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Family Cemetery of Lord Katakura |
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At the foot of Mt. Atagoyama on the outskirts of Shiroishi lies the Family
Cemetery of Lord Kojuro Kagetsuna Katakura. Ten generations of the feudal
lord’s family are buried in this area amidst densely forested cedar trees.
The seventh generation castle lord Murakane’s wife is also buried here in the second plot from the right. Murakane’s wife was born a Date of the Sendai Feudal Clan. As a gesture of great respect to the powerful family, she was buried here together with the male members of the Katakura Family.
On the tenth generation castle lord, Munekage’s grave, there is a tombstone in place of a Buddhist statue. Munekage died just after the Meiji Restoration, during which period, feudalism was abolished and imperial rule was restored. By this time, the Katakura’s had lost their position in society and were no longer financially able to provide statues as memorials.
Surrounded by a fence of round granite stones, the statues of the Amida
Buddha represent the souls of all the Katakura lords. The Buddha’s look
towards the direction of Shiroishi Castle as though they are wishing for
the peace and prosperity of Shiroishi. |
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