Kunisaki—where oni and Buddhas coexist as one.

What is oni ?
The Japanese word “oni” is often translated as “demon” in English. In this book,
we decided to use the word untranslated. Because there are all kinds of different
oni in Japan, from pretty scary monsters to friendly creatures that are deeply
connected with local communities. In Kunisaki, oni is regarded as something akinto ancestral souls that bring happiness to people, and this is why we admire andrespect them.

How were theseunusual-looking rockmountains formed?
The mountains of the Kunisaki Peninsula
are remnants of volcanic activity that
ended a round 150 million years ago.
Millions of years of erosion wore therocks down to their current shape.
There was a period of
intense volcanic activity
about 150 million years
ago. Thick, sticky lava
erupted from volcanos.

Viscous lava won't flow
easily, so it slowly
oozed from volcanos'
openings and piled
upon themselves. Overtime, massive, rounded,dome-shaped
mountains were builtof alternating layers oflava flows and volcanicash.

The natureand folkloreof Kunisaki

The stony mountains ofKunisaki where oni lives

The weaker areas ofrocks consisting
primarily of volcanic
ash were eroded byrain and wind, creating
the high, jagged peaks
that we see today.

A long, long time ago, Kunisaki was a remote village far from the imperial capital of Japan,
Kyo. Back then, the villagers believed and feared that terrifying oni lived beyond thejagged edge of the stony mountains and huge rocks. The giant cliffs, which were so steepthat no one could hope to scale them, had deadly caves where they believed oni lurked.
Kishiro The seemingly impenetrable stony mountains you cansee from the Nameshi Dam are called Kishiro, which means“the castle of the oni.” Karegawa, Bungotakada （▶ P39- ⑦）

is home to the otherworldly scenery of mountains andOni in Kunisaki Kunisaki
rocks packed with bizarre folktales and legends. Here you canvisit many sites steeped in folklore.
folklore
1

A stone staircase made by the oni

Tashibu Hirano, Bungotakada（▶ P39- ②）

Once upon a time, there was red oni whocame to the village of Tashibu to eat
people. Gongen-sama*, the guardian deityof the village, told the oni if he could build
a stone staircase of a hundred steps bydawn, he would be allowed to eat thevillagers. The oni accepted the offer andquickly installed 99 steps. Gongen-sama
was shocked to see that, so he imitated arooster's crow to startle him. The red oni
was so surprised that he ran away withthe 100th step on his shoulder.

2

The castle of the oni

Over 700 years ago, there lived a masterswordsmith named Ki no Yukihira whoserved the 82nd emperor of Japan,
Gotoba. After leaving the emperor’s
service, Yukihira went back to hishometown, Ebisu and continued to work
alone in a grotto. When he was pounding
away on a red-hot blade of steel, his facewould turn red. He looked so powerfuland formidable, local people came to call
him the oni deity (Kishin Dayu) and his
house the castle of the oni (Onigajō.)
There is a similar legend in Kiko, Kunisaki
City.

Ebisu, Bungotakada（▶ P39- ⑬）

Caves and pits ofvarious sizes occurred
where volcanic rocks
slid off the surface, andthe exposed areas were
worn away by erosion,
growing deeper andbigger over time.

3

The bridge and path made by oni

Futagoji Temple, Kunisaki（▶ P39- ⑳）

Once there was a Buddhist monk named
Sentokubō at a temple called Futagoji. He wassuch a strong man. One day, he brought a single
gigantic rock from the mountains and built abridge over a stream running through the groundsof the temple. There was also a rock cliff
blocking a path to the mountain top. To clear theway, he shoved his back against the cliff's wall,
making a ravine that cut the cliff into two halves.
Because of his superhuman strength, people
called him oni. The rock bridge became known as“the bridge of the oni” (Onibashi,) and the paththrough the ravine as “the path of the oni” (Onino sewari.)

4

The crazy oni of Iwatoji Temple

Iwatoji Temple, Kunisaki（▶ P39- ⑯）

Long ago, there lived a Buddhist monk named
Ichinobō at a temple called Iwatoji in the Imi
region. One day, he put on a mask of oni andsuddenly turned into crazy oni (araoni.) He
has gone completely off his head. He ran pasta boundary stone, which supposed to stop oni,
to the far end of the village and died rightthere. When he died, the mask flew off and bit
into a rock at Gongensaki Head. Since then,the oni mask of Iwatoji Temple was nowhere
to be found, and it is said that Gongensaki
Head would be lit up with a ghostly flame on
the night of Shujô onie, a traditional festival
celebrated in January.

