About
Amidst the bustle of Tokyo, in a corner of Nihonbashi Kodemmacho, Chuo Ward, there is a place that transcends the flow of time and is filled with tranquility. This is the former site of the Denmacho Prison, now known as Jisshi Park. This location conveys the weight of history to the present day as the place where Yoshida Shoin, a patriot of the late Edo period, met his end.
Passing through the entrance of the park, the noise of the city recedes, and you are greeted by silence and greenery. Walking among the trees, you come across a quietly standing stone monument. Inscribed on the monument is Shoin’s death poem: “Even if my body should decay in the fields of Musashi, I will leave behind my Yamato spirit.” These words convey his unwavering conviction and deep love for his homeland.
Yoshida Shoin was born in 1830 in Matsumoto Village, Hagi, Choshu. From childhood, he devoted himself to learning, mastered the Yamaga school of military science, and nurtured many disciples. However, his passion was not confined to Japan; he also had a strong interest in foreign countries. In 1854, during the arrival of the Black Ships, he attempted to stow away but failed and was captured in Shimoda. He was then sent to the Denmacho prison, where he was incarcerated for about six months. At this time, in front of Sengakuji Temple in Takanawa, he composed the poem: “Knowing full well what will happen if I do this, my Yamato spirit cannot be suppressed.” From this poem, one can sense his determination and feelings for his homeland.
After his release, he returned to his hometown of Hagi and raised many patriots at Shokasonjuku. Figures such as Ito Hirobumi, Yamagata Aritomo, and Kido Takayoshi, who played key roles in the Meiji Restoration, were also taught by him. However, he was implicated in the Ansei Purge and was again imprisoned in Denmacho. On October 27, 1859, at the young age of 30, he was executed. Just before his execution, he composed the poem: “Now I die for my country; in death, I do not betray my lord or parents. The affairs of heaven and earth are vast; the gods and spirits bear witness,” and quietly met his end.
Today, within Jisshi Park, there are stone monuments inscribed with Shoin’s death poem and information boards detailing his life. The remains of the old prison well are also preserved in the park, evoking memories of that time. In one corner of the park stands the “Toki no Kane” (Bell of Time), whose sound has marked the hours since the Edo period and still rings out unchanged.
Visiting this place, Shoin’s way of life and spirit quietly resonate in the heart. It is a place where one can feel the breath of history amidst the city’s bustle. His aspirations and passion still live on here, leaving a deep impression on all who visit.