Grave of Yoriie (prefectural historic site)

Behind Tamon-in Temple at the foot of Hijiyama, there are the graves of the Rai clan, including Rai Sanyo's parents, Shunsui and Baishi, as well as his uncle Kyohei, his son Itsunan, and his grandson Seiken. Yoriie was born into a wealthy indigo dyeing family in Takehara, but all of his three brothers, Shunsui, Shunpu, and Kyohei, collectively known as the "Three Rai," and Shunsui's son Sanyo and his son Itsunan, were famous scholars. Shunsui studied Confucianism in Osaka and opened a private school, but in 1781, he was invited to become a professor when the seventh feudal lord, Asano Shigeakira, opened the Hiroshima Domain Academy. His wife, Baishi, is said to have also excelled in literature, especially waka poetry. Shunsui's younger brother, Kyohei, also studied Confucianism in Osaka and was appointed to the domain's academic office in 1785 (Tenmei 5). From around 1813 (Bunka 10), he served in various positions including county magistrate, county patrolman and Miyoshi town magistrate, achieving great success in administration, while also working to improve local culture, such as overseeing the history compilation bureau and editing the 159 volumes of the domain's geography book, Geihan Tsushi. Sanyo's son, Yuan, was raised by Shunsui and his wife after his father fled the domain, and later became a professor at the domain school, but is said to have had a love of poetry and was a skilled calligrapher. Rai Sanyo's grave is located at Chorakuji Temple in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City. Date of designation: February 23, 1940 (Showa 15).