A Brief Message from the Heart Award (Shortest Letter in Japan Award )
This competition has been held since 1993 and commemorates the briefest of letters, written by Shigetsugu (Sakuzaemon) Honda, father of the Maruoka feudal lord Narishige Honda (known in childhood as Osen) to his wife from the battlefield.
In poetic Japanese the letter says simply:
"A brief message from the heart - beware of fires, look after the children, take care of important things"
This is the shortest letter contest in Japan.
There is a letter writing corner in the main building where the letters written so far are exhibited, and stamps are also sold.
Postcards and letters visitors write can be posted in the mailbox in front of the entrance.
