Guide Tour of
Stone Buddha Statues
Made by Takato Masons- Ina and Takato –

高遠石工
石仏巡礼

Welcome toHometown of
Takato Masons

The Incorporated Association of Takato Masons Research Center
Ina City OfficeCherry blossoms of Takato and the Chuo-Alps

Stairs of approach to Kempuku-ji Temple

Welcome to Hometown of Takato Ishiku (Masons)

CONTENTS

In rural districts in Japan, you can see many stone Buddha statues. In this area, Ina and Takato with preserved scenery of the Edo

Welcome to Hometown of Takato Masons

1

period, there are quite many statues and monuments, and they have been maintained in good conditions.

Contents

2

You can see many stone engraving works such as “Dosojin” monument, “Koshin-to” monument and “Bato Kannon” statue on

Kempuku-ji Temple, Core in Tour of Stone Statues made by Takato Masons

3various roadsides as well as stone Buddha statues with distinctive features by approaches, within premises and in backyards through

Keisen-in Temple, Famous temple in a peaceful time flow

5

visit of Buddhist temples scattered around the area.

Daisho Fudo-myouoh in Katsuma, One of masterworks of Moriya Sadaji

6

According to the chronological table of “Stone cultural assets in Ina City” , six Jizo statues (stone lantern type) in Kami-Kawate,

Stone Statues in Takato Town, The town of Kohigan-zakura (cherry blossoms)

7

Misuzu, made in 1623, are the oldest. In stone statues made by known mason, “Shoumen Kongo” statue in Kurogochi, Hase, madeTsuetsuki Kaido (Highway in Edo Period), Fujisawa Valley - Hometown of Masons

9by Dennojo in March, 1725, is the oldest. In the early stage, masons in Takato didn’ t engrave their names on stone statues, but

Village of Masons “Hase” , Heart of the Minami-Alps

11

many statues with engraved creator are left after this age.

Brand in Edo Period “Takato Masons” , Masons Popular across the Country

13

In the approach, premises and backyard cemetery of the temple “Kempuku-ji” in Nishi-Takato, 33 Kannon statues made by Moriya

Misuzu and Tera, Other Hometowns of Takato Masons

15

Sadaji and other outstanding works made by various masons including Shibuya Tobei will welcome you. The Bussoku-seki

Higashi-Haruchika and Tomigata, Stone Buddha Statues Scattered in Rural Scenery

17(Buddha’ s footprint stone) and the poetry monument are uncommon in this area.

Major Stone Statues in Ina City / Workbook of Moriya Sadaji

19

In “Keisen-in” of Higashi-Takato, it is good to walk in the backyard as well as seeing Jizo and Kannon statues by the approach.

Successful Period of Takato Masons and Famines/Disasters / Index

20

We will be very happy if this brochure is helpful to your tour of Takato, the hometown of Takato Masons.

Map 1 : General Map for Stone Statue Tour in Ina and Takato

21

Map 2 : Stone Statue Tour around Takato

22

Photograph in cover :Fuku Kensaku Kannon Statue(One of 33 Kannon statues,
Kempuku-ji Temple)

Hiromoto Takeiri
Representative Director, The Incorporated Association of Takato Masons Research Center
1

2

Start the tour of stone statues in
Takato at this temple.

Stairs in the approach to Kempuku-ji Temple

Saigoku (western provinces) 33 Kanzeon Bosatsu (Kannon) statues, made by
Moriya Sadaji in 1800s
Front right: the 6th “Senju (thousand-hand) Kannon” (in the motif of the Buddha
statue of Tsubosaka-san Minami-hokke-ji in Yamato Province)

Core in thetour of stone statues
made by Takato Masons

Kempuku-ji
TempleA Buddhist temple in
Nishi-Takato, Takato

建福寺

The 30th Senju Kannon (in the motif of the Buddha
statue of Chikubu-jima Hogon-ji, Gankon-zan, Ohmi)

The 29th Bato Kannon (in the motif of the Buddha
statue of Matsunoo-dera, Aoba-san, Tango)

Saigoku (western provinces) 33 Kanzeon Bosatsu
Base for prayers of common folks having 33 replicas of(Kannon) statues, the essence of Sadaji’ s engraving

main statues from the Saigoku 33 Temples at once

In Kempuku-ji Temple (see the index in P. 20), 40 stone statues are kept. They are
made by Moriya Sadaji, a master of Takano Masons. This is the only point you
can see so many stone statues in this area.
Stone statues in Kempuku-ji Temple are designated as tangible cultural assets in
Ina City. The assets include Ganou Jizo-son (Jizo statue in front of the main hall),Emmei Jizo-son (Jizo statue in the backyard cemetery) and Kyarada-sen Jizo
Bosatsu (Jizo statue by the stairs in the approach), all made by Sadaji, as well as
Saigoku 33 Kanzeon Bosatsu. You can also see Bussoku-seki (Buddha's footprintstone) and Yoryu Kannon made by Shibuya Tobei, a pupil of Sadaji.

