Kasagi-dera (Temple)

Overview

This ancient temple is said to have been founded in 682 CE (Hakuho 11) and serves as a sacred site of Shugendo, where mountain worship and megalith worship merged with Buddhism. The primary deity was once a Miroku Bosatsu (Maitreya Bodhisattva) Rock-carved Buddha carved into a massive rock approximately 15 meters high; however, the surface peeled away during the fires of the Genko War (1331 CE), leaving only the hollow of the halo today. The grounds feature a series of spots condensing Iwakura (sacred rock) worship, including unique rock formations such as 'Tainai-kuguri' (passing through the womb) and 'Ari-no-Towatari' (ant's crossing), the 'Yurugi-ishi' (rock of swaying) which holds legends of the Battle of Mount Kasagi, the 'Senju-kutsu' (Thousand-Hand Cave) believed to be a dragon's lair, and the Kokuzo Bosatsu Rock-carved Buddha.

Highlights

• ・Halo remains of the Miroku Rock-carved Buddha (approx. 15m high)
• ・Unique rock formations of Tainai-kuguri and Ari-no-Towatari
• ・Senju-kutsu (Dragon's lair)
• ・Yurugi-ishi (Legend of the Battle of Mount Kasagi)