Iimoriyama Hill (Byakkotai) 飯盛山 - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

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Most viewed - Iimoriyama Hill (Byakkotai) 飯盛山

Monument from Rome, Italy, given in 1928 by Mussolini. The column is from the ruins of a palace in Pompeii.280 views

Byakkotai souvenirs198 views

Monument from a German, Hasso von Etzdorf (1900 - 1989).194 views

Entrance to Iimoriyama Hill, site of the Byakkotai "White Tiger" Battalion gravesite. In 1868, a unit of teenage warriors called Byakkotai (White Tiger Battalion) fought against the Emperor-backed Imperial forces encroaching their domain of Aizu181 views

Monument message in Italian. After WWII, the US Occupation authorities wanted this monument removed. But all they did was remove the engraved message (later restored).176 views

About the monument from Rome.155 views

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Graves of the 19 teenage Byakkotai warriors who killed themselves with their own swords.145 views

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Painting depicting Byakkotai suicide on Iimoriyama Hill142 views

Byakkotai gravestones. Each one shows the name, age, and method of death called "jijin" (died with one's own sword 自刃).140 views

Sazaedo139 views

Escalator to go up Iimoriyama Hill. Their tombstones are on this hill near where they killed themselves. Their story has become legend.138 views

Byakkotai Gravesite. It is on a flat area which also has several other Byakkotai monuments including those from other countries.134 views

Approach to the Byakkotai gravesite.128 views

Slope where they committed seppuku (hara-kiri). 自刃の地128 views

Another monument127 views

Byakkotai statue outside the Byakkotai Memorial Museum125 views

In despair, the boys decided to kill themselves rather than die in the hands of the enemy. Photo: Escalator to go up Iimoriyama Hill.123 views

On the left of the gravestones, there is a monument for a poem composed by Lord Matsudaira Katamori, the last Aizu lord and whom the Byakkotai died for. 幾人の　涙は石にそそぐとも　その名は世々に　朽じとぞ思う123 views幾人の　涙は石にそそぐとも　その名は世々に　朽じとぞ思う
Ikutari no namida wa ishi ni sosogu tomo sono na wa yoyo ni kuji to zo omou
"No matter how many people pour their tears on these stones, these names will never fade from the world."

Grave of Iinuma Sadakichi (Sadao) (1854-1931). His grave was built here in 1957 for the 90th anniversary of the Byakkotai's demise. 飯沼貞吉123 views

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The Byakkotai were outnumbered and forced to retreat. Twenty of them escaped to Iimoriyama Hill where they saw what looked liked a burning Tsurugajo Castle. Photo: Pay a small fee to take the escalator up the hill. Or climb up the steps for free.121 views

On the right side are more gravestones. These are 31 Byakkotai members who died in battle. 戦死121 views

Statue of a teenage samurai looking at Wakamatsu Castle.121 views

Arrow points to Tsuruga-jo Castle.119 views

This has become a national shrine, almost as important as Sengakuji where the 47 masterless samurai are buried.118 views

Site where they committed seppuku (hara-kiri). 自刃の地118 views

Names of Byakkotai members, all 14 to 17 years old.117 views

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Sazaedo, a unique wooden, hexagonal structure which you will see when coming down from Iimoriyama.116 views

Byakkotai Graves115 views

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Sazaedo115 views

A short walk away is the grave of Iinuma Sadakichi, the only Byakkotai survivor who had slit himself, but was rescued by a villager passing by when everyone else had killed themselves.114 views

Byakko Kannon statue114 views

Monument for teenage samurai who died in battle.111 views

Opened in 1956, the Byakkotai Memorial Museum has numerous artifacts related to the Byakkotai as well as the Shinsengumi. Photography inside is not allowed. Admission 400 yen.111 views