Highlights①“Saigoku 33 Kanzeon Bosatsu” statues as one of the masterworksof Moriya Sadaji (see the index (2) in P. 20)②Ganou Jizo-son (Jizo statue in front of the main hall, made by
Moriya Sadaji)③Bussoku-seki (Buddha's footprint stone) (in front of the main hall,made by Shibuya Tobei)

Bussoku-seki (Buddha's footprint stone)(in front of the main hall)

3

The 24th Juichi-men (11-face) Kannon (in the motif of
the Buddha statue of Nakayama-dera, Shiun-zan, Settsu)

Ganou Jizo-son (Jizo statue in front of themain hall, made in Bunsei Period)

4

大聖不動明王

Famous temple
in a peaceful time flow

Keisen-in Temple
Higashi-Takato, Takato

Juntei Kannon known as

Still guardian “Fudo-myouoh”

the mother of Buddha

A retainer of Buddha with

It is transmitted that

angry face and wearing flames,

she will fulfill women’ s wishes.

a masterwork of Sadaji

Juntei Kanzeon Bosatsu(made by Moriya Sadaji in 1820)(Joining her hands in prayer)

桂泉院“Daisho Fudo-myouoh” (Made by Moriya Sadaji in 1820s)“Juntei Kannon” , a masterwork of Sadaji staying
in a scene of light and shadow
Keisen-in Temple (see the index (3) in P.20) is located on a hill overlooking the ruins of
Takato Castle, and has various stone statues made by Takato Masons in the premises.
Passing under the main gate, two stone statues made by Sadaji on both sides of stone stairs
will welcome you. You will enjoy peaceful visit at the temple. Juntei Kannon on the rightside is one of the masterworks of Sadaji and it is transmitted to fulfill women’ s wishes. It
is also recommended to visit the cemetery for successive chief priests. You can see Nyoirin
Kannon statue made by Shibuya Tobei, a pupil of Sadaji, as well as the tower tomb of
Yokai Osho (chief priest).

Local residents wishingsecurity of the Mibu Riverrequired to build the statue.
The Fudo-myouoh,
Nyoirin Kannon (made by Shibuya Tobei)

The main hall of Keisen-in Temple

The tower tomb of Yokai Osho(chief priest, made by Shibuya Tobei in 1849)

overlooking the raging streamof the river (see the index (5)in P. 20), is wearing flamesHighlights

and has angry look with deep
mercy.

①Juntei Kanzeon Bosatsu (see the index (4) in P. 20) and 2 Emmei Jizo statues made by Moriya Sadaji②Nyoirin Kannon and the tower tomb of Yokai Osho made by Shibuya Tobei③Stone god images and stone Buddha statues made by unknown masons in the premises

5

The statue is placed on a sheer cliff by a bridge over the Mibu River.
Be sure to see the statue on the bridge, because the point is quite dangerous.
Do not park your car around the bridge, while there is no car parking. It is very dangerous.

One of masterworks ofMoriya Sadaji

DaishoFudo-myouoh
in Katsuma
Tokiwa Bridge,
Katsuma, Takato
6高遠

Takato, Shinshu (Nagano)
The Hometown of Takato Masons

Stone Statues inCenter of Takato Town,
The town ofKohigan-zakura(cherry blossoms)

Ruins ofSoton-ji
TempleWhy not take a tour of stone
god images and stone Buddha statues
together with cherry blossoms orautumn leaves?
Takato-wa Yamasuso-no Machi
Furuki Machi
Yukiau Kora-no Utsukushiki Machi
Tayama Katai(Takato town with nostalgic streets on the skirts of theEmmei-jizo Bosatsu is also placed within the cottage.

mountain, Filled with heartwarming meetings with children)
After visiting Kempuku-ji Temple, you can take a tour

Approach to Kofuku-ji, welcoming withstone statues and autumn leavesof stone statues in the center of Takato Town. In an

Kofuku-ji
TempleNijuniya-sama
Shrineancient temple Kofuku-ji Temple (see the index (6) in P.
20), you will meet wonderful stone statues placed in“Jizo-do” , made by Mukaiyama Juzaemon, and thestone tower “Hokyoin-to” . It is also good to walk theEmmei-jizo Bosatsu

old street in front of Hokoji-jinja Shrine heading
toward the ruins of Soton-ji Temple on the right-side
hill. You can see a big Jizo statue there. In
Nijuniya-sama (22nd night) Shrine by the bridge

Membership of “The most beautiful villages in Japan” Union“Tennyo-bashi” , you can see Emmei-jizo statue madeTakato was admitted to a membership of “The most beautiful villages in Japan” Union.
The union valued two resources “Takato Kohigan-zakura (cherry blossoms)” andby Sadaji.
Stone statues made by Mukaiyama Juzaemon, Jizo-do

7

Hokyoin-to made in 1722

“Stone works by Takato Masons” in Takato as unique local resources.

