The short story of Kanji pictures
This ‘TOKKURI’ is a classic piece of Japanese heritage, widely used not only in Yaho but all across Japan during the early Showa era. A Tokkuri is a traditional ceramic bottle made for Sake (Japanese rice wine). This specific type, known as a ‘KAYOI-TOKKURI’ (carrying bottle), functioned like a modern reusable ‘my-bottle’—people would bring it to the local liquor store to get their Sake refilled directly from the barrel, keeping a running tab with the shop.
In the old days, massive paper lanterns were used during the grand festivals at Yaho Tenmangu. Each of these magnificent lanterns, proudly inscribed with the characters for ‘YAHO,’ stood about one meter in height! They glowed brilliantly throughout the entire night, beautifully illuminating the dark streets of Yaho with a warm, festive light.
This is a magnificent ‘KAKEJIKU’ (hanging scroll) rendered entirely in black ink, yet it radiates a powerful, remarkably lifelike energy. It was painted by the Zen monk Unzan Sekiryu at Nan-yoji Temple. The masterful ink strokes capture a sense of deep spiritual vitality, making the artwork feel incredibly alive.
The Kunitachi Museum houses many fascinating historical treasures, and this is one of its finest highlights: a beautiful poem about Yaho composed by Ota Shokuzan, a legendary artist and master poet of the Edo period. The lines of the poem offer a vivid window into the daily lives, thoughts, and culture of the Yaho people during that era.
Found at Nanyoji Temple, this 4,000-year-old claypot represents a historic turning point. The invention of pottery revolutionized daily life for ancient people, as it allowed them to carry, cook, and store food for the first time. This fascinating piece of human heritage is currently on display at the Kunitachi Museum.
This traditional Edo-era farmhouse was recently moved here from the Aoyagi district. It beautifully showcases a time when Japanese farmers lived closely with their horses and cattle, sharing their home with them as if they were family.
Along the historic Koshu Kaido highway and its surrounding areas, you can still find several Joyato, which are traditional Japanese stone lanterns. In the past, local residents shared a beautiful custom: every night, they would take turns walking to these lanterns to light a candle inside. This fire served a dual purpose—not only did it illuminate the dark roads for travelers, but it was also deeply believed that the sacred flame would bring divine protection to the community.