A short letter in Japan: The shortest letter in Japan

佐藤千寿子 a week ago

``One stroke of wisdom, be careful of fire, don't make the fairy cry, fatten the horse'' This letter, written by Honda Sakuzaemon Shigetsugu, a distinguished vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, to his wife from his camp, expresses his feelings of protecting his home, loving his family, and being loyal to him in a short sentence. The ``Issho Keijo Award'' was born because the ``Osen'' in the text was Narishige Honda, the first lord of the Maruoka domain. Since the first competition in 1993, this museum has exhibited a number of award-winning works selected by famous judges. The museum opened in 2015. From slightly heartrending letters to comical letters that make you laugh, I lost track of time as I was immersed in reading these short sentences packed with so much emotion. By the time I left the mansion, I was like, ``Huh? You'll have a rich and fulfilling time that will make you wonder which one is the main attraction, Maruoka Castle. already! My heart was warmed by the many letters that touched my heart. Grab your heart! We strongly recommend that you visit this place together with Maruoka Castle. And plenty of viewing time!

K S a month ago

There are also letters on display that sometimes make me laugh. The second floor is a space where two videos about Maruoka Castle are shown for reference.

Veronica Listopad a year ago

I wish I could add videos, but unfortunately I can't. It worth visiting, definitely!

Trans-word plus TGM 4 years ago

Brief Message from the Heart Museum is located right across the street from Maruoka Castle. The museum was opened in 2015. Since Japan has a culture to expressing a message in one stroke of brief writing which contains a lot of meanings. The museum displays masterpiece of prize-winning brief letters from a letter contest held in Japan started in 1993. The motif of this museum is a writing style of Honda Shigetsugu who was a vassal of Tokugawa Shogunate. Shigetsugu often wrote a message to his family in his time in a brief writing style which conveys a lot of messages. Later this style of writing was much recognized as a beautiful form of art. In this museum you can see a large collection of brief messages collected from the past for more than 20 years. Please feel how those letters expressed within 40 count of letters can convey one's thoughts and feelings to your heart. In a section called Fumino Taki " Waterfall of letters " displays prize-winning works in 10-meter wide screens with impression of waterfall in the background. Up on its top floor is a observation room where you can command a nice view of the townscape around Maruoka Castle. There is a movie introducing seasonal attraction of the city shown in the room with a large screen. From time to time they make a project of special exhibition. ( Trans-word+ : TGM Japan Guide )

Flaria 6 years ago

Nice place I am sure if you know Japanese you will enjoy more than me.