About
In a corner of Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, quietly nestled within a lush residential area, lies the “Hiratsuka no Tsuka.” This place is the legendary setting said to be the origin of the name “Hiratsuka,” and it continues to convey the breath of history to the present day.
In the mid-Heian period, in the first year of Ten’an (857), Masako Taira, the daughter of Prince Takami, who was a grandson of Emperor Kanmu, fell ill and died young while traveling from Kyoto to the eastern provinces. The local people mourned her, buried her coffin, and built a mound. It is said that because the top of the mound was flat, the place came to be called “Hiratsuka.” (hiratsuka-kankou.com)
Today, this legendary site has been developed into a park called “Hiratsuka no Tsuka Ryokuchi,” offering tranquility and peace to its visitors. Within the park, a stone monument in memory of Masako Taira has been erected, conveying her story to the present. Flowers of all seasons bloom in abundance around the area, soothing the hearts of those who visit.
When you visit this place, events from over a thousand years ago feel as if they happened just yesterday. The short life of Masako Taira and the feelings of those who mourned her are contained within this quiet mound. In this place where the weight of history and the kindness of people intersect, it seems as though the past and present are quietly conversing.
Hiratsuka no Tsuka is not merely a historical site, but a stage for a story that resonates in people’s hearts across time. Visitors will surely feel the depth of history and the importance of human bonds here. And the story of Masako Taira will continue to be passed down in this place for generations to come.