“Who was this man honored by a stele?” That’s the question I hope to answer today as we stand before the \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580\u5f70\u5fb3\u4e4b\u7891 Stele.
This stele marks a place of great local significance. It commemorates the achievements of a man named \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580. This monument stands near the confluence of the Neya River and the South Maekawa River.
Long ago there was Fusekoshi Weir nearby. In 1965, people erected the \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580\u5f70\u5fb3\u4e4b\u7891 Stele.
During the Edo period, the lands of Kunimatsu Village suffered. Kunimatsu Village was under the direct control of the shogunate. The area was plagued by poor drainage. Rains caused constant flooding. Lack of sunshine led to water shortages. People called it “Kunimatsu’s scorched tofu”.
Seeing this plight, a magistrate named \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580 planned Fusekoshi Weir. After much hardship, he succeeded in 1724. It was the ninth year of the Kyoho era. He diverted drainage into the Yagato Akusui Route.
Later disputes arose with villages downstream regarding the weir. Tragically, it is said that \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580 took his own life.
There is another theory. \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580 may have been \u5343\u7a2e\u6e05\u53f3\u885b\u9580. \u5343\u7a2e\u6e05\u53f3\u885b\u9580 was in charge of developing new rice fields for the shogunate.
Another \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580 Stele stands at Gyokeiji Temple. This stele was erected in 1953 by local residents. The inscription says that \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580 could not bear to see the villagers’ suffering. He sacrificed himself to build Fusekoshi Weir in 1724. The inscription states they erected the stele to pass on his story.
\u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580 may have worked under Iwami Shigenari. Iwami Shigenari was a magistrate of the Kanzaki Domain. There is also a theory that he may have been a different person entirely.
Who was \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580? He remains a historical mystery.
Interestingly, Gyokeiji Temple continues to hold memorial services for \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580. Each year on January 26, locals conduct a memorial service. They honor his virtues and legacy.
The \u5343\u7a2e\u5e84\u53f3\u885b\u9580\u5f70\u5fb3\u4e4b\u7891 Stele is more than just a stone. It represents gratitude, sacrifice, and a lasting legacy. It reminds us of the individuals who shaped our communities. It also reminds us of the importance of remembering their stories.