There used to be a beautiful castle in Kameyama as shown in the Hiroshige's ukiyoe.

Here is a famous story of revenge by Ishii brothers. Their father Masaharu who was a vassal of the feudal lord was asked to take care of his colleague's adopted son, Gengoemon and he did; he was looking for a job for Gengoemon. However, Gengoemon already started his business: instructing people in yari, Japanese fencing without telling Masaharu. Masaharu remonstrated with Gengoemon on his behavior. Instead of apologizing to Masaharu, however, Gengoemon asked him to play kendo game. Masaharu reluctantly accepted his offer and Masaharu beated Gengoemon. Since Gengoemon's lost was revealed among his pupils, he was so embarassed, and at the same time, he was very upset. Gengoemon sneaked into Masaharu's house at night and killed him with yari (fencing). Masaharu's brothers decided to revenge their father on him, but Gengoemon disappeared. It took 29 years to revenge him. 1st and 2nd son first tried to kill him but it wasn't successful. 1st son was killed by Gengoemon and 2nd son lost his life in a sea disaster while looking for Gengoemon. This time, the rest of Masaharu's sons decided to revenge their father and their brothers on Gengoemon and they finally did 29 years after their father was killed. Their revenge was applauded and they were hired at the place where their father used to work.

This district is nowadays famous for its candle industry-- the biggest candle industry in Japan. You can find a lots of unique candles there.

• Distance from Nihonbashi: 408.7 km

Shono

Seki

Tokaido route

• Go back to Tokaido 53 tsugi

• Go home

• Go back to Hiroshige's page