“Where exactly does this road begin?” someone asks. This question hangs in the air as we gather around the \u9759\u5e02\u91ce\u6751\u9053\u8def\u5143\u6a19 Stele. It is a marker of simpler times.
This unassuming stone pillar is more than just a road marker. It is a testament to Kyoto’s history. The \u9759\u5e02\u91ce\u6751\u9053\u8def\u5143\u6a19 Stele marks a starting point. It is not just for roads but for understanding how distances were measured in old Kyoto.
The \u9759\u5e02\u91ce\u6751\u9053\u8def\u5143\u6a19 Stele dates back to 1920. This was when the old road law was enacted. The law mandated the establishment of road origin markers. These markers were placed in central areas. Think town halls and city centers.
The \u9759\u5e02\u91ce\u6751\u9053\u8def\u5143\u6a19 Stele served two main purposes. First, it indicated the origin of a road. Second, it was a reference point for distances between towns.
Specifically, this \u9759\u5e02\u91ce\u6751\u9053\u8def\u5143\u6a19 Stele was the road origin marker for Nosemura in Otagi-gun. Kyoto Prefecture announced its placement on March 30, 1920. The designated spot was in Aza Nonaka, Koaza Nakajima. It was block 65.
Today, the \u9759\u5e02\u91ce\u6751\u9053\u8def\u5143\u6a19 Stele resides in Sakyo Ward. You can find it in Shizucho Nonaka-cho near Sennyu-ji Temple. Its coordinates are 35 degrees 05 minutes 26.8 seconds north latitude. It is also 135 degrees 45 minutes 51.1 seconds east longitude.
The \u9759\u5e02\u91ce\u6751\u9053\u8def\u5143\u6a19 Stele itself is a modest monument. It stands 55 cm tall. Its width and depth are both 24 cm. The inscription reads “North, \u9759\u5e02\u91ce\u6751\u9053\u8def\u5143\u6a19”. It marks a piece of Kyoto’s detailed history. It is a subtle reminder of how the city evolved.
So, as we stand before this \u9759\u5e02\u91ce\u6751\u9053\u8def\u5143\u6a19 Stele, remember its dual role. It marked physical space. It also symbolized the starting point of journeys. It is a journey through time. It connects us to Kyoto’s past.