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Beneath the expansive sky, where the gentle hues of dawn caress the horizon, stands a mountain steeped in the echoes of history. This is Tennozan, a sentinel rising 270 meters above the confluence of the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu rivers, marking the threshold between the ancient provinces of Yamashiro and Settsu. (zh.wikipedia.org)
The ascent begins at the venerable Hōshaku-ji Temple, nestled at the mountain's base. Its weathered gates and moss-clad stones whisper tales of bygone eras. The path, known as "Hideyoshi's Road," winds through a verdant canopy, where dappled sunlight dances upon the forest floor. Along the trail, ceramic plaques narrate the storied past, each step a journey through time. (town.oyamazaki.kyoto.jp)
Midway up, the "Flag-Raising Pine" stands as a living testament to the Battle of Yamazaki. Here, in 1582, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's standard soared, rallying his forces against Akechi Mitsuhide. The current pine, a descendant of the original, continues to oversee the land where destinies were forged. (town.oyamazaki.kyoto.jp)
Further along, the path leads to the summit, where the remnants of Yamazaki Castle lie. Constructed by Hideyoshi following his victory, the castle served as a bastion during his ascent to power. Though time has reclaimed much, the foundations, stone walls, and the hollowed wells remain, silent witnesses to the ambitions and struggles that once unfolded here. (town.oyamazaki.kyoto.jp)
Nearby, a solemn grove shelters the graves of seventeen loyalists who, during the tumultuous days of the late Edo period, chose death over dishonor. Their spirits seem to linger among the rustling leaves, a poignant reminder of unwavering resolve. (town.oyamazaki.kyoto.jp)
From the summit, the panorama unfolds—a tapestry of rivers weaving through the land, the distant cityscapes of Kyoto and Osaka shimmering on the horizon. The air is thick with the scent of pine and earth, and the whispers of history seem to ride the breeze.
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Tennozan stands as a monument to the passage of time. Here, where the past and present converge, one can't help but feel the weight of history and the enduring spirit of those who walked these paths before.