Grave of Ueda Ueda (prefectural historic site)

Confucianism in Hiroshima was first popularized by Neo-Confucianism (Shusiasticism) introduced by Hori Kyoan (1585-1642), a student of Fujiwara Seika. Other schools of thought spread within the domain a little later, including *Shinjugaku (Suika Shinto) introduced by Ueda Gonsei. Gonsei's real name was Nariaki, and he was born in Kyoto in 1651. It is said that by the age of 17 he had already lectured on the writings of the various schools of thought, and at the age of 19 he became a student of Yamazaki Ansai. In 1682, he was invited to Hiroshima by his friend and fellow student Narazaki Masakazu, but he declined as his teacher Ansai was critically ill. However, Ansai, who heard this, encouraged him, saying, "Your aged mother is in the temple, and the family is poor and your parents are old. Take my illness to heart and do not forget the cause of your foster parents." So he traveled to Hiroshima in September of the same year. After moving to Hiroshima, he lectured to samurai and commoners at the guesthouse. The fourth feudal lord, Tsunanaga, was pleased with this and summoned him to the castle in 1690 (Genroku 3), after which he gave him a mansion in Shinsenba (around Nakamachi, Naka Ward) and employed him as a feudal scholar with a stipend of 30 people. The fifth feudal lord, Yoshinaga, who was said to be the lord who restored the Hiroshima domain, also favored him by giving him 200 koku in 1715 (Shotoku 5). Gonse resigned from his position in 1727 (Kyoho 12), but continued to attend lectures there many times, and passed away at the age of 85. This tradition was passed down by Kato Tomoyoshi and his son Tomonori. *The idea of the unity of Shinto and Confucianism, founded by Yamazaki Ansai. It preached that the ways of the gods and the virtues of the emperor are one and the same. Date of designation: June 9, 1942 (Showa 17).