NIPPON Kichi - 日本吉

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2007/2/8


一色大提灯まつり Isshiki-daicyouchin-matsuri Isshiki Giant Lantern Festival

Jp En

The Isshiki Giant Lantern Festival takes place at Suwa Shrine in Isshiki, Hazu-gun, Aichi Prefecture. The shrine was established as a branch temple of Suwa Taisha (in Nagano Prefecture) in 1564.

Back then, a monster known as Kaima used to appear and ransack the land and its crops. The villagers offered an Evil-Repressing Sword in front of their household altars and prayed for the monster to be expelled.

The monster did disappear and the ritual became an annual event. Gigantic lanterns about 4m round and 6m high are hung in rows. The people of the area form associations of 6 groups each, which compete with their lanterns. The Isshiki Giant Lantern Festival is held on August 26 and 27 every year.
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2007/1/26


高塚愛宕地蔵尊 Takatsuka-atago-jizouson The Takatsuka Atago Jizo Statue

Jp En

The Takatsuka Atago Jizo statue is located in Amagase-cho, Hita in Oita Prefecture, and is a rare example of a statue merging Buddhist and Shinto elements. It is also in unusually good condition despite its age.

The existence of this statue is clearly mentioned in the 'Takatsuki-engi', which records that, in the 12th year of the Tenpei era of the Nara period (740), on his way home from Chikugo, Gyoki-bosatsu stopped in Takamatsu to pray under a ginkgo tree for the nation's peace and prosperity. Here he received an oracle and, in gratitude, carved a Jizo image and had a structure built to enshrine it.

The Takatsuka Atago Jizo statue is reputed to grant any kind of wish, and the 2.3 million people who visit every year ensure that the temple and its precincts are always bustling. The approach to the shrine is always lined with shops selling local goods such as royal fern, bracken, shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts, and many more goods, adding to the bustle. The Takatsuka Atago Jizo statue is regarded with great fondness by all the locals.
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2007/1/24


矢喰宮 Yaguino-miya Yagui Shrine

Jp En

Yagui Shrine is located at Takatsuka, Okayama City, near the junction of the Chisui and Ashimori rivers. The four rocks of varying sizes in the shrine precincts are related to the folk tale of Momotaro, the Peach Boy.

According to the legend of the Kibitsu Shrine, these rocks are located at the point where two arrows struck each other and fell to the ground. The legend relates that one arrow was shot by Prince Kibitsuhiko, the model for Momotaro, and the other by Onra, the model for the ogre with whom Momotaro fought.

According to the legend of Demon Castle and the shrine's legend, these huge rocks were thrown here by Onra, while nearby bamboos grew from the site where Prince Kibitsuhiko's arrows fell.

Local people love these four granite rocks and the old legends relating to them.
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NIPPON Kichi - 日本吉 - 日本語に切り替える NIPPON Kichi - 日本吉 - to english

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