The Blood-Stained Ceilings of Kyoto: A Tale of Heroism and Sacrifice

Kyoto, Japan, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance, holds within its temples a poignant reminder of a dramatic episode in Japanese history. Five temples in Kyoto feature ceilings stained with blood, a testament to the valor and sacrifice of samurai warriors during the tumultuous Sengoku period. These blood-stained ceilings are made from the floorboards of Fushimi Castle, where Torii Mototada and his remaining 380 samurai committed seppuku (ritual suicide) in 1600 after a heroic last stand against an overwhelming enemy force.

Bloody hand prints at Shodenji Temple. Photo credit: JapanVisitor/Flickr

The Siege of Fushimi Castle

The story begins with Fushimi Castle, a strategic fortress located in the Kyoto region. In 1600, Japan was in the throes of the Sengoku period, a time of constant military conflict and political upheaval as various feudal lords vied for power. Torii Mototada, a loyal retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu, was entrusted with the defense of Fushimi Castle. This fortress was of strategic importance, and its defense was crucial in Tokugawa Ieyasu’s plan to consolidate power and eventually unify Japan.

A replica of the Fushimi Castle built in 1964. Photo credit: Maechan0360/Wikimedia

In August 1600, Fushimi Castle came under siege by an army of 40,000 troops led by Ishida Mitsunari, a powerful daimyo and a key figure in the anti-Tokugawa coalition. Torii Mototada and his 2,000 samurai warriors were vastly outnumbered, but they were determined to hold the castle as long as possible to delay Ishida’s forces and buy time for Tokugawa Ieyasu to regroup and prepare for the decisive Battle of Sekigahara.

The Heroic Last Stand

For 11 days, the defenders of Fushimi Castle resisted the relentless assault. Despite being heavily outnumbered and facing increasingly dire conditions, Mototada and his men fought with unwavering courage and resolve. Their stand became a symbol of samurai honor and loyalty.

As the situation grew untenable and it became clear that the castle could no longer hold, Torii Mototada made the ultimate decision. Rather than surrender, which would bring shame and dishonor, he and his remaining 380 warriors chose to commit seppuku. This act of ritual suicide was seen as a way to preserve their honor and remain loyal to their lord, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

The Blood-Stained Floorboards

After the fall of Fushimi Castle, the floorboards soaked with the blood of Mototada and his warriors were removed. In a gesture that both honored the fallen samurai and preserved the memory of their sacrifice, these blood-stained floorboards were incorporated into the ceilings of five temples in Kyoto. These temples are:

1. Yogen-in Temple

2. Genko-an Temple

3. Shoden-ji Temple

4. Hosen-in Temple

5. Kosho-ji Temple

History preserved in blood. 400-year old blood-stained footprints on the ceiling of Genko-An, Kyoto. Photo credit: Andrew Evans/Flickr

Each temple houses a ceiling made from these historical floorboards, serving as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice made by Torii Mototada and his samurai. Visitors to these temples can still see the dark stains, a haunting and powerful symbol of the bloodshed and the high cost of loyalty and honor in samurai culture.

Blood smears at Shoden-ji temple. Photo credit: taiken.co

The Legacy of Fushimi Castle’s Defenders

The sacrifice of Torii Mototada and his warriors was not in vain. Their brave stand delayed Ishida Mitsunari’s forces long enough for Tokugawa Ieyasu to gather his strength and ultimately secure victory at the Battle of Sekigahara. This decisive battle paved the way for Tokugawa Ieyasu to establish the Tokugawa Shogunate, ushering in over 250 years of peace and stability during the Edo period.

The blood-stained ceilings of Kyoto’s temples are more than just historical artifacts; they are a testament to the samurai spirit and the values of loyalty, honor, and sacrifice that defined their way of life. As visitors stand beneath these ceilings, they are reminded of a time when these values were tested to their limits and upheld in the face of overwhelming odds.

In conclusion, the five temples in Kyoto with blood-stained ceilings offer a unique and deeply moving insight into a pivotal moment in Japanese history. They commemorate the bravery of Torii Mototada and his samurai, whose sacrifice played a crucial role in shaping the future of Japan.