秋山兄弟生誕地

The Akiyama Brothers’ Birthplace is a facility that reconstructs the childhood home of brothers Yoshifuru Akiyama and Saneyuki Akiyama, known as the protagonists of Ryotaro Shiba’s historical novel “”Saka no Ue no Kumo.”” It is about a 3-minute walk from the Iyotetsu city tram “”Okaido”” stop. The area of Kachimachi (literally “”foot soldier town””) was historically a district where lower-ranking samurai who fought on foot (kachi) lived during the Edo period. Yoshifuru Akiyama is also known as “”the father of Japanese cavalry”” for his role as commander of the Army’s 1st Cavalry Brigade in the Russo-Japanese War. Saneyuki Akiyama served as a naval operations staff officer during the same war and contributed significantly to Japan’s victory. The residence has been faithfully recreated based on surviving photographs and testimony from descendants, including spaces such as the tatami rooms and entrance. Inside are materials related to the brothers, including examples of their handwriting. In the front garden stand an equestrian statue of Yoshifuru and a bust of Saneyuki. About a 5-minute walk away is the “”Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum,”” also worth visiting together.