＊ Who is Gongen-sama? Meaning "incarnation," Gongen-sama was believed to be the manifestation of Buddha in the form of a deity to save people. About one thousand years ago, this concept was developed from the widespread belief that the true nature of all Japanese gods was Buddha; this struck a chord with the masses at that time.

26

27

Mineiri:a pilgrimage tothe den of oni

The spiritual
culture of
Kunisaki

Namah

SamandaVajranamIn the Medieval period, monks in Kunisaki were so
deeply in awe of supernatural forces andvehemence of oni that they considered them as
incarnations of deities. They head for themountains to go on a pilgrimage through
Daimasyo, where they believed oni lived, to obtainsupernatural powers. This pilgrimage is called
Mineiri, which means “entering the mountains.”
They began building temples here and there on the
Kunisaki Peninsula, which had been feared as theden of oni and no one had dared to go near.
Gradually more and more people came to settle in
the area, and villages formed.

ChandaMaharosana
Sphotaya

Hum Trat

Ham Mam◀ Participants of the pilgrimage in2010. Mineiri is a long-lasting
tradition in Kunisaki. Pilgrims walk
mountain trails while chanting
Buddhist mantras* throughout theirjourney.

▼ A monk praying in a grotto.

What do you do
during the pilgrimage?

A pewter staff(syakujō)

The Hindu deity,
Mahākāla’s hat(Daikoku zukin)

Their iconic uniform includes a whiterobe, which represents physical andA surplice worn spiritual purity. It is also a burial
around the neck garment, symbolizing the wearer’s
purity of soul and the transformation(wagesa)of the previous self into a higher self
as a result of the pilgrimage.

Mineiri is a pilgrimage following thefootsteps of Ninmon Bodhisattva*. Most
pilgrims walk approximately 160 km in four
Arm and wrist
days, covering almost the entire peninsula. protectors
There are many dangerous spots along the (tekō)trail. Participants have to jump between
enormous rocks and cross a bridge over a
deep canyon. Monks would run at speed
throughout the arduous and perilous trek inthe hope of obtaining supernatural power ofoni. Another important purpose of thepilgrimage is to give blessings for local
people they meet along the way and pray for
their good health and protection from harm.

A special garment
representing physicaland spiritual purity (jōe)
A cloth bag(zudabukuro)

Buddhist prayer
beads (juzu)
Mountain trousers(yamabakama)

Cloth leggings(kyahan)White socks(shirotabi)

Straw sandals(waraji)▲ Mumyobashi Bridge
It is said that as long as your mind is pure, you won't fall off fromthis stone bridge situated high up in the mountains The picture
shows the Nakayama Senkyō Valley.
（▶ P39- ⑪）

PilgrimoutfitA large conch shellused as a trumpet(horagai)

Rokugo manzan

What is in thesegrottos?
Imi

Hollows in large rocks and stone cliffs arecalled iwaya, which means “a grotto.”
People believed that oni lived in grottos.
Back in the day, monks would stay thenight in a grotto, place a statue of Buddha
and pray.

KunisakiMusashi

KunawaTashibuAki▲ Grottoes were developed into mountain temples. The one
pictured here has been passed down for generations and is stillused today as the inner sanctuary (okunoin.)28＊ What is a mantra? A mantra is a sequence of sacred words in Sanskrit believed tohave spiritual efficacy or magical power.

It is said that approximately 1300 years
ago, Ninmon Bodhisattva established thefirst temple on the Kunisaki Peninsula
for spiritual training. After a while, more
temples were built in the area, and theycame to be collectively called Rokugo
manzan. Rokugo means “six regions,”
which refer to the former regions of
Kunawa, Tashibu, Imi, Kunisaki, Musashi,and Aki.

＊ Who is Ninmon Bodhisattva? The legend says that Hachiman, which refers to the syncretic divinity of archery and war,transformed into Ninmon Bodhisattva.