8

Tsuetsuki Kaido(Highway in Edo Period)

Kibune Jinja Shrine with various stone works by
Takato Masons such as Torii (gateway at the entrance)and stone walls

杖突街道

Fujisawa Valley
Hometowns of Masons
Tiny trip to enjoy rural scenes
and stone statues

Katakura

Furuyashiki
Matsukura

Arai

IyazakiAramachi

ShiokuNames of places on
Tsuetsuki-kaido(Japanese old highway)
Hometowns of Takato Masons

Midogaito

Mizukami

AramachiDaitonoKitabara
Tsuetsuki Kaido passing to

KuritaChino from Takato is called as“Ishiku Kaido” (masons

Yokkaichiba

highway), because masons

Kurosawa

appeared one after another inthis area. Stone god images andNakajoBuddha statues engraved by
Takato Masons are placed

Shiokueverywhere in Miroku,

Nakamura

Aramachi, Midogaito and
Katakura as well as in Shioku

Nozasawhere there was the home of

ShindenMoriya Sadaji.

Kurihaba“Batoson” monument with old characters

Itayama

MirokuMatobaMidogaito

Dosojin (stone god monument)
decorated with ornate characters
Dosojin monument decorated with ornate characters (see the index (7) in P. 20) is quite unique,and the characters consists of 3 characters “Do” , “So” and “Jin” from top to bottom.
The characters look like 3 smiled faces or 3 monkeys in a Japanese old saying.

Attracted by Takato Masons
I’ m very attracted by works of Takato Masons. Along with Tsuetsuki-kaido heading
Tsuetsuki Pass from Takato Town, stone Buddha statues are scattered by village streets
and the highway, as well as in the premises of shrines and temples. I hear that each of

Koshin monument built in 1680
(Unique Shoumen Kongo naked to the waist is engraved.)

Takato Masons went around the country as a traveling mason and created a lot ofminute stone statues with high honesty, deep faith and sophisticated techniques.
Thinking that works of individual mason have been maintained around the country in
the long history, I again want to learn the culture and history of individual folks
having walked around the country as masons.
I like “Dosojin” monument with humorous ornate characters in Shioku Community,
the deformed stone statue of cat in Kawabe Community and “Bato Kannon”
monument with image of lovely horse in Hachiman-Jinja Shrine of Daitono.
Takashi Shirotori, Mayor, Ina City

Stone statues and monuments in front of Suwa Jinja Shrine in Midogaito

9

Tsuetsuki Kaido (Midogaito)

Ruins of Shioku Assembly House, “Dosojin”
with ornate characters placed here

10

長谷

Entsu-ji
TempleIchinose

Two stone statues made by Sadaji are placed.

Emmei Jizo Dai-bosatsu(made by Moriya Sadaji in 1820s)

Utsugi
Yakushi-doYour mind
will become peacefulin front of this statue.
Kanzeon Bosatsu(made by Moriya Sadaji in 1800s)
Bato Kannon, one of 33 Kannon statues

Saigoku 33 Kannon statues (line drawing, made by Shibuya Tobei in 1845)

Chokyu-ji
TempleUra

Village of Masons,Heart of the Minami-AlpsHase

The area from Takato to the upstreams of the Mibu River and the Yamamuro
River is called “Irinoya” , and many masons appeared in this area as well as
Takato. In Entsu-ji Temple of Ichinose, two stone statues made by Sadaji areplaced.
In Utsugi Yakushi-do ahead of a narrow mountain path, Saigoku (western
provinces) 33 Kannon statues (line drawing) made by Shibuya Tobei are placed.
In Chokyu-ji Temple of Ura Community, where fleeing samurai soldiers of
Heike strengths settled in the past, Saigoku 33 Kannon statues (twenty several
statues made by Tobei) are also placed.
Saigoku 33 Kannon statues

