Today I went with Arao Taishi High School to Yotsuyama Jinja in Arao.
Yotsuyama Jinja was built near an ancient burial mound made in the late 6th century. It is said that the Bodhisattva Kokūzō Bosatsu (虚空蔵菩薩) descended there. Records say the temple was first built in 1070 C.E. Then the temple was rebuilt by the lord of Higo, Kiyomasa Kato, in the 1600's.
The enshrined deity is Ōyamatsumi, elder brother of Amaterasu, and an important god who rules mountain, sea, and war. He is also the father of Konohanasakuya-hime, the kami of Mount Fuji (from wikipedia).
Yotsuyama Jinja was built near an ancient burial mound made in the late 6th century. It is said that the Bodhisattva Kokūzō Bosatsu (虚空蔵菩薩) descended there. Records say the temple was first built in 1070 C.E. Then the temple was rebuilt by the lord of Higo, Kiyomasa Kato, in the 1600's.
The enshrined deity is Ōyamatsumi, elder brother of Amaterasu, and an important god who rules mountain, sea, and war. He is also the father of Konohanasakuya-hime, the kami of Mount Fuji (from wikipedia).
It was supposed to rain that day, but we got lucky and didn't see a single drop that day. When we arrived, we could see the long stairs climbing high into the mountain that lead to the shrine. The teacher who drove me there asked if I wanted to walk up the steps or drive to the top. Of course I said HECK LET'S WALK. I think he regretted giving me the choice more than I regretted making the choice.
But once we got up to the top, it was a beautiful view of the surrounding town and a truly stunning temple that had been there for hundreds if not almost a thousand years.
But enough about that, on to the pictures!
But once we got up to the top, it was a beautiful view of the surrounding town and a truly stunning temple that had been there for hundreds if not almost a thousand years.
But enough about that, on to the pictures!