Kukurizaka Stone (Aomori Prefecture) [Famous Japanese Stones]

KUGURIZAKA Stone

Kukurizaka Stone

This stone is mined near Kugurizaka in Aomori Prefecture.
The name of this place has a story behind it, and it is recorded in the travelogue of Sugae Masumi dated July 7, 1788 (Tenmei 8), and it was named "Kugurizaka" because when passing through here, one had to crawl through between large rocks.
Oshu, where Kugurizaka is located and faces Mutsu Bay, is a historic place that appears in the Azuma Kagami (Mirror of the Adzuma) from the Kamakura period and is also known as the site of the Oshu War.
The local Inari Shrine is the guardian deity of Kugurizaka, and as herring fishing was popular here, many water-related gods are enshrined here, including Benzaiten, who prays for safe shipping and bountiful catches.

This stone is mined near Kugorizaka in Aomori Prefecture.
The name of this place has a story behind it, and is recorded in the Sugae Masumi Travelogue in July 7, 1788. It was named "Kugurizaka" (means wicket in Japanese) because people had to slip between large rocks when passing through here. Oshu where Kugurizaka is located and faces Mutsu Bay, is a historic place that appears in the Azuma Kagami from the Kurama period, and is also know as the site of the Battle of Oshu. The guardian deity of Kugurizaka is the local Inari Shine and as the fishing of herring was thriving here, many water related deities are enshrined here, such as Benten, who prays for safety at sea and good catch.