11

One of twenty several stone statues
made by Shibuya Tobei

12Edo-jo Castle

Brand in Edo Period,
Masons Popular across theCountry

Takato Ishiku

The stone wall work of Edo-jo Castle started in 1606 and completed through thegenerations of the Shoguns Ieyasu, Hidetada and Iemitsu. The actual work was made by
Daimyo (feudal lords) in the western domains. In 1611, the work for Nishinomaru-bori(moat around the second citadel) was started by Daimyo in the eastern domains.
Description of participation of Takato Masons is found in the record.
The description in “Shinpen Musashino Fudokiko” (topography of Musashino Province,
new version) says “In the past, many masons transferred to Ina Village (Akiruno City,
Tokyo) from Ina Country, Shinano Province. … They transferred in 1590 and worked forconstruction of stone wall for Edo-jo” .
The description in “Chiyoda-ku History Volume 1” says “The lord Hoshina Masamitsu in
Takato Domain took charge of the work for Nishimaru-bori” .
Nishinomaru is corresponding to the current area of the center of the Imperial Palace.
Photo: Around Ote-mon Gate (the main gate) with the bridge Niju-bashi

Ishiku (mason) is called as Ishidaiku (stone carpenter), Ishikiri (stone cutter), Ishiya (stone seller), Sekisho (stone master) or Ishishi (stone worker)
in the past. The works of mason include cutting stone from a mountain, building stone wall, and engraving Buddha statues, monuments andshrine gates. Expert mason with sophisticated techniques is artist, but masons in Edo-Period thought themselves as craftsmen.
Takato Masons were popular not only in Shinano (Nagano Prefecture) but also in neighboring provinces and Kanto and Tohoku areas. Takato
Masons include masons born in the center town of Takato and ones born in surrounding villages and communities.
Most of Takato Masons were born in Fujisawa/Osafuji or Irinoya, and some were born in the downstream villages (downstream of the Mibu
River).
Activities of Takato Masons were recorded in the Middle Ages, but became active near the end of the 17th century and reached a peak at around
1800.
Every mason was a highly paid worker, and his salary was determined as 1-bu by gold for 8
days and 1-ryo by gold for 32 days. Business tax as high as 1-kammon a year from a mason
would be very helpful to poor Takato Domain.
Most of the masons went work to Gumma Prefecture, and some went to Yamanashi, Gifu,
Kanagawa Prefectures and other to Kanto and Tohoku areas. The farthest areas of Takato
Masons’ works are Aomori and Yamaguchi Prefectures.
By Hiromoto Takeiri“Shinagawa-ura Hodai (battery)” at Odaiba
Threatened by the arrival of Matthew Perry, Edo Bakufu (shogunate) built 6
batteries off Shinagawa. Two batteries, the third and the sixth, are remaining
there today. (Photo: the third battery)A historical document describes that 100 Takato Masons worked for theconstruction at Odaiba off Shinagawa Shore.

Takato Masons alongwith Folk Religion
Takato Mason is the generic name ofmasons associated with Takato, who madestone works such as god images and Buddha
statues respected by people as familiar
foundations of religion. Takato Masons
succeeded in 18 prefectures including a
metropolis. A historical document wrotethat the masons worked for construction ofstone walls for batteries at Odaiba.

Footprints of Takato Masons
18 prefectures including a
metropolis

Blue Stone under the Castle
Takato blue stone, the favorite of Moriya Sadaji, consists of fine green crystals and is hard todeteriorate with weather. It was produced under the main gate of Takato-jo Castle, around theconfluence of the Mibu River and the Fujisawa River, and under the present Mibu-kawa Ohashi(bridge). This stone was generally called as “Shiroshita-no Aoishi” (blue stone under the castle).
However the layer of the stone was narrow and laid under the bottom of the Mibu River so that
production of the stone was restricted.
All of ruins of quarry for the stone in the Edo Period were lost now. Arrows of about 6cm wide
(wedge to cut stone) were used for cutting stone in the Edo Period, but only a piece of arrow with a
3cm-wide Arrow Hole was found several years ago (missing now).
Other several quarries have been found recent years, but production of each quarry was restricted
and not more than “Shiroshita-no Aoishi” .
Takio Kitahara, Stonemason Kitahara

Nagano, Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Kanagawa,Tokyo, Niigata, Fukushima, Yamagata,
Aomori, Gunma, Tochigi, Saitama,
Ibaraki, Aichi, Gifu, Mie,
Hyogo, Yamaguchi

Traveling Masons
Takato Domain under severe fiscal conditions promoted people going work away, and Takato
Masons went around the country as “Traveling Mason” to help finance of the domain by creatingstone works.
At least 1300 masons worked around the country.

13Blue stone cut with Arrow Hole (today)

Quarry of blue stone(Takio Kitahara, under Mibu-kawa Ohashi)

Tools for Takato Mason(kept in the home of Koeno Kiroku (mason) in Komagane City)14

美篶
88 Kannon Statues in Kanisawa(reservoir; Kasahara, Misuzu)

Replica of the principal image in each of Shikoku
Hachijuhachi-kasho Reijo (88 sacred temples in Shikoku Area),
known as “Ohenro-san” (pilgrims to the sacred temples), is placed
at once.
88 statues are fully preserved here. Lovely Yakushi-nyorai holding
a gallipot and statues made by Shibuya Tobei are highlighted.

