What is the special connection between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Mount Fuji?

Hey! Talking about Tokugawa Ieyasu and Mount Fuji is way more complex than just "his house was next to it." Their connection spans Ieyasu's entire life and continues to this day. It’s a really interesting story – let me break it down for you.

You can understand their special relationship through these aspects:

1. The "Long-standing Neighbor" and Spiritual Anchor

This is probably the most obvious point. The heartland of Tokugawa Ieyasu's rise to power was in what's now Shizuoka Prefecture (the ancient provinces of Suruga and Tōtōmi), and Mount Fuji is the most prominent landmark in this area.

• The Backdrop to His Childhood and Retirement: As a child hostage, Ieyasu lived in Sunpu (modern-day Shizuoka City), where he looked up daily at the majestic Mount Fuji. Later, after achieving great success, he chose to retire... back to Sunpu Castle. Essentially, Mount Fuji witnessed both the beginning and the end of his life, symbolizing both his nostalgia and his final resting place. Gazing daily at a sacred and magnificent mountain like this undoubtedly subtly shaped his mindset and perspective.

2. The Symbol of Power: Mount Fuji for the Nation's Ruler

In Japanese culture, Mount Fuji isn't just a mountain; since ancient times, it has been revered as a sacred peak, a symbol of Japan itself. Whoever controlled the crucial lands at Fuji's feet was seen as possessing Japan's "divine mandate."

• Establishment of Edo as the Capital: The shogunate Ieyasu founded was based in Edo (modern Tokyo). From Edo Castle, too, one could gaze upon Mount Fuji. The mountain stood like a colossal spiritual totem, watching over the Edo era he had inaugurated. Whenever people in Edo looked towards Mount Fuji, it evoked the authority of the Tokugawa clan and the peace of that era.

3. The Crucial Link: Ownership of Mount Fuji's "Summit"

This point represents the most "technical" connection and a topic many people love to discuss.

Simply put: The ownership of Mount Fuji's summit area today actually belongs to a shrine, and the original land deed granting that part was given by Tokugawa Ieyasu himself.

Here's how it happened:

1. In 1606, thanking the gods for victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu donated the portion of Mount Fuji from approximately the eighth station (hachigōme – a large section below the summit) upwards to the Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha. This was considered an immense honor at the time.
2. This ownership remained valid throughout the Edo period. During the Meiji Restoration, as part of government "nationalization" policies, Mount Fuji's summit was confiscated by the state.
3. After World War II, during nationwide efforts for the "Separation of Religion and State" (specifically, the implementation of the Shinto Directive), shrine lands previously seized by the state began to be returned. Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha embarked on a long legal battle demanding the return of the summit.
4. The case finally reached the Supreme Court of Japan in 2004, which ruled in favor of the Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha, confirming their ownership of the land above Station 8.

So, while we can't say "Tokugawa Ieyasu owned Mount Fuji," his act of donation directly shaped the ownership of Mount Fuji's summit for the following centuries. This deep connection, legal in nature, is truly unique.

4. The Final Resting Place and Eternal Guardianship

After his death, Ieyasu's body was first laid to rest at Kunōzan Tōshō-gū (in Shizuoka). The location was strategically chosen: positioned between Sunpu Castle and Mount Fuji, allowing the mountain to be venerated from Kunōzan.

It's said Ieyasu's final wish was for his mausoleum to face west (towards his birthplace in Mikawa Province) while also allowing him to eternally protect the Edo shogunate he founded, with sacred Mount Fuji serving as his everlasting guardian and witness. Although his deified spirit was later moved to the more ornate Nikkō Tōshō-gū, Kunōzan, as his initial resting place, maintains an inseparable connection to Mount Fuji.

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To Summarize

So you see, the relationship between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Mount Fuji is multi-layered:

• Personally: It was the "mountain of his homeland," a companion throughout life.
• Politically: It was the "mountain of the realm," symbolizing power and legitimacy.
• Legally & Historically: Through his donation, it became the "mountain bound by a contract," with an impact lasting to this day.
• Spiritually: It was the "mountain of guardianship," watching eternally over him and the peace he established.

Next time you see a photo of Mount Fuji, you can tell your friends the tale hidden behind this beautiful peak – that of an astute ruler who ended the Warring States period and ushered in peace. Pretty fascinating, isn't it?