Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Spooks and Earthquakes

Okinawan legend, Japanese sign, ghost

An Earthquake Shook the Island

 

 


There's a monument stone in Urasoe, we've been meaning to locate and, today was a good day.

As legend goes, this spot is protected from damaging quakes and, we had one yesterday.

No harm was done, to anyone, I know of; the thing was miles to our north.




Some Wicked Spirits

 

 

Years ago, folks traveling along the road from Urasoe to Shuri would get spooked.

A Buddhist monk carved some scripture on stones and, buried them here.

The ghoul or, whatever it was, soon disappeared  and the place became safe.

Even when big earthquakes occurred, the ground didn't shake at this position.


Kyozuka Monument, apple, orange, incense, stone, sake cup

We had a 6.0 quake 110 km above Nago, Okinawa yesterday.

This morning, there was an elderly woman at the Kyozuka Monument.

She, confirmed for me, this is the place to pray for safety from earthquakes.



Incense and offerings at stone monument


Looking closer, I observed sake cups, incense and fruit offerings at the site.

After asking if, it would be alright to take photos, the woman disappeared, along with her cat.


coin box for donations


Off to the right of the monument, is a coin box on a pole, for donations.

Many Buddhist places, have these boxes for coin deposits; I pretended I was low on cash.

Back in the professor's car, we had a tour brochure, I wanted to look at, for something.

Based upon the scriptures, the monk buried here, you're supposed to chant something.

Remember: "Chouchikachika" or, "chouchika, chouchika" is what to say.

It can protect you from evil spirits and strong earthquakes, too !


More About Cultural Properties of Urasoe, Okinawa

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