29

of the year
The one night
eet onithat you can m

The protagonistsof the festival

Shujo onie

Shujō onie is created in collaboration with the monksof the respective temples and locals alike. Monks andlocal people both play important roles in the festival.
Taireshi
Taireshi is one of the important roles
played by local people during thefestival. A group of taireshi escorts
oni to and from the temple hall andcarries a big torch.

Suzuoni
It is said that suzuoni represents
Buddha’s mercy. Suzuoni invites oni toenter the hall. It is played by twomonks wearing masks of an old man
and an old woman.
The festival finally ends as
dawn approaches.

Oni
Suzuoni invites oni in the hall and taireshi
carries them on their backs from a grotto to
the temple hall. There are three different kindsof oni for the festival: saiharaioni, araoni, andshizumeoni. Depending on the location of thefestival, different oni may appear.

Shujo onie

Everyone goes back to thehall around 03:00

After oni is done the rounds in the village, they
go back to the temple to make one last racket. In
the end, taireshi holds oni down and put somespecial rice cakes in their mouths. Oni quiets
down and goes back to monks.
This is performed only
at Iwatoji Temple andJyōbutsuji Temple.

Shujo onie is an annual festival used to be celebrated atmore than twenty temples in the Rokugo manzan area fromthe seventeenth to the mid-nineteenth century, but it is now
only held at three locations: Tennenji Temple on the westside of the peninsula, Jobutsuji Temple and Iwatoji Temple
on the east side. Let’s have a look at what happens at Iwatoji
Temple on the night of the festival.

A blessing ceremonyaround 23:00 (Kajikitō)Oni visits local housesaround 0:00

Kajikitō means incantations and prayers. Oni
performs incantations by hitting spectators’shoulders and backs lightly with their torches.

Oni runs out of the temple with taireshi. They
go to the village and visit local houses. They
offer sticks of incense at small home alters andrecite Buddhist scriptures. When they are done,
they will join the villagers for refreshments.

The timetable of Shujō onie
at Iwatoji Temple● Daytime service from 15:00

Let’s see the main events of thefestival.

around 22:30 (Onibashiri)

A purification ritual from18:00 (Koritori)

Kodo at Iwatoji Temple

Kōdō is a temple hall where monks gather to study andchant sutras. The one at Iwatoji Temple was built about
two hundred years ago, and is used as the main stage
for Shujō onie.

30

A torch lighting ceremony
from 19:30 (Taiage)

In the freezing cold, taireshi (for explanation see
the top right corner) immerse themselves in theice-cold river running through the grounds of thetemple to purify their bodies.hundred years ago,
and is used as the main stage for Shujō onie.

A large torch made of cedar timbers tied withspilt bamboo is lit. A group of taireshi carries it
up to the main gate of the temple and offers it
to Buddha.

＊ Onio local people call Shujō onie as “Onio” or “Oniyo.”

A danceritualperformed by
the monks
around 22:00(Kozui)

Two monks with sticks(kōzuibō) perform aspirited ritual of dancing
and chanting Buddhist
scriptures to purify the
space.

In the temple’s grotto, two monks
transform themselves into saiharaioni
and shizumeoni. Taireshi carries them on
their backs to the hall. Standing next totaireshi, oni jumps and violently swings
torches around, while singing at the topof their voice.

A dance ritual
performed by themonks around 22:00(Suzuoni)

Two monks with handheld bells (suzu) andpaper streamers used in a Shinto ceremonyturn into suzuoni and perform a dance
ritual to invite oni into the temple hall.

Monks recite Buddhist scriptures in the hall.
● A dinner at the main building from 17:00 (Otoki)
Monks and participants eat dinner together.
● A purification ritual from 18:00 (Kōritori)
Taireshi purifies their bodies.
● A prayer for the success of the event at the mainbuilding from 19:00 (Sakazuki no gi)
People gather to pray for the success of Shujō onie.
● A torch lighting ceremony from 19:30 (Taiage)
Taireshi offers a big torch (ōdai) to the god of thetemple.
● Night service at the temple hall from 20:30
Monks recite Buddhist scriptures.
● A dance ritual at the temple hall from 22:00(Tachiyaku)
Monks purify the space and invite oni in the hall.
● Oni makes a round in the village from 22:30(Onibashiri)
Oni comes in the temple hall, dances and hits
spectators with the torch, goes out the temple, visits
local homes, goes back to the hall and then turns backinto monks.

