historical romanticism.”

Indeed, Lake Hamanako is said to have played an important role in transporting rations and arms to the Hamamatsu Castle at that time, and the area possessed overwhelming convenience in terms of waterways and overland routes. It was an important lake that supported the rapid progress of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who would later become the ruler of Japan.

Summary

Hamamatsu was a land of many hardships, with many days spent in battle. Ieyasu was able to unify the country thanks to the support of his vassals and the days he spent here. Even after the death of Ieyasu, who fulfilled his dream of unifying Japan, the Edo shogunate continued for more than 260 years, maintaining an era of peace and tranquility for a long period, which is said to be unprecedented in the world.

Ieyasu, who vowed to live a long life and make his subjects happy, achieved the peaceful happiness not only of his own subjects, but also of future generations.

Minamoto no Yoritomo, who was exiled to Izu Province in Shizuoka, raised an army, won a turn-around victory against the Taira clan, and became the first shogun of Kamakura. How did he gain power in Izu Province?

Introduction

Minamoto no Yoritomo was a military commander from the late Heian period to the early Kamakura period, and became the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate. His father, Yoshitomo, was defeated in the Heiji Rebellion against Taira no Kiyomori, but by a strange fate, he escaped execution, and the young Yoritomo, who was only 14 years old, was exiled to Hirugakojima in Izu Province, where he spent 20 years until he raised his army.

In 1193, Minamoto no Yoritomo, who became the Seii Taishogun (commander-in-chief against barbarians), held the Fuji no Makigari hunting event, a large-scale military exercise that included hunting at the foot of the beautiful and majestic Mt. Fuji. Hunting was not only meaningful to the warriors of that time just for the sake of hunting, but it was also a sacred event to worship the mountain gods. The Fuji no Makigari was also a festival to receive special blessings from the mountain gods for the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate. On that special stage, Yoritomo demonstrated his formidable power as the supreme authority.

Yoritomo rose from exile (as a criminal) to the head of the samurai government. Behind this glory were the days spent in Izu.

Adventure and interactive activities to visit places associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo

Days spent in Izu

Hirugakojima, where Yoritomo was exiled, is located in present-day Izunokuni City.

Although Yoritomo came to the region as an exile (a criminal), he was not cut off from the outside world. He received support from his nursing mother and her relatives, and spent his days training himself in horseback riding and hunting, which were essential activities for a samurai.

Izu is blessed with scenic nature, including Suruga Bay and the mountains of the Izu Peninsula, and has a mild climate throughout the year. Just as Yoritomo once rode his horse through Izu’s wilderness, cycling around the Izu Peninsula is a popular activity today.

Meeting with his wife, Hojo Masako

It was in this area that Yoritomo met Hojo Masako, who would eventually become his wife. Masako’s father, Hojo Tokimasa, was very much against this marriage, but eventually approved. Tokimasa later became a backer of Yoritomo and fought alongside him when he defeated the Taira clan, while Masako led the Kamakura shogunate after Yoritomo’s death, contributing greatly to Yoritomo’s military campaigns and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate.

The Izuyama Shrine is famous as the place where Yoritomo and Masako were married. Many military commanders have prayed at this shrine since the Kamakura period for the longevity of their military fortunes and for their victory in battle. Even today, many worshippers visit the shrine to be blessed by its divine virtues.

The chief priest of Izuyama Shrine recounts the fate of Minamoto no Yoritomo as follows.
“Minamoto no Yoritomo was in danger of being killed by the Taira clan at any time, which at the time had the upper hand over the Minamoto clan in terms of strength. Yoritomo was brought into this world by gods’ will, met Masako, rose to power, and raised his army.”

Yoritomo raises an army

The Taira clan won the Heiji Rebellion and took political power, but dissatisfaction toward the Taira clan gradually began to smolder, and resistance against them grew. Although Prince Mochihito issued a decree to oust the Taira clan, Yoritomo decided to raise an army in the face of Prince Mochihito’s defeat and the resulting danger to his own safety.

20 years after his arrival in Izu as an exile, he declared the day of the annual festival of Mishima Taisha Shrine to be “the flag-raising day for the revival of the Minamoto clan,” and on August 17, 1180 (Jisho 4), he raised an army to overthrow the Taira clan at Nirayama in Izu Province.

At Mishima Taisha Shrine, where Yoritomo prayed for 100 days before raising his flag, visitors are greeted by the beautiful seasonal flowers and the distinctive faces of each season.

In Mishima, underground water from Mt. Fuji gushes out everywhere and flows through the city, and the city has been selected as one of the “100 Selected Water Spots” in the country. A stroll along the Genbe River, the symbol of the city, will give you a sense of the beauty of Japan. Because the area is blessed with underground water from Mt. Fuji and high-quality soil, it is a treasure trove of gourmet foods, including vegetables, fruits, and many other specialties. The eels, which are especially delicious when exposed to underground water pumped up from the ground, are extremely popular among fans who come from all over Japan to enjoy them.

In Izunokuni City, there is also a place associated with Yoritomo called “Honjin.” It is said that Yoritomo stayed and bathed here during the Bunji period (around 1187), and you can enjoy the thousand-year-old history of Kona Onsen, including the outdoor bath where Minamoto no Yoritomo’s sitting rock remains, and the mysterious atmosphere of the cave bath.

The stone quarry inside the building, which is said to have been donated as a stone for building the Edo Castle, is a one-of-a-kind space. You can see it when staying overnight.

Yoritomo’s military action in Izu marked the beginning of the transition to the Kamakura period, the era of the samurai.

Summary

The beautiful nature and shrines of Izu soothed the broken heart of Yoritomo, who had lost his parents and siblings, and nurtured his strong desire to overthrow the Taira clan. With the support of Masako and the Hojo family, he demonstrated exceptional political skills, united the lower-ranking vassals of the eastern provinces and the Minamoto clan, and brought about the downfall of the Taira clan, laying the foundation for a samurai government that lasted until the Edo period. His ability to capture the hearts and minds of people and his skill as a politician can be attributed to his 20 years of exile in Izu.

Izu, which can be said to have established the foundation of the Kamakura shogunate, is a very rare place where the history of Japan is encapsulated.