【Strolling through Nishi-ward 63】Memorial Monument of Sh?zan Sakuma, a pioneer of opening the country 【Strolling through Nishi-ward 63】Memorial Monument of Sh?zan Sakuma, a pioneer of opening the country
Spot information
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| Web site | https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/nishi/shokai/kanko/spot/sozoroaruki/ |
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Description
Strolling through Nishi-ward: Memorial Monument of Sh?zan Sakuma, a pioneer of opening the country
When it comes to a dominant player of opening the Yokohama port, everyone gives credit to Tairo Naosuke Ii, which is looking down the port from the top of Kamom mountain where his bronze statue was located. However, there is a great memorial monument of a pioneer of the opening the port in Nogeyama Park. It was built in Showa 29 and its monumental inscription was engraved by Ry?z? Hiranuma, a major of the city at the time.
It is a memorial monument of Sh?zan Sakuma, who was from Shinshu Matsudai. He was praised for his talent since he was young. He had a great knowledge of languages and western gunnery. He moved to Yokohama as Military councilor from Matsudai Domain. However, his theory of opening the country was very forward-looking, so it was not accepted by executives of the Shogunate.
He was imprisoned for eight years in relation with stowaway incident of Shoin Yoshida. However, when he was riding on a horse in western-style cloths in Kyoto Kiyamachi, he was assassinated by an assassin of sonno-joi faction in July 1864.
Writing and picture by Tai Hasewaga (Nishi ward Cultural Association/Chairman of Kiko Society)
※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition between November 1997 and April 2004. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.
(Published January in 2003)