Tomikawa Magaibutsu Rock Carvings

Buddha carved into a granite cliff face in Shiga

Cathy Cawood Oct 28, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>You can take a bamboo staff to help you climb</p>

<p>The path was extremely rough in places</p>

<p>It was a wonderful surprise to discover the rock carvings!</p>

<p>Looking up at the Buddha from an extreme angle</p>

<p>There are smaller figures accompanying the Buddha</p>

<p>It doesn't seem right to throw unwanted sacred scrolls in the garbage, so there are places like this to leave them</p>

<p>The tiny structure at the foot of the cliff is hardly even a shed</p>

<p>This tiny shrine seems to be falling over</p>

I discovered this place completely by accident while cycling in Shiga Prefecture. I was riding along Highway 422, not too far from Shigaraki. I saw fishermen fly-fishing in the river near a bridge, but I also saw some people walking into the trees, so I turned off the road and parked my bicycle. After walking along a very rocky track for about ten minutes, I was rewarded by a remarkable discovery - a 6.3 meter Buddha carved into a granite rock face! According to a 14th century document the image was completed in 715, which would make it very old indeed.

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...