【下関市】源平合戦に敗れた平家落人が隠れ住んだ地 - 大了寺集落

The Ooroji settlement in Kikugawa-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is currently an abandoned village (remains of a settlement) with no residents, but it is a fascinating place with a history of mining and legends of Heike refugees. 1. Location and Geography Location: Nakayama, Kikugawa-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (formerly the Higashi-Nakayama district of Kikugawa-cho). It is located in the upper reaches of the Hasakagayoku River, a tributary of the Koyagawa River, along a valley at an altitude of approximately 160 meters. Environment: Located deep in the mountains, further upstream from the scenic Chuzankei Gorge, this remote area is currently accessible via mountain paths from the direction of the Koyagawa Dam (Yunohara Dam) or the Nakayamakei promenade. 2. The Origin of the Settlement and the Legend of the Heike Fugitives Legend of the Heike Hidden Village: It's said that the village began when members of the Heike clan, defeated by the Minamoto clan in the Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185, fled their pursuers and took refuge deep in the mountains. Origin of the Name: The name is said to have originated from the fact that the refugees built a Shingon Buddhist temple called "Dairyoji" (also written as "Yuryoji" or "Yuryoji") here. The settlement remains, including a place known as the "Bozu Yashiki" (Bozu House) and the remains of an old well. 3. A Prosperous Mining Past While at first glance it appears to be a quiet farming village, it has a unique history as a bustling mine where copper and other ores were mined. Three Development Booms: Mining took place during times of increased military demand: the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), and World War I (1912-1913). Bustle at the Time: While the overall reserves were small and did not last long, at its peak, several lodges (lodgings for workers) were built in the mountains, and the area was bustling with nearly 100 workers. Even today, traces of ore and blast holes can be seen on the riverbank. 4. Mountain Life and Culture Agriculture and Livelihood: Although the village was located along a narrow mountain valley, the people built impressive stone walls and developed terraced farmland and waterways, enabling them to make a living. Education and Religion: There was once a shrine called "Ryuosha" within the village. Furthermore, according to the "Kikugawa Town History," there is a record that until the beginning of the Meiji period (around 1868), a retired monk from the nearby Jokokuji Temple would travel to the old family home (the Kushiyama family) in the Dairyoji village to provide terakoya education to the children. 5. From the Village Closure to the Present While there are still traces of agriculture and other activities (such as cement structures) remaining from the Showa era's period of rapid economic growth (around the 1960s), the area gradually became depopulated and is now uninhabited. Today, the impressive moss-covered stone walls and remains of houses are gradually returning to nature, and the area has become a popular spot for hikers and enthusiasts of exploring abandoned villages, as a place that evokes vestiges of history. Dairyoji Village is characterized by its tranquil natural surroundings, condensing history from the legend of the Heike clan to modern mining development. [Mystical Journey - Mituki] Sub-Channel    / @mysticaltravels   [Hermit Hut] Sub-Channel    / @hermit-hut   [Instagram]   / gods.travels   X (formerly Twitter)   / godstravels   Facebook   / mikamoto.mituki   Threads https://www.threads.net/@God.Travels 00:00 Start 00:34 Google Earth 11:17 Dairyoji Village 15:03 Little Japan Folktales: The Heike Refugee 16:05 Old Well 30:27 Little Japan Folktales: The Mine