Taishi Yama features Shōtoku Taishi, a 6th-century Japanese genius and saint. Among other things, he introduced Buddhism as Japan’s state religion, drafted Japan’s first constitution, and first centralized government, based on influences from the Asian continent. A prodigious scholar and devout Buddhist practitioner, he also commissioned the construction of numerous Buddhist temples.
The float depicts him chopping down a cedar tree himself in order to build a temple dedicated to the divine guardians of four directions, hence the cedar adorning this float (others feature pine trees). Part statesman, spiritual leader, tree-chopper – Shōtoku Taishi was a true Renaissance man. A highlight of Taishi Yama is viewing the historic Hata family kyōmachiya townhouse.
