The short story of Kanji pictures
This is the sacred sign plate, or ‘HENGAKU,’ of Yaho Tenmangu. It holds such immense historical importance that it is kept hidden from the public eye today. This remarkable piece of heritage was inscribed all the way back in 1275 during the Kamakura period by the noble scholar Sir Fujiwara.
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.
The word ‘HAKE’ means a small river fed by cliff springs, which brought fresh water and allowed people to settle in this area. Geographically, Kunitachi and Yaho slope from the high north down to the south, forming three steps of cliffs. Plenty of pure water emerges from these cliff layers, making it the life-giving source of the entire Yaho world.
| 名称 | ハケ散策路 |
| 所在地 | 〒186-0012 東京都国立市泉 |
Kunitachi is famously designated as a ‘Bunkyo Chiku’ (Educational District), the first of its kind in Tokyo established in 1952. To protect the educational environment for students, the law restricts businesses like gambling halls and bars from opening here. This is the true reason behind Kunitachi’s beautiful, calm, and high-class streetscapes
Near the main hall of Yabo Tenmangu sits ‘Fude-zuka,’ a monument dedicated to the God of education, a master of Japanese calligraphy. It is believed that tracing the letters on this stone helps improve your writing skills, and historically, schoolchildren buried their old brushes here.
Behind the hall, you will find a serene pond fed by the never-drying ‘Tokiwa no Shimizu’ spring. The pond features a tiny island with Itsukushima Shrine, where a sacred statue of Benzaiten is said to hold the handprint of the famous monk Kukai on its back.
ー社殿に向かって左側の堀際に「筆塚」（ふでづか）と刻まれた塚があります。これは菅原道真が日本三大名筆の一人と言われ、書道の大家であったことに由来しています。この碑面を筆でなぞると、文字が上達するといわれています。また昔この辺の寺子屋で学んでいた子供たちは、使い古した筆をこの筆塚の下に埋めたと言われています。 社殿の後ろには、涸れたことがないという「常磐の清水」という湧き水を美しく湛えた池があります。その小島には巌島神社と呼ばれる弁財天が祭られており、祭像の背中には作者の空海の手形が押してあると言われています。
ーTo the left of Yaho Tenmangu’s main hall, resting quietly near the moat, stands a mysterious stone monument inscribed as “Fude-zuka” (The Brush Mound). This monument pays tribute to Sugawara no Michizane, who was not only a brilliant scholar but also celebrated as one of Japan’s three greatest master calligraphers.
Legend has it that if you trace the carved characters on this stone with a calligraphy brush, your own handwriting and artistic skills will beautifully improve. Deepening this connection to education, it is said that in the old days, local children studying at nearby Terakoya (traditional temple schools) would gratefully bury their well-worn, retired brushes beneath this mound to honor their tools and pray for academic success.
The wonders of the shrine continue right behind the main hall, where you will find a serene, hidden pond filled with “Tokiwa no Shimizu” (The Everlasting Spring Water). This natural spring is legendary for having never once run dry throughout history.
On a small, picturesque island in the center of the pond sits Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to Benzaiten, the Goddess of music and arts. Intriguingly, local lore whispers that the back of this sacred divine statue bears the actual, authentic handprint of its creator—the legendary 8th-century Buddhist monk, Kukai (Kobo Daishi).
Yaho is home to local pear gardens. In spring, the pear trees bloom with beautiful white flowers, and in autumn, they produce delicious fruit. The secret to their great taste is the high-quality water brought by the nearby Tama River.
The Tama River is steeped in ancient history, and ‘Tama’ stands as one of the oldest regional names in Japan. It is said that the word ‘Tama’ originally signifies the ‘human soul.’ Reflecting on this profound meaning, we can truly appreciate how deeply the people of ancient times revered this river—not just as water, but as the very lifeblood and spiritual soul of the community.
A modern facility stands where Daigaku Street meets Sakura Street, serving as a support center for people with disabilities. Built under Kunitachi City’s policy to provide excellent care in a rich environment, this center stands as a meaningful landmark of the community.
Aoyagi Inari is a charming shrine nestled in the Aoyagi area of Kunitachi. It is a wonderful place to visit if you want to explore and discover the beautiful, intricate details of traditional Japanese shrine architecture!
| 名称 | 青柳稲荷神社 |
| 所在地 | 〒186-0013 東京都国立市青柳２３６ |
Situated to the west of Yaho, Yagawa is named after the small ‘Hake’ river that flows from west to east through Kunitachi City. To this day, the river’s water stays pure and clear, remaining a beloved nature spot for local residents.