Daikokuten-magaibutu(carved buddha)
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Daikokuten-magaibutu(carved buddha)
When proceeding from the hot spring town towards the Chigiwa area on Prefectural Route 128, you will come across "Oshidori Pond" (a reservoir dam). Along the circular walking path around the pond, there is a cliff-carved Buddha known as Daikokuten. Daikokuten, a deity derived from Esoteric Buddhism, was introduced to Japan and became a syncretic figure combining the Shinto deity Ōkuninushi and Buddhist elements. He is also known as one of the Seven Lucky Gods. It is said that the origin of his enshrinement dates back to Saichō (also known as Dengyō Daishi), who revered Daikokuten as the guardian deity of the kitchen at Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei. The figure of Daikokuten is carved deep within a massive rock crevice. The statue, depicted riding on a bale of rice with a small hammer in his right hand, stands at a height of 2.5 meters. On top of the statue, there are stacked enormous rocks that one must look up to see. Daikokuten is highly revered as a deity of commerce, and the imposing presence of the colossal rock attracts many visitors.