31

Oni in Kunisaki

A torchIn Kunisaki, oni became popular among locals as
they were considered to be incarnations ofdeities and Buddha. People believed that oni
brought them happiness and protected themfrom harm. Let’s have a look at what kind of oni
An ax
you can expect to see at Shujo onie,
A piece of equipmentused by oni which
Kunisaki’s New Year’s festival insymbolizes
the bountiful nature
which people pray for luck,of the mountains.
happiness and protection
from bad luck.

Oni has a torch in his left
hand. During theperformance, oni dances
around wildly and lightly hit
the audience with the torch topray for their good health.

“Horen shoyo,

sora onniwa yo.”What doesoni look like?

“oni wa yo,

Masks of various
oni worn at
Shujo onie

Long ago, when many
temples in Rokugo
manzan celebrated thisfestival, each community
had its unique oni masks.

Foodofferings to
oni.

Local temples and villagers
prepare a special meal foroni to eat during Shujō onie.

The significanceof oni in the cultureof Kunisaki

raisho wa yo.”The oni that appears in Shujō
onie has a unique appearance.
Let’s take a closer look.

The hairThe oni mask used in Shujō onie
has a mass of untamed hair
made from blades of Japanese
sweet flag grass (oniyassya.)An oni mask

The oni mask worn inShujō onie

A sword

A piece of equipmentused by oni which
symbolizes wisdom.

A wooden mallet

A piece of equipment usedby oni which symbolizes
wealth.

Wisteria vines

Checkthis out!

The powerof oni to bringhappiness topeopleIn Kunisaki, oni is believed to be incarnationsof deities and Buddha who demonstrate their
spiritual power by rituals. At Shujō onie, oni
gives the audience the blessings of good healthand protection from evil forces (kajikitō.)Oni's torso, arms, and legs aretied with vines of white wisteria
at twelve different places
respectively, with a large, single
bell tied to his back. This is done
to weaken the power of oni.

Straw sandals

Oni is considered to bea holy being, so they
are not supposed towalk on the ground.

The traditional snack for the festival(Oni no mezamashi)
These spicy grilled rice cakes are loaded with hot chili and soybean
paste sauce served on bamboo skewers. A favorite late-night snackto keep you awake during the festival.
At Shujō onie, oni lightly hits the audience on their backs with a torch to give the blessings ofgood health and protection from evil forces.

Is the oni in Shujo onie the same as Acala?
The oni appears in Shujō onie is considered to be incarnations of Ninmon
Bodhisattva or Acala, which is a fierce Buddhist deity who is believed toprotect and help the faithful achieve enlightenment with the power todefeat all evils and bring happiness to all. He has a sword of wisdom in theright hand, which is the same as the one the oni has. There is often an Acalastatue inside caves and grottoes in the mountains on the Kunisaki Peninsula
where people believed oni lived. Generally, Acala is depicted in an angry
face, whereas in Kunisaki, people have been on friendly terms with oni, so
Acala statues have more benign, gentle
A wooden statue of Acala at Makiōdō Temple（▶P39- ③）with a sword in his right hand and a
and rounded facial features.
flaming nimbus behind.

This painting, titled Ōshiokumi emaki, resides in the collection of Kasugajinja（▶P39- ㉑）. It
depicts a parade of people praying for rain led by oni.

The meal for oni
For Shujō onie, villagers welcome oni-sama* into their homes andprovide a feast for them. They usually serve authentic Japanesedishes, such as stewed vegetables or beans, a clear broth, sashimi,
sushi rolls, and sake.

＊ Local people call the oni that appears in Shujō onie “oni-sama” to express their respect and affection for them.

32

33

Different varieties of oni
in JapanOni from
different partsof Japan

鬼,,which is pronounced “guǐ,” is the

Different varietiesof oni in Japangeneral Chinese term for ghost. The
Chinese character was adopted inJapanese to refer to oni. In ancient China,
guǐ only meant “the soul of the dead.”
The term has evolved over time todescribe objects of dread, such as ghost
and monster. On the other hand, it is said
that oni had existed in Japan even before
the term was adopted in Japanese.
Now let’s take a look at the rich variety ofoni in Japan, emerged from a complex
interplay of factors including thesensitivity and emotional life of theancient Japanese, historicalbackground, recurring natural
disasters and epidemics, and people's
relationship to Buddhism.