Takato Domain created this reservoir to reclaim Rokudo-hara(wasteland), having drawn water from the Fujisawa River. The
canal of about 10km long from the river was called as“IchiBan-i” (the first canal). Scenery around the canal is
known to be beautiful.

Other Hometowns
Misuzu②①

o f Ta k a t o M a s o n s
Tera②

In Tera and Misuzu

In Tera area, many rural

areas with rural

scenes are preserved andscenery, many Takato“scenery with stone

Masons appeared,

Buddha statues” istoo. In Shimokawate

respected even now.

of Misuzu,

Walking around “88

Hokyoin-to (stone

Kannon in Kanisawa”

tower, Tosen-ji

statues (see the index (8)Temple) and a stonein P. 20) and “Hyakutai

Buddha statue(hundred) Koshin”②Hyakutai Koshin in winter (Noguchi, Tera)(Shimo-Kawate

monuments is③Ruin of Somyo-ji Temple (Yatsude, Tera)

community center),both made of Takato
blue stone byhome-grown Shibuya
Tobei are preserved.
In Minamiwari,

15

③

④

①Hokyoin-to made of Takato blue stone

recommended. In the(made by Shibuya Tobei in 1827)

ruins of Somyo-ji Temple②Kyarada-san Jizo-son by Shibuya Tobei

in Yatsude, Emmei Jizo(in 1829, Shimokawate community center)③Jizo-son by Shibuya Tobei( “Minamiwari-no Roku-jizo (6 Jizo statues)” , in 1817)④Minamiwari-no Roku-jizo

手良Rokudo-no Tsutsumi①Heartwarming Yakushi-nyorai with①

④Hokyoin-to (Memorial sevice in 1737)⑤Emmei Jizo by

bulbous nose⑤

Mukaiyama Juzaemon④③

statue made by
Mukaiyama Juzaemon andbeautiful Hokyoin-to

lovely Jizo statue(stone tower) decorated

made by Tobei willwith flower relieves arewelcome you.

preserved.

16

富県

Main Hall, Gokoku-zenji Temple(Naka-Tonojima)
In Gokoku-zenji Temple and Kokyu-ji Temple, many stone
Buddha statues engraved by Ogasawara Masahei, Shimodaira
Bunzaemon and Tazaemon are placed.

東春近

Stone Buddha Statues
HigashiHaruchika

⑤

④

①

Kubota-no Dosojin
Twin Dosojin monument on the root of“Neagari-no Matsu” (pine tree)

Scattered in Rural Scenery
Tomigata④①

Tomigata is an old rural area neighboring to
Takato and affluent with wonderful scenes. Jizoson

Higashi-Haruchika is the countrysidestatue made by Shibuya Tobei is placed in Kanjo-ji

extended over the right side of the Tenryu

Temple of Sakurai, Saigoku 33 Kannon statues

River, and scattered with stone statues⑥

made by Takato Masons in temples, huts

(made by Tobei) are in the entrance of Kimpo-ji
Temple, and stone statues are in Yakushi-do of

and cemeteries. Particularly in Kokyu-ji

②

Hane.

Temple and Gokoku-zenji Temple inNaka-Tonojima, a lot of stone Buddha③

statues made by Ogasawara Masahei,②

On the root of “Neagari-no Matsu” (pine tree) by
the golf course in Niiyama, you can see twin

ShimodairaDosojin monument (mason unknown) called

Bunzaemon and Tazaemon are placed.

⑦“Kubota-no Dosojin” .

Stone statues are found in the backyard ofan old temple in Shimo-Tonojima, Twin⑤

Dosojin monument (made by Masahei,tangible cultural asset of Ina City) is by(Saigoku 33 Kannon statues in the entrance of Kimpo-ji Temple)②Saigoku 33 Kannon statues in the entrance of Kimpo-ji Temple

Tsuchikura Community Center, and Juntei
Kannon statue (made by Masahei, tangible
cultural asset of Ina City) is in Yakushi-anof Tahara.

