Do you know about Kibi no Makibi, after whom the town of Mabi in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, was named?
During the Nara period, he traveled to Tang China twice as an envoy, bringing calligraphy, military strategy, astronomy, architecture, and Go to Japan. He was a great scholar and a remarkable figure who rose to the position of Minister of the Right.
Kibi no Makibi is said to have come from Mabi, which is why the town was named after him.
Here we introduce Makibi Park, built to honor Kibi no Makibi and pass his legacy on to future generations, and Makibi Memorial Hall, where you can learn about him!
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in January 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Makibi Park
In 1986, a monument to Kibi no Makibi and a Japanese garden in the surrounding area were completed in Huancheng Park, Xi’an, China.
To commemorate this, Makibi Park opened in October of the same year in Mabi, a place associated with him.
Its Chinese name in Xi’an, China, is “Huancheng Park.”
Designed in the style of an ancient Chinese park, it is a rare sight in Japan.
Mabi also has many other attractions, including ancient burial mounds and spots associated with Kosuke Kindaichi, with Makibi Park at its center.
Makibi Memorial Hall: Learn about the envoy to Tang China, Kibi no Makibi
Admission to Makibi Memorial Hall is free.
Let’s go in and take a look!
Photography is permitted inside the hall.
Makibi Memorial Hall displays an illustrated scroll depicting events from Kibi no Makibi’s time in Tang China as an envoy, a model of an envoy ship, a portrait of Kibi no Makibi, and more.
Nakahama, who works at Makibi Memorial Hall, showed us around.
The illustrated scroll of Kibi no Makibi’s journey to Tang China
On display was a reproduction of an illustrated scroll telling the story of Kibi no Makibi, who traveled to Tang China as an envoy and was confronted with one difficult challenge after another. With the help of Abe no Nakamaro, who had become a demon, he overcame them all.
The original scroll is currently held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in the United States.
Yabunao and Yuricheru, the couple who manage Kuratoco’s social media and accompanied me on this assignment, looked at the exhibits with great interest, saying, “We didn’t know anything about Kibi no Makibi.”
Kibi no Makibi is said to have spent a long 19 years in Tang China as an envoy.
There is also an explanation of the illustrated scroll of his journey to Tang China written for children, which is sure to make you chuckle.
The scene of Kibi no Makibi playing Go against a master from Tang China is depicted with plenty of humor.
In honor of Lord Makibi, an annual national Go tournament for elementary school students is held in Mabi.
What Kibi no Makibi brought to Japan
Kibi no Makibi brought back and spread Chinese culture, Go, architecture, calligraphy, military strategy, astronomy, arithmetic, and Confucianism in Japan.
Kibi no Makibi is said to have invented katakana.
Despite being a scholar, he rose to the position of Minister of the Right, one of the highest offices in the government.
It is said that in Japan’s long history, only two people ever achieved this feat: Kibi no Makibi and Sugawara no Michizane.
Sugawara no Michizane is now worshipped as the god of learning, and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, where he is enshrined, is famous. We hope more people will learn about Kibi no Makibi, too.
The painting “Diagram of Taoism” was the largest and most impressive exhibit in the hall.
Looking closely at the painting, I spotted a figure with four eyes and two noses!
It’s a mystery why this kind of figure was depicted, but it’s fun to consider the paintings and illustrated scrolls from different perspectives.
There is also a space inside the memorial hall where you can take a break, so we recommend relaxing here while enjoying the view of the grounds.
Dress up as Kibi no Makibi and take photos at Makibi Park!
In 2018, the hall marked its 30th anniversary. Hoping to deepen people’s interest in Mabi, it apparently created a Kibi no Makibi costume and began lending it out for free.
I borrowed an outfit and took some photos at Makibi Park.
Fill out the costume rental card at the counter to borrow an outfit.
Members of the Yata District Community Development Promotion Council handmade the costumes. There are six adult sizes and one children’s size.
There are also floral-patterned costumes that look great on women, so choosing an outfit is fun!
The costumes are made generously sized, so even larger adults can comfortably wear them over their clothes.
Hats made from denim, sashes, and even a shaku (ceremonial baton) are available, and they can all be borrowed free of charge.
First, we took photos in front of the memorial hall.
The circular window, one of Makibi Park’s signature spots, offers a view of the Hexagonal Pavilion and makes for a great photo.
Beyond the circular window is a pond, with the Hexagonal Pavilion visible across the bridge.
There’s a bench in the Hexagonal Pavilion, so you can take a break here while looking out over the park’s pond.
The view of the park from the Hexagonal Pavilion also has an exotic atmosphere, and you can’t help but sit back and take it in.
There was also a stone turtle sculpture, created based on the theory that Kibi no Makibi invented katakana.
Kibi no Makibi lived to the age of 81, a long life for that time.
There’s also a monument to Kibi no Makibi, so be sure to look for it.
The Chikuyo-an Tea House
Next, we visited Chikuyo-an, the tea house just to the right of Makibi Memorial Hall as you face it.
Did you notice that the entrance to the tea house is low and narrow?
The entrance is low so that you have to bow your head and lower your posture to enter the tea room.
This is said to express the idea that everyone is equal inside the tea room, whether of high or low status.
The tea room is used for the Kibi no Makibi Tea Offering Ceremony, held every year on May 4.
The 30th ceremony was held in 2018, and the tea gathering was very lively.
Chikuyo-an has a total area of eight tatami mats plus four tatami mats.
It is also available for rent at the following rates. (November 2019)
| Time | Fee (tax included) |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | 220 yen |
| 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | 660 yen |
| 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | 880 yen |
The view of Makibi Park from this window is beautiful, and the tea room has even been booked for pre-wedding photo shoots.
If you would like to rent the tea room, please make a reservation in advance whenever possible.
For details, please contact Makibi Memorial Hall.
From the Writer
Model Yabu Nao, who visited Makibi Park for the first time, said, “I was surprised by how much fun it was and how many great photo spots there were. I’d like to come back with my dog next time.”
Makibi Park brings together the natural beauty of Mabi.
And at Makibi Memorial Hall, you can learn about Kibi no Makibi and borrow costumes.
It made me realize once again that I want more people to learn about Kibi no Makibi and his great achievements.
I recommend it as a hidden gem that people of all ages can enjoy!
Why not forget your busy days for a while and take a leisurely stroll through Makibi Park, enjoying the seasons with someone special or your family?
- Models: married couple Yabu Nao and Yuricheru
Makibi Memorial Hall Information
| Name | Makibi Memorial Hall |
|---|---|
| Address | 3652-1 Yata, Mabi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-698-7612 |
| Parking | Available General parking: 16 spaces Accessible parking: 2 spaces Buses: 2 spaces |
| Opening hours | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Mondays Year-end and New Year holidays (December 28–January 4) Open if Monday is a public holiday; closed the following Tuesday. |
| Admission (tax included) | Free |
| Reservations | Not available |
| Smoking | Entire facility is non-smoking |
| Restrooms | Public restrooms |
| Accessibility | Ramp |
| Website | Makibi Memorial Hall |
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Makibi Memorial Hall
TEL: 086-698-7612