Steve's Genealogy Blog

Kōchi Castle – Ōte-mon, Bronze Statues, and Monuments

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Steve

Kōchi Castle was built by Yamauchi Kazutoyo after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. The castle was completed in 1611.

The bronze statue of Yamauchi Kazutoyo on his horse stands outside the ōte-mon (main gate), while a bronze statue of Itagaki Taisuke overlooks the interior of the ōte-mon. A statue of Yamauchi Kazutoyo’s wife Chiyo with the horse she bought for her husband stands further inside the walls. Other monuments, including one for a doctor and another for someone’s wife are scattered throughout the grounds.

**Canal Near Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle**
SOURCE: Canal Near Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle – 1**
SOURCE: Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle -1 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle - 2 — **Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle – 2**
SOURCE: Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle – 2 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle - 3 — **Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle – 3**
SOURCE: Ōte-mon of Kochi Castle – 3 (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Bronze Statue of Itagaki Taisuke Overlooking Kochi Castle Ōte-mon**
SOURCE: Bronze Statue of Itagaki Taisuke Overlooking Kochi Castle Ōte-mon (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

Bronze Statue of Chiyo, Wife of Yamauchi Kazutoyo (with her Husband's Horse) — **Bronze Statue of Chiyo, Wife of Yamauchi Kazutoyo (with her Husband’s Horse)**
SOURCE: Bronze Statue of Chiyo, Wife of Yamauchi Kazutoyo (with her Husband’s Horse) (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Monument to a Doctor**
SOURCE: Monument to a Doctor (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

**Monument to a Departed Wife**
SOURCE: Monument to a Departed Wife (Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 April 2019.

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The Master-of-Nets Garden: Exteriors

Posted on September 8, 2019 by Steve

The Master-of-Nets Garden in Suzhou, People’s Republic of China is really a series of gardens within a garden. All rooms in the structure exit to a garden.

**Bonsai**
SOURCE: Bonsai (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Bonsai with Rocks**
SOURCE: Bonsai with Rocks (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Bonsai Terrace**
SOURCE: Bonsai Terrace (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Crane Mosaic Paving**
SOURCE: Crane Mosaic Paving (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Beauty Within Reach Tower - Exterior — **Beauty Within Reach Tower – Exterior**
SOURCE: Beauty Within Reach Tower – Exterior (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Garden Passage**
SOURCE: Garden Passage (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Master-of-Nets Garden**
SOURCE: Master-of-Nets Garden (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Rock Grotto - 1 — **Rock Grotto – 1**
SOURCE: Rock Grotto – 1 (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Rock Grotto - 2 — **Rock Grotto – 2**
SOURCE: Rock Grotto – 2 (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Rocky Terrace**
SOURCE: Rocky Terrace (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Stone Obelisk**
SOURCE: Stone Obelisk (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

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The Master-of-Nets-Garden: Interiors

Posted on September 7, 2019 by Steve

The pavilions and halls of the Master-of-Nets Garden in Suzhou, People’s Republic of China are elegant, peaceful places for reflection, study, meditation, and entertaining.guests.

**The Hall of 10000 Volumes**
SOURCE: The Hall of 10000 Volumes (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**The Beauty Within Reach Tower**
SOURCE: The Beauty Within Reach Tower (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Cloud Stairway Pavilion**
SOURCE: Cloud Stairway Pavilion (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Five Peaks Library**
SOURCE: Five Peaks Library (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Window in Five Peaks Library**
SOURCE: Window in Five Peaks Library (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Master-of-Nets Window - 1 — **Master-of-Nets Window – 1**
SOURCE: Master-of-Nets Window – 1 (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Master-of-Nets Window - 2 — **Master-of-Nets Window – 2**
SOURCE: Master-of-Nets Window – 2 (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

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The Master-of-Nets Garden

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Steve

The Master-of- Nets Garden is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Suzhou, People’s Republic of China. The garden was originally built in 1174 during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and, inspired by the simple life of a retired fisherman, was named Yu Yin (渔隐, Fisherman’s Retreat). During the Qing Dynasty, the garden was renamed the Master-of-Nets-Garden.

Entering through the main gate, visitors enter the Sedan Chair Hall where a painting of the gardens adorns one wall and a map of the garden is available.

Painting - Master-of-Nets-Garden — **Painting – Master-of-Nets-Garden**
SOURCE: Painting – Master-of-Nets-Garden (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Painting - Master-of-Nets-Garden
SOURCE: Painting - Master-of-Nets-Garden (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019. — **Map – Master-of-Nets-Garden**
SOURCE: Map – Master-of-Nets-Garden (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Mahogany Sedan Chair**
SOURCE: Mahogany Sedan Chair (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

From the Sedan Chair Hall, visitors pass through a small garden and arrive at the Entry Gate to the Hall of 10000 Volumes. Two carvings adorn the gateway, one depicting the celebration of Gui Ziyi’s birthday, and the other depicting Emperor Wenwang’s visit to a virtuous and talented person.

