Sanada Shrine — The Spirit of Wisdom, Courage, and Harmony
On September 12, 2017, I went to Sanada Shrine in Nagano Prefecture. There is a Stone Lantern on the left.
Located within the grounds of Ueda Castle in Nagano Prefecture, Sanada Shrine enshrines three legendary samurai — Masayuki Sanada, Yukimura (Nobushige) Sanada, and Nobuyuki Sanada. The shrine stands as a living monument to the harmony between intellect, bravery, and family unity that defined the Sanada clan throughout Japan’s history.
🏯 The Origins of Ueda Castle and the Sanada Clan
Ueda Castle was constructed in 1583 (Tensho 11) by Masayuki Sanada, a master strategist who turned the Chikuma River’s natural terrain into an impregnable fortress. The castle became famous as the “Castle That Never Fell.” Later, during the Siege of Osaka (1614–1615), Masayuki’s son, Yukimura Sanada, commanded just 3,000 warriors and outmaneuvered a Tokugawa army of 38,000, earning eternal fame as “the finest warrior in Japan.”
📜 The Historical Timeline of Sanada Shrine
The Sanada Shrine evolved alongside Ueda Castle, reflecting the city’s transformation from a samurai stronghold to a place of spiritual heritage. Below is a chronological table outlining the shrine’s history.
| Period / Era | Year (A.D.) | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensho 11 | 1583 | Construction of Ueda Castle | Masayuki Sanada built Ueda Castle, using the Chikuma River’s terrain to create a fortress known as the “Castle That Never Fell.” |
| Tensho 13 / Keicho 5 | 1585 / 1600 | First and Second Battles of Ueda | Masayuki and Yukimura Sanada defeated the Tokugawa army twice, solidifying the clan’s fame for strategy and courage. |
| Keicho 19 | 1614–1615 | Siege of Osaka | Yukimura Sanada defended the Sanada-maru fortress, repelling the Tokugawa main force and earning the title “Japan’s greatest samurai.” |
| Mid-Edo to Early Meiji Period | c.1650–1868 | Fujii-Matsudaira Clan Rule | The Fujii branch of the Matsudaira family governed Ueda for over 160 years, following the Sanada and Sengoku clans. |
| Kanbun 9 | 1669 | Passing of Lord Tadaharu (Chuzan) | The first Ueda domain lord, Tadaharu Matsudaira (title Chuzan), was buried at Konkaikōmyō-ji Temple in Kyoto. His memorial shrine became the origin of Sanada Shrine. |
| Meiji Restoration | 1868–1869 | Abolition of the Ueda Domain | The castle became government property and was later sold to the public. The site turned into farmland before its restoration. |
| Meiji 12 | 1879 | Founding of Matsudaira Shrine | Former Ueda retainers and volunteers established a shrine on the castle ruins, enshrining Tadaharu, Tadaaki, and Tadayasu Matsudaira. The land was donated by Heihachiro Maruyama. |
| Late Meiji | 1880s–1890s | Ueda Castle Park Established | The entire Honmaru (main bailey) became a public park attached to the shrine, serving as a cultural and spiritual center for Ueda citizens. |
| Showa 28 | 1953 | Unification of Lords and Name Change | The Sanada, Sengoku, and Matsudaira clans were enshrined together, and the name was changed to “Ueda Shrine.” |
| Showa 38 | 1963 | Renamed “Sanada Shrine” | To avoid confusion with another Ueda Shrine, it was renamed after the first lord, Masayuki Sanada. This is the current name. |
🪙 The Six Coins Crest — Symbol of Fearless Faith
The Rokumonsen (Six Coins Crest) symbolizes the fare to cross the Sanzu River in the afterlife. It reflects the Sanada family’s resolve to fight without fear of death. The red banners bearing the six coins still flutter at the shrine, inspiring visitors with the samurai spirit of courage and faith.
🌸 The Shrine Grounds and Deities
Sanada Shrine stands amid the stone walls and moats of Ueda Castle. In spring, cherry blossoms illuminate the precincts; in autumn, the foliage glows with the color of time. Each of the enshrined lords bestows distinct blessings:
- Masayuki Sanada — Wisdom, Strategy, and Victory
- Yukimura Sanada — Courage, Loyalty, and Fortune in Battle
- Nobuyuki Sanada — Family Harmony and Longevity
Visitors pray here not only for success and safety but to inherit the indomitable spirit of the Sanada lineage.
🧵 Sanada Himo — From Battlefield to Tea Ceremony
Sanada-himo was originally a durable flat cord used to bind armor and weapons. The founder of the tea ceremony, Sen no Rikyu, introduced it into chanoyu alongside stone lanterns. Over the centuries, it evolved into an elegant cord used in the tea ceremony to secure wooden boxes containing treasured utensils. Even today, artisans in Kyoto and Ueda continue to weave Sanada-himo, preserving a craft that links the discipline of the samurai with the aesthetics of Japan.
🪶 Legacy
Sanada Shrine enshrines the intertwined virtues of wisdom, courage, and harmony. The father who built the castle, the son who became a legend, and the brother who preserved the family’s honor — their spirits live on in this sacred place. Standing before the shrine, one can feel the echo of the samurai heart that still guards Ueda Castle today.