Station #49: Tsuchiyama is situated in the mountain forest and was known for its plentiful spring rainfall. We sympathize with the forward guards in the daimyo's procession as they trudge through the heavy rain. They are crossing the Tamura River which flows beside the Tamura Myojin Shrine dedicated to Tamuramaro Sakanoue (758-811). He was a brave military commander who saw service with three emperors in the early Heian Period. In 797 he was the first commander to be awarded the title of seii tai shogun - barbarian-quelling general - for suppressing the aboriginal Ezo people of northeastern Honshu. He is traditionally said to have sponsored the Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto (featured in the Kyoto print).

Image Copyright: Minneapolis Institute of Art