Yamaguchi City 山口市

The Old Town Crossroads - A Door to the West

At the south-eastern tip of the island of Honshu, a stone's throw from the southern Kyushu, the city of Yamaguchi sits quietly on the banks of the Ichinosaka river. Rich in history, famous for missionary Saint-Francis-Xavier pass through its streets.

Western Japan Kyoto

Yamaguchi was originally a city built by the very powerful Ouchi clan. This large family from western Japan claimed to be descended from the Baejke aristocracy (18 BC - 660), a Korean kingdom that had great importance in the history of Japan (introduction of Buddhism, construction of Nara) and whose elite would have taken refuge in Japan during the Asuka period (538 - 710).

Between 12th and 14th centuries, the Ouchi makes Yamaguchi an extremely flourishing city, built on the model of Kyoto, and has a rich traditional culture. 

Yamaguchi also benefited from the indirect fallout from the Onin War (1467-1477) during which Kyoto is totally ravaged by the struggle between the Hosokawa and the Yamana to become the other artistic capital of the country.

The city is a large influential city welcoming painters as prestigious as Sesshu. Its openness to international trade (with China in particular, then Westerners) also makes Yamaguchi a hub for intercultural exchanges.

Portrait of Sesshu

Portrait of Sesshu (1420 - 1506)

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Church of St. Francis Xavier of Yamaguchi

Church of St. Francis Xavier of Yamaguchi

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Activities in Yamaguchi - traditional Japan at your fingertips

This western influence of Yamaguchi should not make us forget that the city is also a perfect example of traditional Japan which delights many visitors. 

The 5-story pagoda of Ruriko-ji is there to testify to the pervasiveness of Buddhism in the city. Built-in 1442, it is one of the most imposing in the country along with Horyu-ji (in the vicinity of Nara) and Daigo-ji of Kyoto. This national treasure is nestled within Kozan Park, where we also find:

Le Ruriko-ji - Yamaguchi

Le Ruriko-ji - Yamaguchi

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All the way on the southern end of Honshu Island, just north of Kyushu, is Yamaguchi Prefecture.