The history of Uzumasa started in 5th century when Hata clan came from Korean Peninsula and settled in the north-west area of Kyoto.
The Hata clan were very good at making silk products, and introduced the civil engineering and construction, sake brewing and other developed techniques to Japan.
There is a mystery about where Hata clan came from. Though they came from Korean Peninsula, it is said that they might come from China, or even much farther, from Middle East countries.
Koryu-ji Temple is in front of Randen Uzumasa Koryu-ji Station. This temple was founded by Hata Kawakatsu who was the leader of Hata clan in 7th century. He assisted the sovereign act of Prince Shotoku-taishiin in Asuka period.
It is ssid that the major sacred statue, Miroku-bosatsu was given to Hata Kawakatsu by Shotoku-taishi.
Now we can see the statue and the statue of Shotoku-taishi in Koryu-ji.
There is aother place which is associated with Hata clan near Randen Kaiko-no-Yashiro Station. It’s formal name is Kono-shimanimasu-Amaterasu-mitama Shrine, but commonly it’s called Kaiko-no-Yashiro(=Silkworm Shrine). Hata clan were very good at producing silk from silkworms, so they built the shrine to offer their thanks to silkworms.
This shrine is famous for its mysterious ”torii” with three pillars. Most of toriis have only two pillars. We don’t know why this torii has three pillars. Some people say that
it is the evidence of that Hata clan came from the Middle East, because three pillars mean Trinity, the ancient Christian doctrine; or the above view of the torii is similar to the David’s Star of the Israel Kingdom. This might be a far fetched theory, but is still interesting and full of mysteries.
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| the formal name of the shrine, Konoshimanimasu-Amaterasu-mitama Shrine |
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| Buildings are very old and made of wood. |
The torii with three pillars are in the dark woods and retained the ancient atmosphere  |
| Three-pillared torii |
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