A Hymn to Pluto

摘要

The JR Hime Shinsen Railway runs northwest from Himeji, passing expressively named stations such as Mikazuki (crescent), Kozuki (waxing moon) and Sayoo (action) on its way to Tsuyama. In the old days, the road from Harima to Izumo would pass these mountain villages on its way to Mimasaka and Hoki. Kozuki Castle, where the hero of the San'in Region (northern side of the Chugoku Mountains), Yamanaka Shikanosuke Yukimori, the "Samurai of the Crescent Moon," an Amako clan vassal, was killed by the Mori army in the Eiroku-Era (1558-1570) still reminds one of the days of the warriors.