{"id":4151,"date":"2021-02-16T18:56:29","date_gmt":"2021-02-16T18:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toonsarah-travels.blog\/staging\/?p=4151"},"modified":"2021-02-16T18:58:02","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T18:58:02","slug":"the-bake-jizo-of-kanmangafuchi-abyss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toonsarah-travels.blog\/staging\/the-bake-jizo-of-kanmangafuchi-abyss\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bake-Jiz\u014d of Kanmangafuchi Abyss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Red, in Japan, is the colour of the sun (not yellow as in other cultures). It stands for life, power and protection, but also for death<\/span>, and is thought capable of expelling demons and illness. You see red everywhere; on temple roofs, torii<\/em> gates at shrines, lanterns and pagodas. And in the bibs and caps worn by the haunting Jiz\u014d statues of Kanmangafuchi Abyss in Nikko.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This gorge was formed about 7,000 years ago by an eruption of nearby Mount Nantai. Since then the river Daiya has been carving these huge boulders into dramatic shapes as it tumbles over them. This area has been considered a sacred place since ancient times, because Fudo-Myo-O (a manifestation of the Cosmic Buddha) once appeared to people from the deep waters of the river. The name of the abyss, \u2018Kanman\u2019, comes from the murmuring sound of the river; the Priest Kokai likened it to an incantation chanted by Fudo-Myo-O of which the last word was \u2018kanman\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wooded
Kanmangafuchi Abyss, Nikko<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Jiz\u014d statues<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

They are commonly referred to as Hyaku Jiz\u014d, meaning the \u2018100 Jiz\u014d\u2019; but there are in fact around 70 or 80 here as some were washed away in a flood in 1902. I say \u2018around 70 or 80\u2019 because it is said that no one knows the exact number. According to legend, each time they are counted the result is different, hence their other name, Bake-Jiz\u014d, meaning \u2018Ghost Jiz\u014d’. Of course the more rational visitor may conclude that the reason for all the discrepancies when counting is that many have been so badly damaged that they are now little more than a pedestal or pile of stones, and therefore no one can be sure whether or not to count them. But the legend is more captivating!<\/p>\n\n\n