Examples of famous ninja groups used by Sengoku warlords: A legend from the mid-Edo period recounts that Date Masamune organized a secret spy group called the "Kurohabaki-gumi," but other powerful warlords...
What kind of missions did "ninjas" undertake? The Kurohabaki-gumi, a ninja group said to have been founded by Date Masamune, first appears in historical records from the mid-Edo period, and is associated with Masamune...
Introduction: The Sengoku period—a time when armored warriors clashed in battles, utilizing the skills of swordsmanship, spears, bows, and horsemanship. This is a stereotypical portrayal, and the era cannot be described in such a simple statement...
What exactly are the "Gozan" (Five Mountains)? In the first two parts of this series, we've looked at the history of how Date Masamune concentrated five Rinzai Zen temples in Kitayama, north of Sendai Castle, and how they came to be revered as the "Kitayama Gozan." ...
The "Date Gozan" (Five Mountains of Date) before the Kitayama Gozan: The Kitayama Gozan underwent changes due to the shifting of the Date clan's territory before settling in its current location, and the first establishment of the Five Mountains...
Introduction The word "ZEN" is so widely recognized that it's almost globally renowned, and the Buddhist meditation practice of Zazen is extremely well-known. It's not simply about concentrating the mind...
Essential for pickles! Where does salt come from and how is it obtained in the Tohoku region? In the Tohoku region, the technique of pickling vegetables, a vital source of nutrition, has developed remarkably well as a way to survive the long, harsh winters...
This is the second installment of our special feature on pickles from the Tohoku region, focusing on Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures. Pickles are one of the dishes that clearly reflect regional characteristics, but their history isn't necessarily all from ancient times. ...
Japan is said to be one of the world's leading countries in the use of fermented foods. It's no exaggeration to say that its food culture wouldn't exist without the power of fermentation, including soy sauce and miso, which are indispensable seasonings in Japanese cuisine.
The types of gifts and tributes presented by the Sendai Domain: It appears that the Sendai Domain, since the time of Date Masamune, had a deep understanding of and dedication to cuisine and ingredients. And this was in contrast to the central government, the shogunate...
