While in Sendai we visited Zuihoden, the mausoleum of the first feudal lord of Sendai. The first lord of Sendai, Date Masamune, was born in 1567. He conquered much of the Sendai area and brought it under his rule. He had a huge income but only one eye (he wore a patch, making him look like a pirate samurai.)
In the Zuihoden surrounds there are momuments to 11 feudal lords in the Date lineage. They ruled over Sendai for a long time.
- Old stone lanterns in the grounds of the mausoleum.
- Ornate and colourful details on the Zuihoden in the Momoyama architectural style.
- Zuihoden built for Date Masamune who was only 159cm tall therefore I am taller than he was.
- Kansenden, built for date Tadamune, the Second Feudal Lord of Sendai (unfortunately 2cm taller than me). Also unfortunate that it is a replica as the original was burnt down during WW2.
- Totally unrelated to Zuihoden, the region speciality of Sendai is zunda mochi – rice flour sweet balls with sweetened edamame (soybean) paste.