Beneath the serene gaze of towering stone monuments lies a tale of political intrigue, familial loyalty, and a legacy etched in Osaka’s history. This, my friends, is the Itakura/Mutsu Munemitsu Graveyard Memorial (伊達家・陸奥宗光 墓所跡). Here, amidst the tranquility, rest two prominent figures: Itakura Tadasue (Senko/Chihiro) and his son, Mutsu Munemitsu.
Itakura Tadasue, a key figure in the tumultuous world of Kishu domain politics, served as a high-ranking official. He championed reforms alongside the domain lord, Tokugawa Nariaki. However, upon Nariaki’s death, Tadasue found himself on the losing side of a power struggle. He was subsequently imprisoned for nearly a decade. Following the Meiji Restoration, he was released and moved to Osaka, where he built a residence near the grave of his admired poet, Fujiwara no Teika. Tadasue named this place “Asahinomiya” after the spot chosen by Teika for his own burial.
His sixth son, Mutsu Munemitsu, walked a different path. He became a loyal supporter of Emperor Meiji and a prominent figure in the new government. Munemitsu served as Foreign Minister, skillfully navigating complex international relations. He played a crucial role in revising unequal treaties and restoring Japan’s judicial autonomy. His achievements elevated him to the peerage, becoming Viscount Mutsu.
Both father and son found their final resting place in Asahinomiya. However, in 1945, their graves were relocated to Kishu. Here at the Itakura/Mutsu Munemitsu Graveyard Memorial, two stone monuments mark their initial burial site. The larger monument to the right, called the “Asahinomiya Mausoleum Epitaph”, holds an inscription penned by Munemitsu himself. It details his father’s life and accomplishments. The monument to the left, the “Mutsu Munemitsu Memorial Monument”, was erected by Munemitsu’s former secretary. A small plot of land between the monuments, known as the Sayaji Mausoleum, marks the burial place of Munemitsu’s daughter, Kiyoko, who tragically died at the young age of 21. The Itakura/Mutsu Munemitsu Graveyard Memorial stands as a silent testament to their contributions to Japan’s history, inviting contemplation amidst the bustling city. Their intertwined stories whisper from the stones, reminding us of the complex tapestry of loyalty, ambition, and legacy.