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28‏/10‏/2014

Tomikawa Magaibutsu Rock Carvings

Buddha carved into a granite cliff face in Shiga

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

The Buddha is 6.3 meters high

Steps lead up the hillside

You can take a bamboo staff to help you climb

The path was extremely rough in places

It was a wonderful surprise to discover the rock carvings!

Looking up at the Buddha from an extreme angle

There are smaller figures accompanying the Buddha

It doesn't seem right to throw unwanted sacred scrolls in the garbage, so there are places like this to leave them

The tiny structure at the foot of the cliff is hardly even a shed

No bell, but a gong to ring

There is a small cave nearby

This tiny shrine seems to be falling over

Small ojizo with cups of sake

I discovered this place completely by accident while cycling in Shiga Prefecture. I was riding along Highway 422, not too far from Shigaraki. I saw fishermen fly-fishing in the river near a bridge, but I also saw some people walking into the trees, so I turned off the road and parked my bicycle. After walking along a very rocky track for about ten minutes, I was rewarded by a remarkable discovery - a 6.3 meter Buddha carved into a granite rock face! According to a 14th century document the image was completed in 715, which would make it very old indeed.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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