Every region of Japan has a wealthof folklore and traditions associatedwith oni.

Namahagefrom Northeast Japan

Shuten doji

in the Kinki region

Tengu

Prison guards

One of the most well-known
creatures of Japanese folklore, tengu
is considered to live deep in themountains. They are red-faced,long-nosed and winged, dressed like
Japanese mountain ascetic hermits
and carrying pilgrim's staffs, large
war swords, and feather fans. They
can transform themselves into oni or
humans. The one pictured here is a
giant head of tengu in front of theKurama Station, Kyoto.

People believed that oni served theKing of Death in the Buddhist hell,
working as hell-wardens who
dutifully inflict an assortment ofgruesome tortures upon the wrongdoers. The one pictured here is astatue of a hell-warden at theentrance to hot spring baths in
Beppu, Oita.

(reordered all over the country)(reordered all over the country)

Image courtesy of
the Tsubouchi
Memorial Theatre
MuseumNamahage appears in a mid-January
festival on the Oga Peninsula, Akita.
They are considered as deities whocome to scare children in theirhomes to bring good luck and makethem behave.

Shuten dōji is the leader of a gang of oni whichcaused chaos in ancient Kyoto, stealing treasures andkidnapping noble virgins. According to legend, he
was killed by the hero Minamoto no Yorimitsu. It issaid that one of his retainers, Sakata no Kintoki, wasthe model of the famous folk hero, Kintarō.

Image courtesy of Akita
Tourism Federation

The princess Takiyasha
in the Kanto region

Also known as Takiyasha the Witch, she
was the daughter of the warlord Tairano Masakado who was decapitated overa thousand years ago. Legend has it that
she turned to sorcery to satisfy her thirstfor revenge. Her ghost stories weremade into ukiyo-e woodblock prints andkabuki plays.
Image courtesy of Art ResearchCenter, Ritsumeikan University

Oni that appears in the
Hanamatsuri festival
in the Chubu region

Oni has been deeply embedded in thepsyche of Japanese people from ancient
times to the present. Even now, we are
inclined to believe they exist.

Oni appears in the big festival which has been celebrated
for over 700 years in Okumikawa, Aichi. Villagers and oni
dance all night, and oni wildly beats bonfires with axes torepel evil spirits and keep people safe.

Image courtesy of Oita Prefectural Tourism
Association

Oni that appears
in Shujo onie, Oita
A New Year’s festival celebrated at
temples on the Kunisaki Peninsula,
Oita to drive out evil spirits. Oni
performs a ritual and gives blessingsto the audience.

What is oni in Japan?

Oni in the story of Momotaroin the Chugoku region

Momotarō is a popular folklore hero in the
Chūgoku region, who goes on a journey to defeat
oni. It is said that the oni in the story was modeled
after the legendary oni and ruler of this area, Ura,
who was killed by a prince.

The term oni refers to several different
types of supernatural beings.

1

Horrifying demons related to
Buddhism

Pantu

on the Miyako Island,
Okinawa

They are typically rendered as hideous, gigantic ogre-likecreatures with one or more horns atop their heads, with sharp
claws and canine teeth, wearing tiger-skin loincloths andcarrying spiked iron clubs. They typically appear in various
folktales and traditional rituals such as Setsubun, a spring
ritual to drive away bad luck. Demons in the Buddhist hell, evil
spirits, and benevolent deities are included in this category.

2

3

Pāntu refers to demons that appear
in a festival. They are covered in
mud from head to toe, wrappedaround with vines and wearing
masks. They run around the village
and smear mud on villagers to ward
off evil spirits and misfortunes.

Ancestral spirits
In Japan, there is a belief that when someone dies, their soul
returns to the mountains to join the realm of deities, andancestral spirits protect their descendants and visit them on
New Year’s Day and during the Bon festival in summer.
Because they are invisible, they are called “onu” or “on,”which means “hidden,” and this overtime became “oni”

Ushionion Shikoku Island

Image courtesy of Okinawa Convention &Visitors Bureau

Deities and supernatural phenomenaThis category includes various types of nature spirits that live
deep in the mountains such as legendary creatures,
supernatural monsters, spirits and demons in Japanesefolklore, wrathful deities in Buddhism, and mountain gods.

