Nisshinkan was an Aizu feudal domain school, opened in 1803 to train the domain’s human resources. Children of upper-class domain staff entered Nisshinkan when they turned 10 years old. They learned archery, artillery, swimming (with armor on), medicine, and astronomy. The first lesson was strict, detailed chivalry as a proud Aizu Feudal Domain member.
On the premises of Nisshinkan, there is Taiseiden Temple that enshrines Confucius, college for advanced classes, reading hall, gym, Japan’s first swimming pool (Suiren-Suima-Ike Pond). All these buildings are actually restored in 1987 based on the information left behind. The previous Nisshinkan stood west of Tsuruga Castle, burned down in the battle of Aizu, left with only the astronomical observatory.
Rebuilt Nisshinkan has the atmosphere of learning from those days. Today, it is used as a gym for martial arts and maintains the Aizu spirit of learning literary and military arts.
Highlights
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A place to see how children of Aizu feudal domain staff trained.
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”What cannot be done, cannot be done” is well-known in Ten Rules that children were taught before entering Nisshinkan, Children were divided into a group of ten or so and were taught.
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Archery, seated meditation, painting the traditional crafts such as Akabeko cow or Okiagari Koboshi (self-righting doll) and other workshops available.