③①Nyoirin Kannon made by Shibuya Tobei③Stone Buddha statues in Kanjo-ji Temple①Jizoson made by Ogasawara Masahei(made in 1858, Gokoku-Zenji Temple)②③Kannon Statues with common features in face and clothes(made by Shimodaira Bunzaemon, Kokyu-ji Temple)⑤Stone statues in the backyard of an old temple⑥Twin Dosojin in Tennosha shrine(made in 1838, by Tsuchikura Community Center)⑦Stone statues in Yakushi-an of Tahara(on a hill in Sakurai, Tomigata)④Jizoson in Kanjo-ji Temple(made in 1805, work of Shibuya Tobei at the early stage)⑤6 Jizo statues in front of Yakushi-do of Hane (made in around 1822)④Stone monument in the backyard of an old Temple (made by Masahei)1718Major Stone Statues in Ina City

Chronological Table of Successful Takato Masons together with Famines and Disasters
In the Edo Period, people were suffering from natural disasters such as famines, floods and eruptions as well as diseases such as smallpox. The Tenryu River flooded

In Ina City with rural scenes and mountain views, stone statues and monuments including Dosojin and Bato Kannon are found everywhere.

more than 90 times in about 270 years of the Edo Period. Flood occurred almost every third year. At least 79 times of harvest failure due to natural disaster were

Along with highways and roads in the Edo Period such as Ina Kaido, Kasuga Kaido, Akiha Kaido and Habiro-michi, you can see a lot of scenes

recorded in Kami-ina area. Harvest failure was almost twice in 9 years. Many of stone Buddha statues and other stone monuments were built as symbols for faith soof stone statues and monuments with the Minami-Alps or the Chuo-Alps in the background.

Sadaji-butsu(Sadaji’ s Buddha statue)
in Akagi (Bato Kanzeon)

Stone Buddha Statuesin Hoon-ji Temple(Nishi-Haruchika)

Bato Kanzeon statue made by Moriya

By the approach to Hoon-ji Temple,

Sadaji is placed at the entrance of Sakai

many stone statues are placed

family’ s tomb by the Route 153 at theincluding Juichi-men (11-face)boundary with Miyada Village. It is

Kannon made by Moriya Sadaji andone of Saigoku 33 Kannon statues

Senju (thousand-hand) Kannon madescattered around the village.

by Aruga Tsuruzo. You can also enjoy

that they have been maintained carefully.

Chronological Table of Takato Masons in Edo Period（Lord of Takato Domain） Hoshina
Tensho1586

Keicho
1600

Torii

Kanei

Naito

Genroku
1688

Sam-mon (the main gate).
Bato Kanzeon statue made by Moriya Sadaji(at the entrance of Sakai family's tomb, 1803)

Stone statues by the approach to Hoon-ji(Juichi-men (11-face) Kannon made by Moriya Sadaji in 1801 at far right side)

Byakui (white clothes)
Kannon by Akiha Kaido(highway in Edo Period)(Nakao, Hase)

Sakashita-no Tsuji (intersection),Starting Milestone for
Habiro-michi (road to Habiro)
Cho-seki (milestone) is placed every 1-cho (about 109m)
on Habiro-michi (road to Habiro) connecting the starting

By Akiha Kaido in Nakao, Byakui
Kannon statue is placed on a big
natural stone. The Kaido, overlooking

point Sakashita and Chusen-ji Temple in Habiro. This the
Cho Kannon(Kannon statue as milestone)road to the temple known
as a temple of horse for

the Mibu River, is quite calm there.

going to worship

There are many stone works left inaccompanying a horse.

Nakao, including unique Dosojin
monument made by a round stone in
Shimo-nakao.
Byakui Kannon (small road sign of Akiha Kaido by the statue)

Sakashita-no Tsuji (starting point of Habiro-michi with Cho Kannon)

Workbook of Moriya Sadaji (1831)
Moriya Sadaji is the best mason in Takato Masons, having engraved a lotof excellent stone Buddha statues. His workbook “Sekibutsu Bosatsu
Zaiku” (workbook for stone Buddha statues) describes that he made 336
statues. Investigation of stone statues made by Sadaji around the country
recently showed a progress based on this workbook, and his works havebeen respected as outstanding cultural assets.
Sadaji respected the famous priest Ganou Osho as his teacher and madehis works many in the temples belonging to his group “Myoshinji-ha,
Workbook of Sadaji: “Sekibutsu Bosatsu Zaiku”(workbook for stone Buddha statues)
Owned by Motohiro Moriya, stored in Takato Historical Museum

19

Rinzai Sect” .