Ushioni is a mythical creature with the headof oni and the body of a bull. On Shikoku
Island, there are many legends surroundingushioni, who is said to appear on the shores
and attack people. The picture here is of theushioni festival in Uwajima, Ehime.

The word “oni” has many different usages.
To describe something big: i.e. oni yanma (jumbo dragonfly) and oni
hitode (large starfish.)● To describe someone brave: i.e. oni shogun (lion-hearted general)● To describe someone ruthless: i.e. oni kenji (cold-hearted prosecutor)● To describe someone working with great concentration and effort: i.e.
shigoto no oni (a demon for work)●

Oni in the world!
There are varied and diverse
folklore and mythology
surrounding supernatural,monstrous creatures in various
places in the world. For
example, in Europe, there is avariety of unique traditions thathave survived to the present day.
Especially in carnivals, you may
be surprised to find masked
figures that look just like oni.

Tschäggättä arecarnival figures
typical to the
Lötschental region
in the southernpart of
Switzerland. Cladin goat or sheep
skin and hiding
behind impressive
carved woodenmasks, villagers
frighten passersby
and play pranks.
The way theyroam through thevalley reminds usof Japanese oni＊ Names contain “oni”: oni itomakiei (Manta birostris—the largest ray in the world); oni azami (Cirsium
borealinipponense—thistle bearing sharp thorns); and oni yuri (Lilium lancifolium—its bright orange flowers look
Image courtesy of Nanyo Bureau, Ehime Prefectural Office

34

Sakakioni at Nakashitara hanamatsuri festival, Tōeichō, Aichi(Image courtesy of Okumikawa Tourism Association)

like red oni.)

35

Protecting our heritagefor present andfuture generations
The enduring quest of Mineiri, the power of people’s imaginationthat conceived oni, and their commitment to continue thetradition of Shujo onie: all these are evidence of our ancestors’
lives that has formed our historical and cultural identity.
Kunisaki’s rich and fascinating heritage can be seen not only intemples and statues but also in its nature and landscapes, which
impact on and shape people's lives and lifestyles.

Magaibutsu—Buddhist figures
carved into the rock face

Kunisaki’s cultural
assetsIn East and Southeast Asia, there is a numberof giant relief sculpture of Buddha and his
acolytes carved into rock faces, with the
Ajanta Caves in India being one of the most
famous. Made more than a thousand years
ago, this is the oldest relief sculpture in
Japan. Oita Prefecture and especially
Kunisaki are well known for their rock-cut
Buddhist cave monuments.

Kumano magaibutsu（▶ P39- ②）This is the biggest and oldest siteof Buddist relief sculptures in Oita,
situated beside the road from
Taizōji Temple to Kumanojinja
Shrine. In the picture here, you
see Mahavairocana on the rightand Acala on the left, carved into
the cliff. The Acala relief stands
over eight meters tall (26ft.)

The Kunisakito Pagoda

On the Kunisaki Peninsula, you can expect
to find an array of stone religious
monuments, such as a pagoda which is atiered tower made of stone or othermaterial to enshrine sutras or serve as atomb. The one at Iwatoji Temple isdesignated as an Important Cultural
Property.

Spectacular green rice fields of
Tashibunoshou Osaki, Bungotakada
Local farmers have maintained the traditional landscape of rice
fields for centuries. Steeped in beauty and history, these narrowlanes and waterways remain well protected to this day.

（▶ P39- ④）

A picture of the village of
Tashibugumi Osakimura
It is said that this painting was ofTashibunoshou Osaki in 1689. Even
now, there are still rice paddies ofvarious shapes and sizes made to fit
into the landscape. Reminiscent oflife hundreds of years ago, it isdesignated as an Important CulturalLandscape for its outstanding culturaland scenic value in a national context.

The natural woodlandof Monjuyaba
Monjuyaba is known forbreathtaking scenery consisting ofancient giant trees such as Zelkova
serrata, Castanopsis sieboldii,
Japanese blue oak and cedar. It is
designated as National Site of
Scenic Beauty.

