英語版のサイトに Historical sites in Kira のページをアップロードしました：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
吉良は、愛知県の南、三河湾に面した地域です。
赤穂浪士の討ち入りで暗殺された吉良上野介の所領があったところです。
赤穂浪士の討ち入りで悪役となった吉良上野介ですが、地元では名君で知られています。
そんな、吉良の史跡をいくつか紹介します。
Historical sites in Kira のページへどうぞ：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/Kira_E.html
日本語版では、下記のページで紹介しています：
http://shanehsmt.html.xdomain.jp/Travel/Japan/Chubu0/Kira.html
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My English site:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
Kira is located in the south middle of Aichi Prefecture, near Milkawa Bay. Now, Kira is a part of Nishio City.
Kira was the territory of KIRA Clan from the middle age, in the "Muromachi" Age (1336 - 1573).
KIRA Clan was one of the most important families of the Muromachi Bakufu, the central government of Japan in the "Muromachi" Age.
It was said that KIRA Clan would succeed the Muromachi Shogunate if ASHIKAGA Shogunate died out.
Kezoji Temple
Kezoji Temple is the family temple of KIRA Clan. It is located in the east part of Nishio City.
Kezoji Temple was founded in 1600. The main hall of Kezoji Temple is located on a small hill.
The architecture of the main hall is very simple.
In the west wide of the temple, "Mieido Hall" is located.
There is a wooden statue of KIRA Yoshihisa in "Mieido Hall".
The wooden statue was beautifully colored.
It is said that it was colored by KIRA Yoshihisa.
The below picture shows the grave of KIRA Yoshihisa.
KIRA Yoshihisa governed the Kira Feudal Domain well and praised by the people in Kira Feudal Domain.
"Kogane Tsutsumi", Golden Bank
Approximately 1.5 kilometers to the northeast from Kezoji Temple, "Kogane Tsutsumi" is located.
"Kogane Tsutsumi", in Japanese means a golden bank. It is said that the bank was made by KIRA Yoshihisa.
The length of the bank is approximately two hundred meters and the height is three meters.
A stone monument on the bank is very impressive.
The place where the "Kogane" Bank is located, used to be backmarsh of the Yahagi River and named "Yoroigafuchi".
In the late sixteenth century, TOKOGAWA Ieyasu(1543 - 1616), who was the first "Shogun" in the Edo Age, had a battle with KIRA Clan had a battle at this place.
The TOKUGAWA Army was forced to retreat to this place and many lost their lives at the marsh.
The memorial monument of this battle is located at the "Kogane" Bank.
Konrenji Temple
To the south from Kira area, Konrenji Temple is located.
The temple was founded by ADACHI Morinaga(1135 - 1200), who was the "Mikawa Shugo", military governor of Mikawa Province, in 1186 with following the order of MINAMOTO-No Yoritomo(1147 - 1199).
In the temple, a historical hall is located. The hall is named "Amitabha Hall".
The architecture of the hall is simple, but it has very dignified atmosphere.
"Amitabha Hall" is the oldest building in Aichi Prefecture and it is designated as a national treasure of Japan.
In Aichi Prefecture, only three buildings are designated as national treasures.
The ruins of Tojyo Castle
In 1222, ASHIKAGA Yoshiuji(1189 - 1255) was appointed as the "Mikawa Shugo", military governor of Mikawa Province.
ASHIKAGA Yoshiuji divided the Kira Area in to the east part and the west part.
ASHIKAGA Yoshiuji's decision generated family quarrels between the east KIRA Clan and the west KIRA Clan.
Tojyo Castle was the base of the east KIRA Clan in the middle age.
The main bailey of Tojyo Castle has been restored as it was in the middle age.
The gate and the watch tower of the castle were rebuilt.
The below picture shows the view from the main bailey to the south.
In 1561, TOKOGAWA Ieyasu(1543 - 1616) attached Tojyo Castle and Tojyo Castle fell.
At this battle, TOKUGAWA Army approached Tojyo Castle from this direction.
Now, the atmosphere of the ruins of Tojyo Castle is very peaceful.
When I visited in April, cherry blossoms were almost fully blooming.
Many people were there to enjoy cherry blossoms.
Please visit the homepage article for more detail.
Historical sites in Kira, Nishio
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/Kira_E.html
"Your Destinations in Japan":
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/TravelDestinations.html
http://shanehsmt.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
"Explore Historical and Exotic Japan"
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
