Would that I had seven lives to give for my country. These are the words attributed to Kusunoki Masashige. He is a samurai whose statue stands before you now. This statue of Kusunoki Masashige is one of the most photographed in Tokyo.
Kusunoki Masashige lived from 1294 to 1336. He was active during the Kamakura period. This era followed the Genpei War. The Genpei War involved the Taira and Minamoto clans. It also saw the rise of feudalism in Japan.
Masashige was more than just a warrior. He was a devout Buddhist and a scholar. He received much of his early education at Kanshin-ji Temple. Later, he became a patron of this temple.
Legend says Emperor Go-Daigo had a dream. In it, he found his most loyal protector under a camphor tree. The name Kusunoki means camphor in Japanese. Masashige is seen as the ideal of Samurai loyalty. He fought for Emperor Go-Daigo. He wanted to restore power to the Imperial family during the Genko War from 1331 to 1333.
Kusunoki Masashige was devoted to the Emperor. He willingly entered the Battle of Minatogawa in 1336. There was no chance of winning this battle. He died there. This act of devotion secured his legend. He became a symbol of loyalty and virtue.
Five hundred years after his death, the Meiji government awarded him the highest court rank. This was a posthumous honor. The phrase “Would that I had seven lives to give for my country” is linked to him.
The statue you see before you wasn’t created using single-piece casting. Assistant Professor Sessei Okazaki of Tokyo Fine Arts School oversaw the creation process. Traditional methods couldn’t handle a statue over four meters tall with elaborate details. A new technique was needed.
Okazaki visited the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. He studied large statues there. He discovered they were cast in sections. Okazaki returned to Japan. He spent about a year creating the horse. He divided it into seven sections. These sections were the body, neck, four legs, and tail. He used traditional Japanese metalworking techniques.
The chasing and patination took another two years. The statue was completed in September 1896. The plinth was installed. The statue of Kusunoki Masashige was erected near Nijubashi Bridge in 1900.
Kusunoki Masashige’s son, Kusunoki Masatsura, also became a patriot. He supported the Imperial family. He fought during the Nanbokucho wars from 1336 to 1392. Masatsura was devoted to Emperor Go-Murakami.
Before World War II, the story of Masatsura and his father was taught to Japanese children. It was also the subject of a popular patriotic song.
Kusunoki Masashige remains an iconic figure. He embodies the highest ideals of samurai loyalty and selfless devotion. His statue stands as a testament to his enduring legacy. It reminds us of the sacrifices made for the sake of country and emperor.