Visiting Historic site in Japan

 How Myth Preserved Political Integration in Early Japan I. Mist Over Izumo In western Japan, along the coast of the Sea of Japan, stands one of the oldest and most enigmatic shrines in the country: 出雲大社 . Each October, according to tradition, all the gods of Japan leave their respective shrines and gather in Izumo. While the rest of the country calls this month Kannazuki —“the month without gods”—Izumo alone calls it Kamiarizuki —“the month when the gods are present.” It is an image both mystical and atmospheric: deities assembling in silence, ancient rituals unfolding in a place that feels detached from modern time. Yet behind this sacred scenery lies a historical puzzle. Why does Izumo, far from the early political center of Yamato (present-day Nara basin), hold such theological prestige in Japanese mythology? And why does its principal deity, Ōkuninushi, willingly “transfer” the land to the heavenly descendants who later rule Japan? The answer may lie not only in religion—but i...

  Iwasaki Yataro (1835–1885) was a Japanese entrepreneur and the founder of Mitsubishi. Born into a lower-ranking samurai family in Tosa (present-day Kochi Prefecture), he rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most influential business leaders of the Meiji era. Through determination and sharp strategic thinking, he transformed Mitsubishi into a powerful shipping company that supported Japan’s rapid modernization, later expanding into mining, finance, and heavy industry. Today, Iwasaki is remembered as a bold and visionary businessman who helped lay the foundation for modern Japanese capitalism. Yet beyond boardrooms and shipping routes, Iwasaki had another passion—stones. Famous Stones of Kiyosumi Garden Iwasaki Yataro was known for his deep appreciation of stones. When developing Kiyosumi Garden in Tokyo, he collected remarkable stones from all over Japan and made them the centerpiece of the garden’s design. These stones were not randomly placed decorations; they w...