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This is a famous spot where Ushiwakamaru practiced asceticism, a highly religious mountain temple |
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Located on the other side of the Kibune River on the side of Mt. Kurama, this is the head temple of the Kuramakoukyo sect of Buddhism. It is said that the temple was founded as a defensive site on the northern frontier of the Heian capital in 770 AD by Gancho, the leading disciple of Ganjin, known as the founder of Buddhism in Japan. The temple is dedicated to Bishamonten, (one of the Shitenno guardian deities in Buddhism), considered as one part of Sonten, the unification of three guardian deities, along with Senjukanzeonbosatsu (one of the various manifestations of Kannonbosatsu), and Gohomaouson (said to have appeared 650,000 years ago from Venus, and known as the holy spirit of Mt. Kurama). There is a steep mountain path on the temple grounds, and most of the wide area is covered with wild conifer and Japanese hemlock. There is a cable car you can take from the Nioumon Deva Gate to the Tahoto Pagoda. The rocks under the approach path to the Okunoin Maouden Hall, where it is said that Gohomaouson appeared, are so hard that the roots of the Japanese cedar trees here can't penetrate the ground, and so they follow the surface of the pathway, forming the foundation of the Kinone Sando approach path (literally, the "tree root path"). It takes about one hour to walk the length of this path, which links Kibune and Kurama, and there are many places along the way that are associated with the legends related to Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune). There is spring known as the Ikizuke-no-mizu where it is said Ushiwakamaru stopped to quench his thirst on his way to practice his sword techniques, and the Seikurabe Stone where, feeling the sorrow of parting, he compared his height with the height of the stone when he departed for Oshu in the Tohoku region at the age of 16, a place where it is said he practiced jumping, and one where the legendary Tengu supposedly taught him sword techniques. With its rich natural beauty and cool mountain climate, this pure, quiet area is very peaceful. |
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| Nioumon Deva Gate |
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| Kondo main hall |
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