Beneath the vermillion lacquer a story whispers. The story of \u4e0b\u5c71\u5730\u8535\u5c0a\u7531\u6765 in Setagaya whispers of travelers and ancient roads.
\u4e0b\u5c71\u5730\u8535\u5c0a stands as a silent guardian. It watches over the old Koshu Kaido road. This road connected Edo to Kai Province. Today we explore its story.
The Koshu Kaido opened in the early Edo period. Ieyasu Tokugawa sought refuge in Yamanashi. He prepared for attacks from the sea. This road served a vital purpose. Many daimyo used the Tokaido and Nakasendo roads. Only three used the Koshu Kaido. These were the Takato, Suwa and Iida clans. The road was narrow. It served mainly for delivering tea to the Shogun from Kyoto. Later in the Edo period commoners used it. They traveled for religious reasons like visiting Mount Fuji. This increased commerce along the route.
Here stands a pagoda. A stone Jizo statue accompanies it. The pagoda is quite old. The oldest of four stone figures dates back to 1700. It stands 1.61 meters tall. The statue shows Aozukin Kongo. Three monkeys decorate its sides.
An inscription reads offering to the Koshu Road, Usuyama Village. Many donor names appear on the base. Next to it stands a Jizo statue. It dates back to 1712. It also lists countless donor names.
Two more pagodas stand to the left. One was built in 1704. It shows Aozukin Kongo and three monkeys. It lists Usuyama Village and nine donors. The other smaller pagoda dates to 1733. Its inscription reads Usuyama Village Association. It also lists eight donors.
Now let us talk about the Shimoyama family. Three Shimoyama family members appear on these monuments. The Shimoyama family were local landowners. They were influential in Setagaya history. Shimoyama Teruo a historian probably descended from them. He was active until recently. He was born in 1927.
\u4e0b\u5c71\u5730\u8535\u5c0a is more than stone. It embodies faith. It represents community. The monument stands beside a road steeped in history. The Koshu Kaido whispers tales of shoguns travelers and local families.