Mausoleum of Shogun’s Wife from 1652
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
28 mm ISO 200 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/5.0
Mausoleum of Shogun’s Wife from 1652
Location: Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, Tokyo
Timestamp: 14:40 on October 25, 2023
The former Jisho-in Otamaya mausoleum (旧自証院霊屋) stands as a testament to Japanese history and architectural craftsmanship. Erected in 1652, this beautiful structure was commissioned by Princess Chiyo, the wife of Mitsumoto Tokugawa, a prominent feudal lord of the Owari Domain. It was built to honor her deceased mother, Ofuri-no-Kata, who was the wife of the third shogun, Iemitsu Tokugawa.
Originally situated within the temple grounds of Jishōji Temple in the Tomihisacho district of Shinjuku Ward, Edo (modern-day Tokyo), the mausoleum was constructed by the same skilled craftsmen who were responsible for building the opulent mausoleum of Ieyasu Tokugawa in Nikko, commonly known as Toshogu Shrine. Ieyasu Tokugawa was the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868.
In 1955, the mausoleum, which had fallen into disrepair, was acquired by Seibu Railway Co., Ltd. where they then relocated it to the grounds of the Akasaka Prince Hotel in central Tokyo. Four decades later, in 1995, it found its permanent home at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. During the relocation process, both the exterior and interior were meticulously restored to their original grandeur.
This small edifice is a remarkable architectural masterpiece, adorned with vibrant wood carvings and ornate metal embellishments throughout. Not only does it represent the pinnacle of architectural technology from the early Edo period (1603 to 1868), but it also provides a glimpse into the influence and prestige of the Tokugawa family.
Today, the former Jisho-in Otamaya Mausoleum is preserved at the Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum. It holds a unique distinction as one of the few structures in Tokyo that remained unscathed during the bombings of World War II.
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