Tokurayama-koen Park

Tokurayama-koen Park is located in a region where Mount Tokura (Nagano Prefecture) is worshipped as a god of horses and cows. It is thus home to many Bato Kannon statues, large and small. Mount Tokura was strongly worshipped particularly in Hokuto City, where many horse appraisers and veterinarians lived. According to legend, Takeda Shingen enshrined the horses that died in the Battle of Koarama in this location, although it is also said that no such battle actually took place.
Many stone objects are found in the park. At the entrance stands a Bato Kannon with a fierce expression on its face. It is a typical Bato Kannon in contrast to the Bato Kannon along Bomichi Road that has a kind face. In front and center of the entrance is a monument of Kodama Daijin (“Kodama-san”) dedicated to the silkworm god, although sericulture is not a major industry in Hokuto City and is rarely seen. The stairs at the entrance have narrow lines etched in them according to a stone hand-carving method called “Kodataki.” They serve to prevent slipping on the stairs.

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