Tomb of Minabuchi no Shōan

A stone marker at a bend in the village lane

At a corner of the lane that climbs through the hamlet of Inabuchi stands a stone marker inscribed "Tomb of Master Minabuchi." The small mound behind it has long been said to be the grave of Minabuchi no Shōan. It is known as Shinmei-zuka.

The marker is said to bear a date corresponding to 1662. A tiny shrine stands on top of the mound; it is called Nakatomi Shrine.

A man who spent over thirty years on the continent

Shōan was one of the students who crossed to Sui-dynasty China in 608, accompanying the envoy Ono no Imoko. While he was there the Sui dynasty fell and the Tang rose in its place. He spent more than thirty years on the continent before returning to Japan in 640.

The Nihon Shoki (Japan's oldest official chronicle, compiled in 720) records his name as "Minabuchi no Ayahito Shōan." He is thought to have come from a family of immigrant descent. The years of his birth and death are unknown.

The road walked by Prince Naka no Ōe and Nakatomi no Kamatari

According to the Nihon Shoki, Prince Naka no Ōe and Nakatomi no Kamatari went together to Shōan to study "the teachings of Zhou and Kong," and on the way there and back they worked out their plan to overthrow the Soga clan. Zhou and Kong are the Duke of Zhou and Confucius; in other words, the teachings were Confucianism.

If so, the Isshi Incident of 645, the coup that destroyed the Soga, took shape on this very road.

Visiting

The site was designated a Historic Site of Asuka Village on 1 April 1977.

It lies at the top of a sloping lane that climbs from the stepping stones across the Asuka River. The road is narrow, so if you come by car, take care where you park.