KASHUKAN, a histric spot in Hitachi

KASHUKAN, a historic spot in Hitachi June, 2007 Preface Going back through the history of Hitachi City to ancient times, we feel the rushing fine in several historic spots. “Kashukan” is one of them. It is now being used as a local communication center.
History Kashukan was one of the fifteen Mito feudal clan schools, which was built in 1839 by Mr. Mitsushige Okubo, village medical doctor who donated his own land in the area of Okubo castle ruins. The building had been called “Kogeikan” and Mr. Okubo was nominated as the school master. Kogeikan was a medical school but its name has changed to Kashukan in 1844 to develop it to a local village school inorder to educate village doctors, Shinto priests, village samurais and village government officers etc. After that it became a place of both literary and military accomplishments based on the Tenpo’s Reformation, but declined in the last day of Tokugawa Government. In the Meiji era it was used as a primary school and /or village office etc. but the building became too old for use. Finally the building and the land were placed under the control of Hitachi city in 1964 together with disassembly of the building. In 1973 Hitachi city rebuilt the building based on the drawings of the room plan in the Kogeikan era, which was found later.	KASHUKAN in 1873 as primary school
Origin of the name “Kashu”is a word which was quoted from a Chinese ancient manuscript and means “Young man, you should make efforts to study while you have time to spare.” Meaning as historic spot The ruins of Okubo castle and Kashukan were recognized as a historic spot of Hitachi city in July 1972, though the building of Kashukan itself is not registered. It can be said that the role played by Kashukan is very significant and meaningful since it was used as a facility for public education and study through many years. Present situation Kashukan is used by citizens for several kinds of events such as public meeting, tea ceremony, flower arrangement school, recitation of Chinese poems, etc. It is surrounded by bamboo trees etc. and chatting of birds in the quiet air will make you feel very tranquil and comfortable. From the viewpoint of nature protection The forest area including earthworks and vacant canals plays a role in protecting nature and is important for growth of trees and living of birds and insects. We hope that this green zone will not be lost due to a development in future.
Address 15-1 4 Okubocho, Hitachi city #316-0012 about 10 minutes by car for northwest direction from JR Hitachi-taga station Reception for visiting Kashukan： Tel. 0294-36-0553 Reception for facility use Seishonen Home：Tel. 0294-35-1466 An application form should be presented in advance.	Days closed National holidays, Jan. 2～3, Dec. 29～31, 1st ・3rd Sun. and 2nd and 4th Mondays. Reference We reproduced a part of text from the Hitachi Media Club 44. “Ruins of Okubo castle and Kashukan (Okubo) ”for the clause of history.
KASHUKAN (Front)	KASHUKAN (Yard)