（▶ P39- ⑰）

36

Iwatoji Temple（▶ P39- ⑯）
Ebisu satokagura
Kagura: theatrical dance of
Shinto boasting more than
three hundred years of history

Kagura refers to sacred songs and dances performed inworship to guardian deities that protect the land and the sea.
It serves a number of purposes, such as purifying a space,ensuring a bountiful harvest or catch, and warding off illness.
37

A cultural map of Kunisaki Penninsula
Fukuoka
Saga
Oita❶ Usajingū Shrine

It is the headquarters of all the Hachimangū shrines,
which are most frequently dedicated to three deities:
Hachiman the Emperor Ōjin, his mother the Empress
Jingū, and the goddess Hime no ōkami.

❼ Kishiro⓯ Itsutsuji fudōson

This grotto is dedicated to Acara. Legend has it that
Ninmon Bodhisattva trained in here.

❽ Tennenji Temple
One of the Rokugo
manzan temples.
It was carved out
from a massive
boulder by the
Nagaiwayagawa
River.

The Kunisaki Penninsula is home to so much natural beauty andcultural heritage. Rich with history and folklore, it takes us on ajourney to the ancient and medieval world. There are manylovingly preserved stone buildings and monuments in Kunisaki,
and they provide the historic character and ambiance of the place.

⓰ Iwatoji Temple and Kunisakitō

Nagasaki Kumamoto❷ The stone stairs made by oni/ Kumano magaibutsu

Kagoshima

Miyazaki❸ Makiōdō Temple

The temple houses nine Buddhist statues, including
Amitābha, Yamāntaka, and the nation’s biggest
wooden statue of standing Acara.

❾ Tennenji yaba andthe Mumyōbashi Bridge❿ Mudōji yaba
⓫ Nakayama senkyo

a.k.a. the Ebisudani Valley

Pagoda⓱ Monjusenji Temple, Monju

yaba andthe natural forest⓲ Jōbutsuji Temple

This temple is home to Shujō onie, a traditional
festival designated as Important Intangible Cultural
Property.

This valley is known for its fantastic landscapecharacterized by 50 meters high rock cliffs.
The Ōfudōiwaya Grotto ⓮A cultural map ofKunisakiSuonadaRokushojinjya Shrine ⓬Nakayama senkyo a.k.a.
the Ebisudani Valley ⓫Mudōji yaba ❿Tennenji Temple ❽The Kasugajinjya Shrine andŌshiokumi emaki

Itsutsuji fudōson⓯⓭ Onigajō

Iwatoji Temple and⓰ Kunisakitō Pagoda
Monjusenji Temple,⓱ Monju yaba and the natural forest

Tennenji yaba and❺ Fukiji ōdō❾ the Mumyōbashi Bridge❻❼ KishiroThis is the oldest remaining wooden building in
Kyushu, built in the 12th century. It is one of thethree most famous temple halls that enshrines astatue of Amitābha.

⓴ Futagoji Temple

Chōanji Temple
and the Tarōtenzō Statue

Bungotakada❹ Tashibunoshou⓲ Jōbutsuji Temple

Kunisaki⓳ Maruonoji Temple⓬ Rokushojinjya Shrine

Six different kami are enshrined here.
Gakuniwajinjya Shrine is known as “otabisho," wherekami stays during their trips between places, and ascared dance ritual called Ebisu kagura is performed.

⓳ Maruonoji Temple❺ Fukiji ōdō

Here, children celebrate Kodomo onie, a festival
performed by children only.

⓴ Futagoji Temple

One of the Rokugo manzan temples. It is locatedhalfway up the Futagoyama mountain in the middleof the Kunisaki Peninsula.

（Kunisaki）❶

Usajingū Shrine

The Kunisaki Penninsula

Tashibunoshou ❹Usa❸ Makiōdō Temple❻ Chōanji Temple andthe Tarō tenzō Statue❷ The stone stairs made by oni /Kumano magaibutsu

Oita Airport

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Tarō tenzō is astatue of a childthat is considered
to be an incarnationof Acara.
Practitioners
engaged in the
Mineiri pilgrimage
believe that thisstatue watches overand protect them.

⓭ Onigajō⓮ The Ōfudōiwaya GrottoThis grotto is located on the path where Mineiri
pilgrims walk. From here, you can enjoy abreathtaking view of big rocks and boulders.

The Kasugajinjya Shrine andŌshiokumi emaki

The Moriewan Bayi
The Hij
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BypassHiji

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