Located near the Chihayaakasaka Village Local History Museum is the place where Kusunoki Masashige is believed to have been born. Masashige (childhood name: Tamonmaru) was born in 1294 in Mikuyamanoi, Chihayaakasaka Village. He is said to have studied at Nakain, the Kusunoki family temple within the grounds of Kanshinji Temple, from the age of 8 to 15. The Kamakura Shogunate, which had lasted for over 140 years, was in decline, marking a major turning point when the government sought to return power from the samurai to the Emperor. Masashige fought and won against the Shogunate forces from 1331 to 1333, and was appointed Kebiishi (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) by Emperor Godaigo as a meritorious service. However, in 1336, he was defeated at the Battle of Minatogawa by Ashikaga Takauji, who had rebelled against the Emperor's political system, and committed suicide. In recognition of Masashige's achievements, during the Bunroku era (1592-1596), by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Masuda Nagamori surveyed the site and built a platform, and then in 1874, at the urging of Okubo Toshimichi, a monument was erected here. The "Kusunoki Festival" is held every year on April 25th.