About
In a quiet corner of Shimomachiya 1-chome, Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, there is a place that speaks across the flow of time. It is the remains of a bridge pier from the Kamakura period, which emerged from underground due to the tremors of the Great Kanto Earthquake. Stepping onto this land, one is enveloped by a sensation as if the breath of history is softly whispering in your ear.
On the surface of the pond, a replica modeled after the original bridge pier stands quietly, while the surrounding cherry trees reflect the changing expressions of the four seasons. In spring, pale pink petals dance in the wind, drawing elegant patterns on the pond’s surface. The lush green leaves of summer soften the strong sunlight, offering cool shade to visitors. In autumn, the colored leaves decorate the water’s surface, and in the quiet of winter, the bare branches further accentuate the weight of history.
It is said that this bridge pier was built in 1198 by Shigenari Inage, a senior retainer of Yoritomo Minamoto, to commemorate his late wife. According to the “Azuma Kagami,” Yoritomo himself attended the bridge’s completion ceremony, and it is said that on his return journey, he fell from his horse, which became one of the causes of his death. Over the course of history, the course of the Sagami River changed, and this bridge pier lay underground for a long time, but during the liquefaction caused by the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, it reappeared above ground. This was a rare event in which an earthquake revived a relic of history.
Currently, the actual bridge pier has been reburied for preservation, and a detailed replica has been placed above it. Visitors can stroll around the pond and simultaneously feel the weight of history and the beauty of nature. Especially during the cherry blossom season in spring, pale petals float on the water’s surface, adding a touch of brilliance to the tranquility. This place, a serene space woven from history and nature, deeply moves the hearts of those who visit.
This corner of Chigasaki City is a place where past and present intersect, quietly conveying the depth of history and the beauty of nature to visitors. Standing here, it feels as if the flow of time stops for a moment, and stories from long ago are carried on the wind, whispering in your ear.