Teradaya

Author: Richard Perkins
Photos/Videos Taken: 2020/12/30
Address: 263 Minamihamacho, Fushimi-ku,
Kyoto-shi, Kyoto,【612-8045】
Entrance Fee: Adults ¥600｜Middle School Students ¥300｜
Elementary School Students ¥200｜Infants Not Allowed

寺田屋 (teradaya) is a Japanese inn in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture. This is a Japanese inn that dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868) and doesn’t differ much from other Japanese inns built at that time. However, what makes this Japanese inn different is that it is known for two incidents, both known as the "Teradaya Incident", that took place here.

The first Teradaya Incident is the 薩摩藩志士粛清事件 (satsumahan-shishukusei-jiken), also referred to as the "Teradaya Disturbance”, taking place on April 23rd, 1862.

This incident was a purge between the leader of the Satsuma domain (Kagoshima Prefecture), Hisamitsu Shimazu, and Shinshichi Arima of the Seichu group (an organization inside the Satsuma domain). Shinshichi Arima mistakenly thought that Hisamitsu Shimazu was going to lead a thousand people to take part in 尊皇攘夷 (sonnō-jōi), an act to revere the emperor, forbid Christianity from Japan, and get rid of the foreigners in the country. To get a better understanding of what was going to take place, these two had a consultation with one another. This consultation didn’t go so well and ended with them drawing their swords and fighting.

The second Teradaya Incident is the 坂本龍馬襲撃事件 (sakamoto-ryōma-shūgeki-jiken). This incident took place four years after the Teradaya Disturbance. As the name of this incident implies, this incident involved Sakamoto Ryōma, a well-known Japanese man who lived in the 幕末 (bakumatsu), the end of the Tokugawa government (the end of the Edo period). Sakamoto Ryōma was a skilled swordsman who, throughout his life, helped to bring the Chōshū domain (Yamaguchi Prefecture) and the Satsuma domain to make reconciliations with one another. Sakamoto Ryōma also helped create 亀山社中 (kame-yama-shachū) in Nagasaki Prefecture, which is said to be the first trading company in Japan. Sakamoto Ryōma accomplished a lot and made (substantial) contributions to Japan throughout his life.

Going back to the sakamoto-ryōma-shūgeki-jiken, this was an incident that took place on January 1st, 1866, when Sakamoto Ryōma was staying at Teradaya. On this evening, Hayashi Tadakata, a magistrate (a civil officer who administers the law), dispatched thirty constables (a person whose job it was to catch criminals) who ended up surrounding Teradaya. Sakamoto Ryōma’s wife O-Ryō was taking a bath when the constables surrounded Teradaya and, for whatever reason, realized that the place was surrounded. She then got out of the bath and went upstairs, completely naked (presumably not to waste any time getting dressed), to alert Ryōma of the situation. Sakamoto Ryōma was attacked by the constables. He fought back but became unable to continue after sustaining an injury to his hand. Miyoshi Shinzō, a clansman of the Chōshū domain, was staying that night at Teradaya as Sakamoto Ryōma’s bodyguard. Seeing that Sakamoto Ryōma was unable to fight, Miyoshi Shinzō fought back in his place, helping him to escape from Teradaya.

It was these two incidents that made Teradaya the famous Japanese inn it is today. Unfortunately, Teradaya was burned (and destroyed) by a fire in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, 1868. The building that stands now is a reconstruction, but it is built in the same layout as the original Teradaya. You can enter this building and explore it (as you please). Also, it is possible to spend the night here.