A City of Hot Springs and Shogi Pieces – Tendo City
Tendo City is known for its hot springs and shogi pieces and is located in Yamagata Prefecture.
The city is responsible for producing a significant portion of Japan’s shogi pieces, and the history of Tendo Shogi dates back over 160 years. At the Tendo Shogi Museum, you can view exhibits of masterpieces by renowned craftsmen as well as unique shogi pieces.
Tendo City is also famous for its hot springs. The Tendo Hot Springs are known for their various therapeutic benefits, including relief from cold sensitivity, burns, chronic skin conditions, joint pain, and fatigue. There are many hot spring facilities and foot baths available, including options for day-use, making it a great place to relax and rejuvenate during your trip.
Quoted from the Yamagata Prefecture Official Website
Let’s Go to the Tendo Sakura Festival
Location: Maizuru Mountain Summit
Date: April 21-22, 2018 (for Human Shogi)
(For other event schedules, please refer to the URL below)
Access: 20-minute walk from JR Tendo Station
- Free shuttle bus from JR Tendo Station, 5-10 minutes, bus stop “Maizuru Summit,” a short walk from there.
- About 15 minutes via National Route 13 from Yamagata Expressway Yamagata-Kita IC
The Tendo Sakura Festival is a springtime tradition in Tendo City, featuring various events such as the Shogi Queen Contest and the Tendo Sakura Festival Children’s Shogi Tournament, which highlight Tendo City’s fame for its shogi pieces.
This article focuses on the main event of the Tendo Sakura Festival, “Human Shogi,” which takes place over two days every year.
Source: Tendo Tourism and Product Navigation
The Grand Historical Spectacle “Human Shogi”
The main event of the Tendo Sakura Festival is “Human Shogi,” a magnificent reenactment set against the backdrop of Maizuru Mountain, where 2,000 cherry trees bloom in full glory. Warriors dressed in armor represent the shogi pieces on a giant shogi board.
“Human Shogi” was first held in 1956. The concept is inspired by an event where Toyotomi Hideyoshi played a shogi match using people as pieces at Fushimi Castle. The Human Shogi event features a storyline where the spirit of Oda Nobunaga, enshrined at Kenkun Shrine, is revived. Initially, local dignitaries and the mayor commanded the game, but now, professional shogi players and female shogi players participate in the match.
The rules are the same as traditional shogi, except for an implicit rule where every piece must be moved at least once during the game. The warriors in armor, acting as the shogi pieces, are selected from the general public. Even if you are unfamiliar with shogi, there are explanations provided during the event, so you can follow along. In case of rain, the event is moved to Tendo City Civic Cultural Center.
Quoted from the monthly magazine Wonderful Yamagata
A Unique Event You Can Only See Here!
The Tendo Sakura Festival’s Human Shogi is a unique and grand historical reenactment, set amid the beautiful cherry blossoms. It is an event that you can only experience here in Tendo, a city famous for its shogi pieces. Be sure to visit and enjoy this distinctive spectacle.
Cover Image Credit: Tendo Tourism and Product Navigation
(Edited by 千八乃)
