There is a sacred rock (iwakura) with a shimenawa wrapped around it. This is an important object to Shinto followers and is seen as a yorishiro (approach substitute); something that can attract and temporarily house the kami. In front of it people have made offerings of mini torii to Inari. Next to the altar, is a pedestal that holds another stone that you directly contact. The heavy stone (omokaru-ishi) is thematically present all over Asia in slightly different forms. Here, you lift the stone ball from its resting place and if it feels lighter than your ego, you will lead a lucky life. Most use two hands, but I required one to operate the camera. ;) |
We then traveled again by train to reach Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for its 400 foot long hall, awesome Indian-style gold Buddha, and 1000 other Buddha statues. It's said that if one looks long enough, one will find a statue that looks like him. Needless to say, I do not concur.