Trip to Unveil the History of the Yagyu Clan as Great Swordsmen
This course allows you to visit “Yagyu,” the place of master swordsmen, out from which spreads the landscape of a mountain village. High points of this trip are the family temple of the Yagyu clan with their tombs, the residence of the chief retainer of the Domain Lord, and a huge stone just split in two called “Ittoseki.”
【Approx. 5 km 】
- Days required
- Approx. 1 hour and 10 minutes (Excluding the time required for traveling by bus and touring)
- Main methods of transportation
- car・bus・walk
Itinerary features
Take a bus for Yagyu, Ooji-nakamura, and Ishiuchi (Tsukigase) from JR/Kintetsu Nara Station (Approx. 50 minutes)
Hotokuji Temple
Family Temple of the Yagyus
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Houtoku-ji Temple is the family temple of the Yagyu clan. Yagyu Munenori built it in 1638. It is located on a mountaintop with a panoramic view of Yagyu village. Materials related to Yagyu are on display in the adjacent historical materials room.
Itto-seki Split Boulder
Place of Discipline for the Yagyu Family
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It is a huge rock about 7m square, split in half. Legend says that when the renowned Yagyu Munenoyoshi (Sekishusai) entered here during his training, he encountered a Tengu (long-nosed goblin). Munenori cut the Tengu down with a single sword stroke, but it split the rock in half, not the Tengu, hence named "Itto Seki"(One sword stone).
Because it looks just like the split stone in a very popular Japanese animation, fans flock to the rock to take commemorative photos in front of it.
Former Yagyu Domain Government Office＆Lord's Residence Site
Rest stop on the Yagyu Highroad
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This is the former site of Yagyu Domain Government Office and the residence of the Yagyu Clan's leader, and was refitted as a public site of historical ruins in June, 1980.
Former Residence of the Yagyu Clan's Chief Retainer
Large Home where Materials of the Yagyu Family Remain
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This was the former residence of the famous retainer, Oyamada Shurei, who restored the finances of the house of Yagyu. It stands on a magnificent stone wall and was bestowed upon him by the feudal lord in recognition of Oyamada’s achievements. You can see a high-ranking samurai's residence in the late Edo period.
