Atsuta Jingu, the Samurai Shrine

Aichi Prefecture is home to Atsuta Shrine, Japan’s second most revered Shinto shrine after the Great Shrine of Ise, and dates back over 2,000 years. The atmosphere here is different, it is special. There is a mysterious, yet calming feeling about the wide, forest-covered grounds of the ancient shrine. Atsuta Shrine is dedicated to the Five Great Gods of Atsuta, and is home to the Sacred Sword, the Kusunagi no Tsurugi, one of the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan. The sword received its name “The Grass Cutting Sword” as the warrior, Prince Yamato Takeru used its magical powers to cut his way out of a grass fire started by a treacherous enemy. Atsuta Shrine was said to have been established to house and protect the sword for the Emperor.

（Japan’s second most revered Atsuta Shrine）

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Himakajima Island and the 47 Ronin

Just off the coast of Aichi’s Chita Peninsula in Mikawa Bay is a small island called Himakajima, famous for octopus and the poison blowfish delicacy called Fugu. It’s also the birthplace of one of the famed 47 Ronin!

Himakajima Island is popular year round for its beaches, resorts, fishing and feasting. The waters are mostly calm, with special safe beach areas for children and adults alike. Himakajima is dotted with many hotels and inns with superb views of the beautiful, sparkling Mikawa Bay.

（Aichi’s treasure, Himakajima, just off the coast in sparkling Mikawa Bay）

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Samurai Cuisine, the food of Aichi

Last time I told you about miso, one of the important foods and provisions of the Samurai of Aichi. Some of those samurai foods are enjoyed even today! This week, we’ll have a look at some of the best foods to try in Aichi,..let’s call is Samurai Cuisine!

For starters, I have never met a person who doesn’t love Tebasaki, Nagoya Fried Chicken Wings! Japanese friends, foreign friends, anyone who comes to Aichi, I just have to take them to a Tebasaki restaurant! I took an Australian friend and his family out to Tebasaki recently, and they all enjoyed it so much, they went back the following night for more! There are many places to try Tebasaki, and they’re easy to find! I guarantee you’ll be back for more,…oh, and one of the secrets is learning how to eat them in the Aichi way!

（Everybody loves Tebasaki, Nagoya Fried Chicken Wings）

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Miso, the Secret Weapon of the Samurai of Aichi

The samurai of Aichi Prefecture were among the most successful at war. Aichi was the center of the Sengoku, or Warring States Period, and under local heroes, the unifiers, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, samurai from Aichi spread out across the nation.

Why were they so successful? What was their secret weapon? Ninja? Better armor? Guns?  No, it was Miso!

Yep! Miso, in particular, Aka-miso, or red miso, and Hatcho Miso, produced in Aichi for over 400 years, a simple, lightweight, easy to carry, long lasting, easy to use provision that is high in protein, and rich in vitamins and minerals. They say an army marches on its stomach, and in this case it is very true. During the Sengoku Period, miso production was an important military and economic activity.

（A spoonful of miso….）

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Into Samurai? Into Aichi!

Aichi Prefecture is the birthplace of the Samurai heroes who formed the nation! Particularly, it is the birthplace of the three warlords who fought to unify Japan, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu were all born in Aichi.

Nobunaga was born at Shobata Castle in June 1534, and while a baby, his father Nobuhide moved the family to the larger, safer, more centrally located Nagoya Castle. From Aichi, he commenced his dream of unifying the nation under one ruler, and bringing an end to the warfare and bloodshed that had long rocked the nation. Nobunaga seemed unstoppable, and had conquered most of Japan when one of his most trusted generals, Akechi Mitsuhide suddenly turned, and attacked Nobunaga while he was staying with just a handful of guards at the Honno-ji, a temple in Kyoto. Nobunaga was just two days short of his 48th birthday when he was killed.

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Aichi Prefecture, Land of the Samurai Castle.

Aichi Prefecture was at the heart of the Sengoku, or Warring States period of Japanese history. This is where the samurai lived and died! Aichi is located in the centre of Japan. It is a mostly flat region, perfect for growing rice, (ie, money) with a rich fishing coast to the south, irrigated by three rivers and a major highway hub, and so for that reason, it was a land dotted with castles,….in fact there are over 3,600 castles and castle sites in Aichi alone!

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Hi I’m Chris Glenn

For over 22 years now, I’ve been living and working in Aichi Prefecture, researching it’s rich samurai history and culture, and at the same time being continually amazed by its industrial, financial and technological prowess too.

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