Grave of Matsudaira Munenobu Gesshoji Temple (map) Matsue, Japan Munenobu was the sixth lord of Matsue (ruled 1731-1767). In my opinion, he is not very well understood; the guardian carvings (Nio) on his gate, and the stone turtle in his graveyard, indicate an unusual and rather Chinese-oriented kind of ruler.

Stone Turtle at the grave of Matsudaira Munenobu Gesshoji Temple (map) Matsue, Japan Munenobu is the sixth lord of Matsue, unusual for his gate guardians (above) and his stone turtle (here). The turtle bears a stele on its back, like the emperors of China; but there is only a nine-character inscription at the top, and the rest of the stele is left blank.