Temmei1781（Birth and Death of Major Masons）
Mukaiyama Juzaemon（Around 1690～1773）

Kansei

Bunka
1804

Bunsei

Tempo
1830

Ansei

Keio

Meiji
1868

Moriya Sadaji（1765～1832）
Shibuya Tobei（1784～1853）

Moriya Sadashichi（Around 1700～1782）

Ogasawara Masahei（1796～1861）
Basho（1644～1694）

Visited Ina in 1858

Enku
（1632～1695）

Mokujiki（1718～1810）

Inoue Seigetsu（1822？～1887）

Sakamoto Tenzan（1745～1803）

Saino-kawara Jizo and Kosodate Jizo
made by Ogasawara Masahei around

Kyoho（Disasters and Famines） Great Famine in Kanei
Great Flood

Mino-mansui
Ino-mansui

Great Famine Great Famine
in Kyoho
in Temmei

Inunomansui

Okamura Kikuso（1800～1885）
Great Famine in Tempo

Great Eruption of Mt. Asama (1783)
Torino-mansui

Miushino-mansui

Tenryu River ﬂooded more than 90 times in the Edo Period

Index◆①Kempuku-ji Temple
Temple belonging to Myoshin-ji Group in Rinzai Sect, founded in 1600s. Restored in
1579 as a terminal temple of Myoshin-ji Temple, Kyoto. Family temple for Takeda familyand Hoshina family. There is a tomb believed as one for the mother of Takeda Katsuyori(Madam Suwa). There are also two tombs of Hoshina Masanao (the first lord) andHoshina Masamitsu (the second lord).
The temple has a lot of treasures including a painting (designated as an Important
Cultural Asset) by Kano Koui and stone statues by Takato Masons.
◆②Saigoku 33 Kanzeon Bosatsu Statues (by Moriya Sadaji)
One of masterworks by Sadaji. These statues are the replicas of the principal image in eachof 33 sacred temples in the western provinces. You can enjoy 33 Kannon statues made byblue stone of Takato in sight. You will be overwhelmed by amazement of wonderfulengraving techniques and noble spirits. These statues, made in Late Edo Period, are placedin 3 houses on the left side of the stairs on the approach.
Tour of Saigoku (western provinces) 33 Sacred Temples is the tour to 33 sacred temples in
the Kinki Province and Gifu Prefecture. This tour, having a history of over a thousand
years, is the pioneer of tours to sacred temples with Kannon statue in Japan. Saigoku 33
Kanzeon Bosatsu are the batch of replicas of the principal image in each temple to makethe tour at one place as the belief in Kannon.
◆③Keisen-in Temple
The original temple was “Hodo-in” Temple placed within Takato Castle and memorialservice was held at the time of fall of the castle by attack of Oda military strengths. The
temple was later transferred to the foot of Mt. Gatsuzou and the name was changed into
the current name.
The bell, stolen and drawn from Kaizen-ji Temple in Iida by Oda Nobutada at the time of
the attack, is used as the bell of the temple. It is designated as a treasure of Nagano
Prefecture. There is also a hall of memorial tablet for Nishina Goro Morinobu in thepremises.
◆④Juntei Kannon Statue
Juntei Kannon is a type of Kanzeon Bosatsu and the symbol of motherhood. She is said tobe the mother of Buddha. Many of Juntei Kannon Bosatsu Statues have 18 hands and 3eyes. The main hands are formed into “Seppou-in” and “Semui-in” . She has weapons, arosary and a lotus flower. She preaches to atone for crimes, to accomplish all good acts andto obtain cleanliness of mind. People generally worship this Kannon for pregnancy andeasy delivery.

◆⑤Fudo-myouoh Statue
Fudo-myouoh is called as Fudo-son, too. The meaning is a still guardian. He is Myouohin ethoteric Buddhism, who is the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai, and has an angry lookand waving hair. He is said to be living in the area of flames “Kasho Zammai” of heaven.
Fudo-myouoh is the main Buddha statue in Shugen-do Buddhism. People generally
worship this Fudo-myouoh for recovery from disease, family safety and success inbusiness.
◆⑥Kofuku-ji Temple
This temple was founded in 745 and the oldest in Takato. When a priest Gyoki Osho
visited Takato, the idea of gallipot flashed across his mind on the look of a stone of strange
shape. Then he built a hall and engraved Yakushi Nyorai statue as the main Buddha
statue. He opened a school for “Hosso” and “Sanron” there. The temple was burned bymilitary strengths of Oda Nobunaga in 1582. The present hall was rebuilt in 1823. The
characters of the name of this temple were changed at the time.
◆⑦Dosojin Monument
Dosojin is a god by road and Dosojin monuments made by stone are placed on theboundaries of villages and intersections of roads. Many Dosojin monuments are found on
intersections of roads around the country as the symbol for fortune and prosperity ofdescendants. Many of Dosojin monuments without characters consist of twin gods (maleand female).
◆⑧88 Kannon Statues in Kanisawa
These statues are the replicas of the principal image in each of Shikoku
Hachijuhachi-kasho Reijo (88 sacred temples in Shikoku Area), known as “Ohenro-san”(pilgrims to the sacred temples). 88 statues are all at once there. They were made in the
Edo Period, but the local residents restored in recent years. Missing 2 statues were foundat the time. Many of the statues are Yakushi-nyorai who relieves us from diseases. Lovely
Yakushi-nyorai holding a gallipot and Kannon are included in the statues.

