Zuihoden

Date Masamune ruled Sendai and the surrounding domain from 1600 until his death in 1636, and the mausoleum built over his grave on a wooded hill above the Hirose river was in the Momoyama style - dense polychrome carving, black lacquer, gold leaf and coloured pigment on every visible surface. The original was destroyed in 1945. The rebuilding in 1979 followed an excavation of the tomb beneath, which recovered his remains and grave goods and allowed a reconstruction of his appearance and physical condition; the small museum on the site displays what was found. Two further mausoleums for his son and grandson stand on the same hill and are plainer, which makes the contrast legible. The approach is a stone stair under tall cedars, and the whole hill turns in late November.

History

Date Masamune, the "one-eyed dragon" and founder of the Sendai Domain, left instructions for a mausoleum when he died in 1636, and Zuihōden was put up the following year; later Date lords and other members of the clan are buried in the grounds, and the monuments have been rebuilt in their original Momoyama style (Wikipedia, Zuihōden).

What you'll find

• Momoyama polychrome - dense carving, lacquer and gold leaf on every surface.
• A 1979 rebuilding - reconstructed after the original was destroyed in 1945.
• The excavation museum - grave goods and findings from the tomb beneath.
• Three mausoleums - Masamune's and the plainer tombs of his son and grandson.

When to go

Late November for colour on the approach; all year otherwise. Two hours.

Before you go

The building is a modern reconstruction, not an original - the colours are new by design. The approach is a steep stone stair with no lift. Entry is charged. It is small and the visit is short.

Nearby

Sendai Castle ruins are west on the same ridge; the city centre is north-east.

Key facts