Visiting（１）

I am in charge of setting up an annual family gathering this year.
My clan, Yanagisawa family(my father's side of family), holds a party once in a year.

A party of 2008

"Hanabishi-kai" is the title of our gathering. "Hanabishi" came from the crest of Yanagisawa family.

This is the crest which is called 'Yanagisawa-Yotsubishi'.

So far, the two of the old members used to organize the party every year.
But they announced that they would like to be sidelined as they got old last year.
So every member is going to take turns at arranging the party each year.

Then Kuninobu, my second cousin, and I are going to do it.
Usually the party is held at a banquet hall. But this time, we plan to go out and visit some sites of ancestral importance.

One of them is the historical temple called "Erin-ji", which our ancestors lie at rest.

This temple is located at Enzan in Yamanashi Prefecture, where is about 120km from Tokyo.

The front gate

Kuninobu and I made a preliminary inspection. So we visited the oldest and most virtue monk of Erinji and a monk who attended on us.
We recieved a big welcome, and they were glad to hear that Yanagisawa clan visit the temple in May. May is the most beautiful season, they said.
There are many fascinating pieces of 'Yanagisawa, Yoshiyasu', who is our ancestor, because there is history behind them.
Erinji temple is well-known as a family temple of 'Takeda, Shingen' who was a feudal load with military prestige in 16centries. His line and Yanagisawa line are closely linked, so they are buried next each other in that temple even though they showed up different period.
Incidentally Kuninobu is the Takedas, the 16th generation.

The director of the museum in Erinji is willing to exhibit some articles which are not usually displayed in the showcase.

Kuninobu and I were really glad to hear it.
After we left there, we moved to next place.
It was a place you can see the panoramic views of Kofu basin.
It would be a perfect place for love birds in the night. ;-)

Then we moved to another place.
It is 'Maizuru Castle's ruins'.
Yanagisawa family was a lord of it in 1705 till his son, Yanagisawa, Yoshisato was told by Japanese feudal government to move to Yamato-Koriyama in Nara.
After they moved, unfortunately the castle was burnt down.

The view from Maizuru Castle's ruins

Kuninobu and I wanted all of my families to visit the places we went on that day. But many of our members are old now. Some of them have difficulties to walk. So we have to think about the course of the trip carefully.
I think I am going to be busy with making a tour schedule.

Hurray, Arwen!

written by Arwen