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Terraced Fields |
| This is the valley that opens up, upon coming down into Asuka from Tanzan
Shrine. With the holy mountains Katsuragi and Kongo in the background, the
sight of the terraced fields of Asuka is extremely well known throughout
Japan. However recent years have seen many farm families leave the countryside
to pursue work in the cities, so that more and more fields are left fallow.
The local government has created "zoning" policies to protect
the terraced fields, as well as initiatives to bring in city families that
"adopt" a rice paddy, and cultivate it for the season. |
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Ishibutai |
| Ishibutai, or "stone stage", a large stone barrow grave, was only
discovered and excavated in 1933. Created in the 7th century, it is the
largest such stone crypt in Japan. The custom of building these stone barrow
graves possibly began in China, and by the 2nd century had spread to Japan
by way of the Korean peninsula. Though not definitely known, it is assumed,
that Ishibutai is the tomb of Soga no Umako; largely because it is known
that he held the surrounding land. Becoming powerful in the 6th century,
the Soga clan, like their successors the Fujiware, controlled the emperors
by having them marry Soga daughters. The most powerful Soga was Soga no
Umako, who through these familial relationships was able to seize control
of the government in 587. Though he supported the spread of Buddhism throughout
Japan, he also contrived to assasinate his nephew who opposed him, the Emperor
Sushun. |
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Kame Ishi |
| One of the many stones in the Asuka area, probably carved by artisans from
the Korean peninsula, brought to Asuka in the 6th and 7th centuries to build
the first Buddhist temples. The origin and purpose of Kame, or "turtle"
rock, as with all of the other like stones in Asuka remain a mystery. Because
of the placement of Kame ishi, it is believed that it may have served as
a boundary marker. |
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Tachibana Temple |
| The great law-giver, Shotoku Taishi, was born on this spot in 572. He became
a devout Buddhist, and lectured even the Empress Suiko. At that time large
lotus flowers fell from the sky and lay one meter deep on the garden, and
1,000 Buddhas appeared with haloes emanating. The Empress was so surprised
that she instructed a temple be built on this spot; which became Tachibanadera.
"Tachibana" means Mandarin orange tree. Both lotus flowers and
Mandarin orange are no longer in evidence, but this is a great place for
viewing cherries. This temple sits in the middle of fields. |
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Tanzan Shrine |
| Tanzan enshrines the remains of Fujiwara no Kamatari (614-669), the first
Fujiwara minister of the Yamato emperors. His remains were brought here
by his son, Priest Joe; who selected this site because Kamatari planned
his coup of 645 here. The mountain here is alleged to have groaned whenever
the emperor or the Fujiwara were in danger. These groaning noises were reported
to the court a total of 36 times in the course of history, whereupon special
prayers were promptly ordered. When Kamatari's grave was transferred to
Tanzan Shrine, Preist Joe installed a 13 storied pagoda in the grounds of
the neighboring Myorakuji Temple as an expression of Fujiwara policy to
promote the merger of Buddhism and Shinto. Up until the early Meiji Period
(1868-1912), both temple and shrine were merged on Mt. Tonomine.. Destroyed
several times by fire, it was restored in 1451 with funds from the flourishing
Japan-China trade. The greatest damage was infilicted in the Meiji period
when, due to the policy of separating Buddhism and Shinto in order to purify
the latter from foregin influence, many of the temple halls were destroyed
or dismatntled. All but the pagoda at Myorakuji were demolished. |
