When visiting temples or shrines in Japan, please remember that these are sacred places. Any behavior that shows disrespect — such as touching sacred objects, entering restricted areas, or making noise — can be seen as both culturally offensive and legally punishable under Japanese law (Article 188 of the Penal Code).
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Tobe shrine in Nagoya
Tomobe Shrine, located in Minami Ward, Nagoya City, was established in 1603. It is quite an old shrine. However, it is not a tourist attraction. Since only locals visit, it remains a quiet and peaceful place. The main shrine hall is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. When I visited, it was under renovation, so I couldn’t see it. In Minami Ward, nearby, you can also find Kasadera Kannon and Kasadera Park. It’s interesting to explore them together while taking a walk.
Within the shrine grounds, there is a stone monument dedicated to Tobe Shinzaemon, a powerful local ruler who once governed this area. Many people may not be familiar with Tobe Shinzaemon, so I will provide a textbook-style explanation below.
During the Sengoku period, when the Oda clan of Owari and the Imagawa clan of Suruga were in conflict, Tobe Shinzaemon, the lord of Tobe Castle, was a loyal vassal of Imagawa Yoshimoto. A brave warrior, he fought valiantly on the front lines.
Struggling to deal with him, Oda Nobunaga devised a plan to eliminate Shinzaemon. He had one of his retainers forge a letter imitating Shinzaemon’s handwriting, falsely claiming that he was secretly communicating with Nobunaga. Nobunaga then entrusted the forged letter to Mori Sanzaemon (Mori Yoshinari), the father of his loyal page Mori Ranmaru, and sent him to Suruga.
Believing the forgery, Yoshimoto flew into a rage and summoned Shinzaemon. Before he could plead his innocence, he was ordered to commit seppuku in Yoshida (present-day Toyohashi City) on May 1, 1557. Thus, Shinzaemon met a tragic and unjust end.
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