Place of worship • 176 Shinhonjichō, Tottori, 680-0812, Japan
In the serene residential district of Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, stands Genju-ji Temple, a place steeped in profound history. This temple is the final resting place of the swordsman Araki Mataemon, who played a significant role in the Kagiya no Tsuji duel during the Edo period. The temple also houses a memorial hall that reflects on his lifetime.
Araki Mataemon served as the swordsmanship instructor for the Yamato Koriyama Domain and was an expert in a style of swordsmanship known as Shinkage-ryu. His remarkable skills were on full display during the Kagiya no Tsuji duel, where he astonishingly took down Kawai Jinsaemon of the same Koriyama Domain and spear instructor Sakurai Hanbe of the Amagasaki Domain.
During the duel, Mataemon was accompanied by a young man named Watanabe Kazuma. The incident stemmed from the murder of Kazuma's brother, Watanabe Gentaro, by Kawai Chusaburo, which led Kazuma to embark on a journey of revenge. Due to his inadequate swordsmanship, Kazuma sought the assistance of his brother-in-law, Mataemon. The two, bound by their deep connection, successfully exacted revenge on Kawai Chusaburo.
Inside the main hall, there are sliding door paintings created by Takagi Hyakusetsu, exuding a distinctive world view. With his ties to Tsunekazu Muneakira, Hyakusetsu's paintings carry profound depth. Visitors can leisurely receive detailed explanations from the temple staff while contemplating the history of swords and blades.
Genju-ji Temple is a hidden gem enveloped in a quiet townscape. However, as one delves into the weight of its history, the spirit of the samurai of old is sure to resonate in one's heart.
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