Home of Kudara Legends (Nango district)


	A symbol of friendly exchange between two nations

　Kudara Hall, constructed as a symbol of friendly exchange between Japan and Korea, was modeled on a building in the National Museum of Buyeo, Korea, which stands on the site of the palace of the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje (Kudara). The Hall was built with the cooperation of the Embassy and Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea, and is noted for its distinctive bowed roof shape and striking colors. Building materials such as roof tiles and paving stones were imported from Korea, and the vibrant Tanchon color scheme was painted by skilled Korean artisans. Many replicas of national treasures and important cultural artifacts from the Kudara era are on display, as well as detailed information on remnants of Kudara culture in other parts of Japan.
*Tanchon: a combination of rich red, blue, yellow, black and white colors traditionally used in Korean building design. It functions as both protection and decoration, designating the type of building and caliber of its builder, emphasizing unique architectural features, protecting external surfaces and bringing balance to the final appearance of the building.

■Kudara Hall (Kudara no Yakata)

■Tanchon

	Tales of Kudara

　Kudara is the Japanese name for the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje. In the 7th century AD, the Kudara royal family was forced into exile after defeat in wars on the Korean peninsula. Having already established close ties with the Yamato kingdom in Japan, the family fled first to the Nara region; however, subsequent unrest forced them to seek refuge elsewhere. While traversing Japan’s Inland Sea hoping to reach Kyushu, the party met with bad weather and their boats were swept ashore on two separate beaches in the kingdom of Hyuga (one in Hyuga City, one in Takanabe Town - both in present-day Miyazaki prefecture). It is said that the king and his consort eventually settled in the Nango area of Misato Town, while the prince and other children took refuge in Kijo Town.
Stories of the Kudara royal family, their battles with adversity and sad fate, are still passed down today in the Nango district of Misato Town. The history of the Kudara kingdom is commemorated in the Kudara Hall as well as through various items believed to have belonged to the royal family, a burial mound said to be the final resting place of the Kudara king, and the Shiwasu Festival.

■Shiwasu Festival

■Shiwasu Festival 2

	Lovers’ Hill (Koibito no Oka)

　Situated on a hill overlooking the village is a hexagonal arbor which is a replica of a building overlooking the town of Buyeo in Korea, ancient capital of the Kudara kingdom. The arbor houses a bell signifying bonds of goodwill between Japan and Korea. Carved on the bell is a message in Korean reading: ‘Buyeo, ancient capital of Baekje, sends this sound to Nango, home of Kudara legends’. Emotional bonds are said to be strengthened between lovers and family members who ring the bell together. A pledge of love made at this site will last for eternity.

■Wonderful views

■The vibrantly colored arbor


	All about Nishi no Shosoin (1)

　According to the legend passed down in the Nango region of Misato Town, the royal family of the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje - Kudara in Japanese - settled in Nango after being exiled from their homeland following defeat in battles with the combined army of the Tang Dynasty and Silla Kingdom. The family lived peacefully in Nango until eventually being tracked down by their enemies and killed. The old Kudara king was so revered by the local villagers that he was eventually enshrined as the Shinto deity in the local Mikado Shrine.
The Shiwasu Festival recreates the story of the Kudara royal family. The ‘Tokarokkakyo’ bronze mirror preserved in Nango, said to be a Kudara relic and almost identical to that housed in the Shosoin in Nara, is of great archeological significance. Of the 300 Tang-style mirrors still extant in Japan, 17 come from this region. Nishi no Shosoin was built with the cooperation of the Imperial Household Agency, academic support from the National Cultural Heritage Research Institute in Nara and special building permission from the Ministry of Construction. The precious original plans for Nara’s Shosoin were consulted to realize this faithful reconstruction which uses timber from 400 to 500 year-old Kiso cypress trees. Nishi no Shosoin is a perfect replica of the original Shosoin in every detail. It is a modern cultural artifact, preserving the 1300 year old history of the Kudara royal family for future generations.

■Front view of Nishi no Shoin

■Steps leading to main entrance

	All about Nishi no Shosoin (2)

　Nishi no Shosoin was conceived as a museum to house precious cultural artifacts similar to the relics preserved in the original Shosoin in Nara. The construction process was faithful in every detail to the plans, preserved by the Imperial Household Agency, of the original Shosoin. Only authentic materials and methods were used, right down to the nails, metal fittings, wooden pillars, roof tiles, and of course the Kiso cypress timber from national forestry reserves. The project was realized thanks to significant support from the Imperial Household Agency and other organizations.　
Even the interior, not open for public viewing in the original Shosoin, is accurately replicated here. Detailed displays introduce visitors to Kudara relics owned by the Mikado Shrine and to Shiwasu Festival rites which further verify the Kudara legends. Of particular note are precious and historically important artifacts such as 24 bronze mirrors said to have been the property of the Kudara royal family: one of these is in the ‘Tokarokkakyo’ style, identical to that excavated from the pedestal of the Great Buddha of Todai-ji temple in Nara.
A visit to Nishi no Shosoin will bring you closer to history and legend of olden times.

■24 bronze mirrors


	Yamagiri Spa - bathing for beauty

The Shiwasu Festival tells the 1300 year-old tale of how the royal family of Kudara came to settle in Nango. At the height of the festival it is said that hot spring water burst forth from the mist-shrouded slopes of the mountain behind the temple which memorializes the Kudara king. Nango Spa ‘Yamagiri’ (‘Mountain Mist’) is believed to be a blessing from the Kudara clan and refreshes the mind and body of all those who bathe in it. The water contains natural hydrocarbonate compounds, gentle on the skin and said to have beautifying properties.
■ Name of hot spring　　　 ■ Location 　 ■ Spring water type　　　　 ■ Volume of water emitted ■ Water temperature　　　　 ■ Ph	Nango Hot Spring 118 Nango-ku, Misato Town, Higashiusuki-gun, Miyazaki-ken Sodium hydrocarbonate spring 124.2 L/min 37.1 degrees Celsius 8.7
Bathing may have beneficial effects on: Chronic skin disorders, nervous disorders, muscle pain, joint pain, still shoulders, paralysis, stiff joints, bruising, sprains, chronic digestive disorders, hemorrhoids, chills, post-illness recovery, fatigue, maintenance of general health, cuts, burns, skin quality.

■Yamagiri Spa

■Outdoor bath

	Yamagiri Cottage

　Approximately 94% of the land in Nango district consists of mountain forests. Situated in a hilly forest setting, Yamagiri Cottage provides the ideal setting to experience this abundant natural environment. It is just a short drive from the town area which is home to Nango’s main attractions such as Nishi no Shosoin and Yamagiri Spa. This is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year: for the cherry blossoms in Spring, for the cool forest air in Summer, for the stunning autumnal foliage in Fall, or for the clear starry skies and cloudy vistas in Winter.
Inquiries can be directed to:
Cottage Reservation Desk, Nango Spa Front Office
Address: 151-1 Mikado, Nango-ku, Misato Town, Higashiusukigun, Miyazaki-ken 883-0306
Telephone (0982)59-0100