The Hosokawa Tree
Planted in memory of Gracia Hosokawa, samurai. When the dastardly Ishida Mitsunari attempted to take her hostage in order to force her husband to ally with him, she instead chose suicide - a knife through the throat - after ordering her maid to burn the building down afterwards. Not only did she thwart Ishida on this attempt but stilled his plans for further kidnappings with the outrage it brought over the loss of the very popular and intelligent Gracia.
Abandoned Buddhist Temple Grounds
With the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Buddhism was frowned upon by the new state government as Shinto was made the state religion. Many temples were closed leaving us only to imagine what once was.
Ane Riverbed
Now dry from the famous bloody battle between the Asai clan and the warlord Oda Nobunaga (first of the three great unifiers). Oda had not obtained a commanding power at this point but his rising reputation caused surrounding clans to organize to defeat this upstart. It was the fierce attack of the Asai that caused so many casualties the river ran red with blood. Only by a fearless rear guard action by general Toyotomi was Oda able to preserve his army.
Afterwards, the peasants were so horrified by the red river they rerouted it to remove its stain from their memory.
Tree For Asano-san, The Loyal Ronin
Asano had been made ronin (samurai with no clan to serve) during the hell of the Onin wars. When clan after clan turned away his services he offered to serve for free in order to prove his worth. On the exact spot of this tree he was lookout when an attack came. He did not run, however, as the others did but stayed to light the signal fire even though it ensured his doom. The clan was saved by his warning and made him a posthumous samurai with this living memorial.
Marker From The Tokaido Road
The Tokaido was the most important road in Japan, connecting Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto (the ancient capital). Restrictions were many with dozens of post stations at various intervals to police the traffic. Although disused now by the shifted path, this marker once denoted the outer limit for a traveler to deviate from the road. If a traveler was found too far off - therefore trying to bypass the government station - he was executed as a warning. It was not uncommon to see heads on posts at certain way stations.
The Yuki Trees
Princess Akizuki Yuki is said to have escaped through these trees along with her faithful and very capable general Makabe Rokurota. The trail has long since disappeared but on the other side lay a hidden fortress where she found temporary refuge before a long and arduous escape to friendly territory. Her heart was heavy, however, when she found out her retainers had used a 16 year old look-alike as a decoy whom the invading army killed thinking she was the actual princess.
The Spy Rock
Spies and spying were always popular in Japanese history but none more so than during the Sengoku Jidai (Era of warring states). With no real head of state, the country was plunged into chaos with the various warlords vying for ultimate power. Never had intel on an opposing clan been so vital. Rock hedges like these were often used as the equivalent of a modern drop box to relay information. This particular stone having been discovered was left purposely out of place to let its users know the game was up.
Night Of The Ninja
Even untraceable Ninja can leave a trail if the roof is weak enough. This was discovered after an assassination attempt on Oda Nobunaga inside his famed Azuchi castle. It would take four years before the ninja was caught. He died a slow and ugly death through torture.
Tokugawa's Monkeys
Tokugawa Ieyasu (who was later to become Shogun) lost only one battle (to Takeda). He sought refuge in a village but was hastily denied and sold out by the frightened farmers. This forced Tokugawa to retreat with his few men back to his castle - where his pursuers were sure to come. He saved himself only by his wits, ordering all gates to be opened and the road leading in to be marked with bonfires to show the way. When the pursuing troops saw this they presumed it was a trap and refused to enter the castle.
Later, Tokugawa commissioned these monkeys on "steps to nowhere" as a mockery of the frightened farmers.
Smugglers' Grotto
Even under the highly organized and repressive governments of Japan, criminality flourished. In fact, Japanese pirates were so successful at badgering Chinese vessels that the Chinese refused any trade with Japan. In order to get the silks needed for their kimonos, the Japanese were forced to use the Portuguese as intermediaries. It was in grottos such as these where pirates would stash their loot to be retrieved later right under the nose of the authorities.
The Secret Path Of Osaka Castle
Castles were Byzantine labyrinths full of dead ends and winding paths leading to traps. To wander around aimlessly was fatal. Osaka, with its ability to garrison tens of thousands of troops, was considered impregnable in its day. Only by the introduction of cannon years later was it breeched. But if you had knowledge of this road, you knew the way to safety.
Seat Of Sei Shonagon
Sei Shonagon was a lady of the court during the Heian period around 1000 AD. With the writing of the Pillow Book, one could call her the original blogger with her tidy stories of courtly life and her witty observations. From this bench she often composed her daily musings as she looked out over the inspiring waters. It is said her list of "Things that cannot be compared" was written here during a rain storm.
Oda's Bricks
When the Portuguese arrived in 1543 they brought not only the new invention of guns but also the technology of bricks. Warlord Oda Nobunaga was quick to adapt to Western conventions, often amusing himself by observing the sour expressions on his guests' faces after he introduced them to European wine. So while also a pioneer in the use of guns as shown at the Battle of Nagashino, Oda also demonstrated the usefulness of brick by commissioning this walkway.
Protective Bamboo
Bamboo may seem a weak protection but it was thickly planted like this around many castles to be observed from the towering keep. Even the slightest movements would disturb and rattle the tops in a dead giveaway of an intruder's position. Only in the highest of winds was passing through attempted but even then considered extremely dangerous.
The Forbidden Garden Of Emperor Jimmu
Japan started out as a traditional monarchy but when unruly peasants failed to recognize royal authority, samurai (meaning 'to serve') came to the rescue. But soon the samurai realized they were the true power and decided to serve only themselves, inducing centuries of warfare for final power. This left the emperor powerless except as a ceremonial figure.
Even so, his reverence as a divine figure loomed large in Japanese society. Even the ruling Shogun dare not enter this reserved garden without risk of nationwide outrage that could instantly turn his supporters into rebels. In 1868, power was returned to the emperor until after WWII when Japan became a constitutional democracy.
Serenity Island
The warrior monks were a constant thorn in the side of the warlord Oda Nobunaga. Finally fed up with their dogged refusal to stop, he burned their mountainside monasteries to the ground - men, women and children alike. The monks later rebuilt but never reconstituted their armies, instead creating this moated island of peace of which they proudly proclaim no samurai has ever stepped foot.
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