Revived Katsunin-Ken

Explanatory Plate for the Present Katsunin-Ken

In the precinct of Kasuisai temple, there used to be a monument of
Katsunin-ken or a healing-sword erected as a memorial to the Sino-Japanese
Peace Treaty. It was erected in front of a cave called “Rokunoji” along thetrail leading to an inner shrine. It was designed by Koun Takamura (18521934), a renowned sculptor of the Meiji Era (1868-1912).
However, during World War II, the metallic part of the sword wasdelivered to the government for war purposes. Since then only its stonepedestal and an accompanying monument stood alone for a long time.
Made of stone as the pedestal was, if left, it was feared that it could
become excessively weathered over the course of time. Some people wereconcerned that, together with the weathering of the pedestal, the historic truth
related to the Katsunin-ken could also be relegated to a forgotten past. It wassuch apprehension that prompted the people to launch a campaign for its reerection. They called for volunteers and raised funds. Consequently, they
invited as a creator of a new sword, Prof. Ryohei Miyata (1945 ~ ), a former

President of Tokyo University of the Arts (appointed as a commissioner ofthe Agency for Cultural Affairs from April 2016), who has been called thegreatest metal craftsman of the day. After four years of struggle, the newmonument was finally unveiled.
Originally, the Katsunin-ken monument was erected for the repose of thewar dead of the Sino-Japanese War (1894-5) as well as in honor of Dr.
Susumu Sato, Surgeon General of the Imperial Japanese Army at the time of
the war and subsequently the 3rd President of Juntendo Medical University,
who averted a national crisis with the help of his knowledge of medicine. InMarch 1895 (in the 28th year of the Meiji Era), Mr. Li Hong Zhang, Imperial
Commissioner of the Qing Empire who was visiting Japan, was shot by ascoundrel and was seriously injured in the face while on his way back from
“Shunpanro” Restaurant, a peace conference venue. No sooner had Dr. Satobeen given an order by Emperor Meiji than he headed for Shimonoseki anddevoted himself to administering immediate treatment to Li. Mr. Li made aremarkable recovery thanks to Dr. Sato’s devotion and eventually the peace
treaty was concluded.
One day when Li was being treated, he wondered why Sato was always
wearing a sword and asked, “Doctors do not need a sword, do they?” towhich Sato immediately answered, “This is not a sword for killing, but one
to let people survive. It is called ‘Katsunin-ken’ or a healing-sword, whichconstantly fights against all kinds of diseases and will never fail to defeat
them.” They were words which deeply moved Li.
The word “Katsunin-ken” came from Sato’s own Zen experience.
Meanwhile, a Buddhist monk, Hioki Mokusen (1849-1920), the 48th Masterof Kasuisai temple at that time, who heard the anecdote of Sato’s remarks,
found a profound bond to Zen in it. Therefore the monk proposed an erectionof the monument. His cherished desire and all-out efforts made it possible
for the monument to come into being in the precinct of Kasuisai temple.
We sincerely hope the re-erected monument of Katsunin-ken will serve asa reminder of bygone times, as a local important historic heritage, and willbe a symbol of friendly relations between Japan and China and promoteworld peace.
In March 2016 (in the 28th year of the Heisei Era)
Katsunin-ken Re-erection Committee