Historical landmark • 389 Imafukuchō Higashimen, Matsuura, Nagasaki 859-4522, Japan
In a corner of Matsura City, Nagasaki Prefecture, stands a seemingly decrepit memorial pagoda. This pagoda holds within it a mysterious and historically significant presence. While it may be a familiar sight to the locals, understanding the stories embedded in this pagoda will surely reveal new enchantment in what seems like an ordinary landscape.
According to ancient records, the land of Matsura was known as "Matsura no kuni," serving as a crucial hub connecting Wa (Japan) and the continent. The history of exchange through the peninsula, including Fukuma, Shiga Island, Shima Peninsula, and Karatsu, remains deeply preserved. With time, the powerful Matsura family rose to prominence, serving Oda Nobunaga in the Warring States period and participating in the Korean campaign.
This memorial pagoda serves as a place of mourning for the lords and vassals of the Matsura family who lost their lives in Korea. The pagoda stands quietly, seemingly bearing the weight of lives lost on the peninsula. Descendants of those who once crossed from the continent to this land, met their demise in a distant land, reflecting an ironic fate. This memorial pagoda may encapsulate a history of exchange and discontinuity.
The seemingly decaying memorial pagoda carries an unimaginable weight. While pondering the unseen stories, why not feel the quiet presence of this pagoda in this place? Surely, it allows for a fresh perspective to reexamine Matsura's land, as if the witness of history is calling out to you in a new way.