Celebrating Guo Ziyi's Birthday — **Celebrating Guo Ziyi’s Birthday**
SOURCE: Celebrating Guo Ziyi’s Birthday (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Emperor Wenwang's visit to a Virtuous and Talented Person — **Emperor Wenwang’s Visit to a Virtuous and Talented Person**
SOURCE: Emperor Wenwang’s Visit to a Virtuous and Talented Person (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

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Suzhou: The Garden City

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Steve

Suzhou, People’s Republic of China is famed for its gardens, including those gardens within the confines of hotels and restaurants.

Suzhou Garden - 1 — **Suzhou Garden – 1**
SOURCE: Suzhou Garden – 1 (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Suzhou Garden - 2 — **Suzhou Garden – 2**
SOURCE: Suzhou Garden – 2 (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Suzhou Garden - 3 — **Suzhou Garden – 3**
SOURCE: Suzhou Garden – 3 (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Bell in Suzhou Garden**
SOURCE: Bell in Suzhou Garden (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Chinese Goose (Anser anser domesticus) in Suzhou Garden — **Chinese Goose (****Anser anser domesticus) in Suzhou Garden**
SOURCE: Chinese Goose (*Anser anser domesticus*) in Suzhou Garden (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

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Suzhou: the Venice of the East

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Steve

Suzhou is a major city, northwest of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, located in the delta of the Yangtze River. It’s many canals have earned it the name “Venice of the East.”

Homes Along a Canal in Suzhou - 1 — **Homes Along a Canal in Suzhou – 1**
SOURCE: Homes Along a Canal in Suzhou – 1 (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

Homes Along a Canal in Suzhou - 2 — **Homes Along a Canal in Suzhou – 2**
SOURCE: Homes Along a Canal in Suzhou – 2 (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Lanterns Along a Canal in Suzhou**
SOURCE: Lanterns Along a Canal in Suzhou (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Temple in Suzhou**
SOURCE: Temple in Suzhou (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Washing Day in Suzhou**
SOURCE: Washing Day in Suzhou (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

**Suzhou Windows**
SOURCE: Suzhou Windows (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 April 2019.

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The Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Steve

My time in Shanghai ended with a trip to the top of the Jin Mao Tower, currently the 3rd tallest building in Shanghai and the 28th tallest building in the world. With the towering building surrounded by rainclouds, the exterior view from the 88th floor was non-existent. Believe it or not, the second photo below is the view through the window at the top of the building. The interior view through the center of the building to the ground floor, however, was amazing!

Jin Mao Tower - Exterior — **Jin Mao Tower – Exterior**
SOURCE: Jin Mao Tower – Exterior (Shanghai, Pudong District, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 21 April 2019.

Jin Mao Tower - View — **Jin Mao Tower – View**
SOURCE: Jin Mao Tower – Interior (Shanghai, Pudong District, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 21 April 2019.

Jin Mao Tower - Interior — **Jin Mao Tower – Interior**
SOURCE: Jin Mao Tower – Interior (Shanghai, Pudong District, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 21 April 2019.

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People’s Square in Shanghai

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Steve

My visit to Shanghai brought me to People’s Square with views of the Shanghai Museum and the city. Unfortunately, the sky was overcast with constant rain. Although the rain was a deterrent to sightseeing, a very industrious entrepreneur did brisk business selling umbrellas to the tourists in People’s Square.

Flowers in Shanghai's People's Square — **Flowers in Shanghai’s People’s Square**
SOURCE: Flowers in Shanghai’s People’s Square (Shanghai, Huangpu District, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 21 April 2019.

The Shanghai Museum - 1 — **The Shanghai Museum – 1**
SOURCE: The Shanghai Museum – 1 (Shanghai, Huangpu District, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 21 April 2019.

The Shanghai Museum - 2 — **The Shanghai Museum – 2**
SOURCE: The Shanghai Museum – 2 (Shanghai, Huangpu District, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 21 April 2019.

Tomorrow Square (below) includes the JW Marriott hotel and executive apartment units. The building with the curved roof in front of Tomorrow Square is the Shanghai Grand Theatre.

From the left in the photo below, the buildings include: the Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World, Samsung Building (lit in gold lights), Shinmao International Plaza, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center (building with lattice roof in front of the Shinmao International Plaza), and Raffles City Shanghai.

Shanghai Skyscrapers -1 — **Shanghai Skyscrapers – 1**
SOURCE: Shanghai Skyscrapers – 1 (Shanghai, Huangpu District, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 21 April 2019.

The two tallest buildings in the photo below are the Lan Sheng Building on the left and the Golden Bell Mansion with the cone-shaped roof.

Shanghai Skyscrapers - 2 — **Shanghai Skyscrapers – 2**
SOURCE: Shanghai Skyscrapers – 2 (Shanghai, Huangpu District, People’s Republic of China); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 21 April 2019.

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Shanghai Garden

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Steve

I visited a restaurant with a beautiful garden in Shanghai, China. Shanghai Municipality is the second most highly populated city proper in the world with over 24 million residents. By comparison, New York City has a population of about 8.4 million.