Graves of the Martyrs 釈迦堂「殉死の墓」

Official explanation

The 24 graves inside the low stone fence belong to vassals of the Tokugawa family, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. These 24 vassals died between 1610 and 1668.

From the left, the first five graves in the front row are those of personal aides of the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu (1604–1651). These five vassals committed ritual suicide after the death of their lord, a practice known as junshi, in order to serve him in the next world. Loyalty is a hallmark of samurai culture, and junshi is perhaps its most extreme example.

Read the full explanation

The “way of the warrior” (bushido), an informal code of behavior and ethics of the samurai, demanded loyalty even beyond death. During Japan’s Warring States period between 1467 and 1568, these ritual suicides usually took place on the battlefield when one’s lord was killed or captured. After Japan entered a period of peace under the Tokugawa regime, many retainers continued the practice of junshi to demonstrate their loyalty, committing suicide even when their lords died of natural causes.

The practice of junshi was prohibited by law in 1663 by the fourth Tokugawa shogun, Ietsuna (1641–1680).

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.