Could this unassuming stone stele mark a moment of imperial respite? This is the \u660e\u6cbb\u5929\u7687\u5fa1\u99d0\u8f26\u6240\u89b3\u6708\u6a4b Stele. It commemorates a brief stop made by Emperor Meiji.
Let’s step back to 1877. Emperor Meiji was journeying through the Kansai region. This trip occurred during the turbulent Seinan War. The emperor’s visit to Kyoto was extensive lasting from January to July.
On February 7th, Emperor Meiji was en route to Nara. He was going to visit the mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu. Along the way, he paused here at the Guetsukyo Bridge. The \u660e\u6cbb\u5929\u7687\u5fa1\u99d0\u8f26\u6240\u89b3\u6708\u6a4b Stele marks this event.
This stele marks the spot where Emperor Meiji rested. The Guetsukyo Bridge is also known as the Tomikyo Bridge. The \u660e\u6cbb\u5929\u7687\u5fa1\u99d0\u8f26\u6240\u89b3\u6708\u6a4b Stele stands as a reminder. It reminds us of the emperor’s travels.
The stele wasn’t erected until much later. Kyoto Prefecture built it in March 1938. The \u660e\u6cbb\u5929\u7687\u5fa1\u99d0\u8f26\u6240\u89b3\u6708\u6a4b Stele is a historical marker. It is a place of reflection.
If you look closely at the \u660e\u6cbb\u5929\u7687\u5fa1\u99d0\u8f26\u6240\u89b3\u6708\u6a4b Stele, you’ll see inscriptions. On the east side, it reads “Emperor Meiji Resthouse Guetsukyo Bridge”. The north side says “February 7th, 1877, Emperor’s Rest”. The west inscription states “Kyoto Prefecture built this in March 1938”.
Interestingly the \u660e\u6cbb\u5929\u7687\u5fa1\u99d0\u8f26\u6240\u89b3\u6708\u6a4b Stele isn’t the only one commemorating Emperor Meiji’s visit. Another stele exists. It marks his rest stop at a workshop. This factory produced water wheels and iron machinery. It was established as part of Kyoto Prefecture’s industrial policy.
While this \u660e\u6cbb\u5929\u7687\u5fa1\u99d0\u8f26\u6240\u89b3\u6708\u6a4b Stele may seem simple it connects us to a pivotal period in Japanese history. It also reminds us of Emperor Meiji’s journey.