Tokushima

"Hoshi-no-Iwaya" and "Buddha Stone"

Legendary place of Koubou Daishi

Yoshifumi Hara Mar 26, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>The entrance of the temple is surrounded by maple trees</p>

<p>You may see a rainbow in front of the waterfall</p>

<p>Rainbows are a symbol of Acala, a guardian deity revered in Vajrayana Buddhism</p>

<p>Tiny building housing a Buddhist statue, "Hokora"</p>

<p>A huge Gingko tree stands beside the "Buddha Stone"</p>

<p>The Buddha Stone is a cluster of Buddhist statues</p>

I visited "Hoshi-no-Iwaya" and “Buddha Stone” the other day.

"Hoshi-no-Iwaya" is associated with the 19th temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage, Tatsue-ji Temple. According to legend, this is the place where Koubou Daishi (Kukai) contained evil spirits. As the temple is located in the middle of a mountain, it’s not easy to get to the place even by the car. However, it’s worth going there along a narrow path. There are maple trees and waterfalls in the garden. You can see beautiful scenery in early summer and autumn.

If you drive along the mountain road 1.5km farther, you will find something mysterious and strange (also a legendary place associated with Koubou Daishi). The “Buddha Stone” is its name , and it is difficult to convey the atmosphere with just words or a photograph. Please go and see it with your own eyes!