Okuno-in Cemetery is a huge Buddhist cemetery, the largest in Japan. This
forest cemetery on the east side of the city contains over 200,000 stupas or
stone tombs.
The main entrance is at the west end of the cemetery on the outskirts of town.
The main path through the cemetery leads two kilometers to the Mausoleum of
Kobo-daishi, where Kukai is buried. His mausoleum is in the spiritual heart of
the cemetery.
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Entrance to the cemetery.
The cemetery is the largest in Japan and contains some 200,000 graves of
all shapes, sizes and eras.
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It is located at an altitude of 800 meters and is established in a
wood of century-old cryptomerias (cedars).
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Stone lantern (Toro).
Stone lanterns (Chinese: denglong; Japanese: toro, meaning
'light basket', 'light tower') are a type of traditional East Asian
lantern made of stone, wood, or metal.
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Originating in China, stone lanterns spread to Japan, Korea and
Vietnam, though they are most commonly found in both China – extant in
Buddhist temples and traditional Chinese gardens – and Japan.
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In Japan, toro were originally used only in Buddhist temples,
where they lined and illuminated paths. Lit lanterns were then
considered an offering to Buddha.
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Their use in Shinto shrines and also private homes started during the
Heian period (794–1185).
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See more at
Stone lantern - Wikipedia.
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Hall of Heroes (Eireiden).
The Eireiden, located in the middle of the approach to Okuno-in, was
created in 1952 to hold a memorial service for the ones who were lost
during World War II.
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Qilin.
The qilin is a legendary hooved chimerical creature that appears in
Chinese mythology, and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or
passing of a sage or illustrious ruler.
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Qilin are a specific type of the lin mythological family of one-horned
beasts. The qilin also appears in the mythologies of other cultures.
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Japanese art tends to depict the kirin as more deer-like than in
Chinese art. Alternatively, it is depicted as a dragon shaped like a
deer, but with an ox's tail instead of a lion's tail. They are also
often portrayed as partially unicorn-like in appearance, but with a
backwards curving horn.
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See more at
Qilin - Wikipedia.
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O-kesho Jizo Buddha.
Jizo serve in Buddhism as protective figures, often linked to
cemeteries. Jizo means "lost babies" or miscarriages.
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Common to Okuno-in and cemeteries across Japan, these are statues of
Ojizo Sama, also called Jizo for short. Often with smiling faces and
round cheeks, these colorfully-dressed figures might look cheerful,
but there’s a heartbreaking story behind each stone statue.
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Parents in Japan turn to Ojizo Sama when they fear the worst or when
the worst has already happened. If a child is seriously ill, a Jizo
statue can be a way to make offerings for their protection. When a
baby dies, or a family experiences miscarriage or stillbirth, it’s a
comfort to believe that the little red-robed figures can help protect
their spirit in the afterlife.
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Kaga Maeda Family Graveyard of Toshinaga II.
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Grave of Asano Family of Aki Province.
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Mausoleums of Matsudaira Hideyasu and his Mother.
These mausoleums were erected for Matsudaira Hideyasu (1574-1607) and
for Hideyasu's mother by Hideyasu's son Matsudaira Tadanao (1595-1650)
at the age of 13. Every part of these buildings is made of stone.
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Tombstones of the Toyotomi Family.
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Bridge of the Mausoleum (Gobyo-bashi).
This bridge is the final bridge along the way to Okuno-in's inner shrine
after crossing the Ichino Bridge and the Nakano Bridge.
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On the Tamagawa River that flows from the sacred Mount Yoryu, behind
the shrine of Okuno-in, a stupa is erected to redeem the spirits of
anyone who has perished due to a water disaster.
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This is also the place of tradition where the fish was skewered and
grilled but Kobo Daishi resurrected and set it free.
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After crossing this bridge, one enters the sacred area consecrated to
Kobo Daishi, which it is important to enter after straightening one's
attire for worship.
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It is said that the 36 slats in the bridge together with the bridge
itself represent the 37 deities of the Diamond Realm.
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Mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (Kobo Daishi Gobyo).
At the end of the graveyard, Kobo Daishi abides in his mausoleum in his
meditation, focusing on liberating all beings.
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The legend says that Kukai never died, but obtained Nirvana and
remains silent, meditating eternally on Mount Koya.
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Water field (Mizugyojo).
Black bodhisattva statues beside the bridge leading to the Okuno-in and
Lantern Hall on Mount Koya.
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Just before crossing the bridge pilgrims wash their hands, say wishes,
and splash water on the Buddhist statues.
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Hall for the Fire Ritual (Goma-do).
The homa (goma) ritual of consecrated fire is found in some Buddhist
traditions of Tibet, China and Japan.
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Its roots are the Vedic ritual, it evokes Buddhist deities, and is
performed by qualified Buddhist priests.
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In some Buddhist homa traditions, such as in Japan, the central deity
invoked in this ritual is usually Acalanatha (Fudo Myoo, lit.
immovable wisdom king).
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Acalanatha is another name for the god Rudra in the Vedic tradition,
for Vajrapani or Chakdor in Tibetan traditions, and of Sotshirvani in
Siberia.
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The Acala Homa ritual procedure follows the same Vedic protocols found
in Hinduism, with offerings into the fire by priests who recite
mantras being the main part of the ritual and the devotees clap hands
as different rounds of hymns have been recited.
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In most Shingon temples, this ritual is performed daily in the morning
or the afternoon, and is a requirement for all acharyas to
learn this ritual upon entering the priesthood.
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See more at
Homa (ritual) - Wikipedia.
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Mound for the People of No Relatives (Muenzuka).
This mound of statues for the forgotten dead is known as the Muenzuka,
the "Mound of the Forgotten Dead."
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The Japanese refer to these individuals as muenbotoke, which
literally means buddhas with no (known) relations.
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"Hotoke" is the Japanese for "Buddha," but it is also used generally
for anyone who has died.
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See also
Source
Location
