|
“Choishimichi” walk…6 |
|
| In the neighborhood of stone marker 72 is “Riseki 3”. Going through the
mixed forest tunnel you will find the stone marker 60 in Yatate, reaching the Koyasan road. In this area you will find
a small temple with the sand-kneaded Jizo called “Yatate Suna Kone Jizo” which
is said to have been modeled by Kobo Daishi. People say, if you do not pray
with greed but from the bottom of your heart in front of this Jizo, you will be blessed with plenty happiness.
This is why he is also called “Shiawase Jizo”, Happiness-giving-Jizo. In front
of the temple is a tea room famous for its “Yakimochi” of Hanasaka, a Japanese
sweet of red Azuki-beans wrapped in a sweet rice paste lightly roasted, one of
the Koyasan souvenir’s must. After stone marker 54, stone marker 53 cannot be seen because it is
placed now on the Koyasan road. Another 5 km, and you will reach stone marker
6, where the Great Entrance Gate to Koyasan, the “Daimon” appears in front of
your eyes. |
|
 |
 |
|
on the left side the “Riseki” 3. on right side stone marker 72 |
on the right side stone marker 60 on the
Koyasan road |
 |
 |
|
Stone marker 60, “Yatate Suna Kone Jizo” |
the Koyasan road crossed a small car street leads to the stone marker
path |
 |
 |
|
Stone marker 59 and the “Roku Jizo” (six Buddhist sculptures called
Jizo, Sanskrit: Ksitigarbha, a protector of travellers and children) |
Close to the stone marker 55 is
the “Kesa gake ishi”, a stone where Kobo Daishi hung up his kesa. (Kesa;
Buddhist monk cloth which covers the left shoulder and arm). From this stone
you enter the purified world of Koyasan. |
 |
 |
|
“Push-up stone”. If you manage to pass through the two rocks you will
enjoy longevity. I cannot. |
Beyond the stone marker 54 you will find the “push-up stone”. When Kobo Daishi’s mother tried to cross the borderline to the sacred world a thunderstorm of fire rain started to fall. Kobo Daishi lifted the rock to protect his mother, is told. |
 |
 |
| Miracle of the hand prints on the “push-up-stone” |
Environment of stone marker 50. The atmosphere of the mountain changes:
a sign that you are approaching
Koyasan. |
 |
 |