Tagohi-hi Stone Monument

Overview

The Tagohi-hi stone monument, located in Yoshii-machi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, was erected in 711 AD to commemorate the establishment of Tago County. Registered in UNESCO's Memory of the World as one of the Ueno San-hi (Three Stone Monuments of Ueno), it's also considered one of Japan's three oldest stone monuments. The inscription details the creation of Tago County from portions of Kataoka, Midorino, and Kanryo Counties in Ueno Province – 300 households in total. This aligns with the *Shoku Nihongi* (Chronicles of Japan Continued), confirming its construction around 711 AD. The monument consists of a stele, a lintel stone, and a base stone, all made of Ushibuse sandstone (a type of wacke) from the local area. The stele is a rectangular column, 129cm high, 69cm wide, and 62cm thick, with 6 lines and 80 characters carved in relief on its face. The lintel stone measures 95cm wide, 90cm deep, 27cm thick in the center, and 15-17cm thick at the eaves. The Tagohi-hi is a must-see for history buffs and calligraphy enthusiasts alike. The nearby Tagohi-hi Memorial Hall displays research materials on the monument, along with archeological findings and rubbings from ancient China. The area encompassing the monument and the memorial hall is part of the Yoshii Ishibumino Sato Park, featuring two relocated and reconstructed kofun (ancient burial mounds) – Nan-kogen No. 1 and Katayama No. 1 –, an ancient lotus pond, and commemorative steles.