Zuiryūsan, Historic cemetery in Hitachiota, Japan
Zuiryūsan is a historic cemetery located on the southern slopes of Kunimiyama mountain, spreading across several hundred meters in both east-west and north-south directions. The site contains a total of 119 graves from the Edo Period and holds the status of an official Japanese cultural heritage site.
The cemetery was founded in 1661 and was originally established for family members and trusted associates of Tokugawa Mitsukuni. Over the course of the Edo Period, it became an important burial place for the Mito Tokugawa clan and related noble families.
The burial ground reflects Confucian funeral practices established by Tokugawa Mitsukuni, with gravestones featuring distinct designs and dragon-shaped bases without religious symbols. The arrangement of graves follows a clear hierarchical structure that mirrors the social standing of those interred.
The site is located about 15 minutes by car from Hitachi-Ōta Station and is not open to the public year-round. Visitors should check in advance as access is restricted to specific periods.
Among those buried here is Zhu Zhiyu, a Ming dynasty scholar and political exile who served as an advisor to the local daimyo. His presence reflects the connections between Japan and China during the Edo Period.
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