･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････
Inquiry on tour of stone works in Takato:
The Incorporated Association of Takato Masons Research Center
Phone: 090-8683-9604 (Kumagai)

20

153

Inashinmachi

General Map
for Tour of Stone Statues
in Ina and Takato

Chino
City

TatsunoTown

19↑Chino City

Detailed Map
for Tour of Stone Statues
around Takato

羽場

伊北
I.C.

442

Suwa-jinja Shrine（P9～10）

沢Detailed Map
for Tour of Stone Statues
around Takato

153

203

MinowaTown

Inamatsushima

Kinoshita88

Kitatono

87

Tabata361

Sakashita-no Tsuji (intersection)
（P19）
443

202

31

19

15

361

18

Ina City Oﬃce
26

Kokyu-ji Temple（P17）
Shimojima

21

Gokoku-zenji Temple（P17）
Twin-god Dosojin
Monument（P17）

25

Bato Kannon Statue
by Sadaji
（P19）

30

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Entsu-ji Temple（P11～12）

12

Yakushi-do in
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Coin Laundry

文

Hase JuniorHigh School
Hase Branch,
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community center（P15） ↓Takato

Tomigata

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文 Tomigata

Elementary School

27

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26

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●

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o

22

●

361

Hase Elementary School
文

id↓Tahara20

Nyuyama Portal● Kasahara

●

152

Ka

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Stone statues
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Shimokawate ●15

Higashi-Haruchika
文 Elementary School
21

JA InaMisuzu Tera

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Chokyu-ji Temple（P11～12）

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6 Jizo Statues in
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49

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Hyakutai (hundred)
Koshin Monuments（P16）→ Tomigata

18

Tagiri18

Ina Valley
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Lake

↑Tera

AmericanDrug Store

Kanisawa● House← Sawando

Komagane
City

Inafukuoka

21

11

152
210

49

17

↓Kasahara

Komagane153

88 Kannon
Statues（P16）

Tera Elementary
School

uR

Ina
City

Fudo-myouoh in Katsuma（P6）MisuzuSmall Guide
Board

NaganoPrefecture

152

Shirayama Tunnel
Takato High School

28

3●Takato Sakura Hotel

文

Tera

211

Obara

Fire Station●

209

Tera Elementary
SchoolOotagiri

Takato Lake

Takato Elementary School3

MiyadaKomachiya

文

文

Komagane
I.C.

Juntei Kannon in Keisen-in Temple

Mibu River

Fudo-myouoh in Katsuma（P6）Neagari-no Matsu (pine tree)/ Dosojin Monument（P18）

Yakushi-an ofTahara（P17）

Keisen-inTemple（P5）6

Takato Castle Site Park
152

2

Takato Castle Site Park

Nijuniya-sama (22nd night) Statue（P8）Keisen-in Temple（P5）2Takato Park〒

→ Takato

Akagi

24

5

Ina
City

Kimpo-ji
Temple（P18）

18

29

209

1

152

Post Oﬃce
JR Takato Bus stop
●
361

←Ina

Stone statues in backyardof an old temple
（P17）

153

Hoon-ji
Temple（P19）

MiyadaVillage

22

6

Takato JuniorHigh School

Takato Branch,
Ina City Oﬃce

1

Yakushi-do of Hane（P18）

27

23

River

210

20

SawandoKofuku-ji Temple（P7）Kanjo-ji Temple（P18）4885Kempuku-ji Temple（P3～4）

5

文

Kempuku-ji Temple（P3～4）

←Ina

Mibu

209

Ruin of Soton-ji Temple（P8）

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Temple（P8）16Takato-kita Elementary School

5211

6 Jizo in
Minamiwari（P15）

文

Azuki-zaka Tunnel

152

207

Shimo-Kawate
community center（P15）

Inashi8

7

17

Hyakutai (hundred) Koshin（P16）

Inakita7

9

Kofuku-ji Temple（P7）

19

Line

153

Iida

Ina
I.C.

Kibune-Jinja Shrine（P9～10）

Dosojin (stone god monument) decorated
with ornate characters in Shioku（P10）

Dosojin (stone god monument) decorated
with ornate characters in Shioku（P10）

18

9
8

88 Kannon Statues（P16）

Ruin of Somyo-ji Temple（P16）

Minamiminowa 426
Village476

203

Kibune-Jinja Shrine（P9～10）

19“Batoson”monument with oldcharacters in Aramachi（P9～10）

490

10

“Batoson”monument with old characters in Aramachi（P9～10）

153

Suwa-jinja Shrine（P9～10）

10Entsu-ji Temple（P11～12）

Irinoya●11

Bungui-toge (pass)1222

88 Kannon statues in Kanisawa