Jūroku Rakan Iwa

Jūroku Rakan Iwa

The Jūroku Rakan Iwa (十六羅漢岩) or "Sixteen Rakan Rocks" is a monument to the local fishermen in Yuza, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Carved from volcanic rock by a Buddhist monk between 1864 and 1868, there are in total twenty-two figures: the Sixteen Arhats along with Shakyamuni, Manjusri, Fugen and his consort, Avalokitesvara, and the Sarira. A little to the south of the carvings is Dewa Futami, or the Wedded rocks of Dewa Province.[1][2]

The Jūroku Rakan Iwa are among the 100 Fishing Village Heritage Sites sponsored by the National Association of Fisheries and endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.[3][4]

There is an annual ceremony in late July, when the sculptures are illuminated at night.[5]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jūroku Rakan Iwa.

References

  1. ^ "Jūroku Rakan Iwa - Dewa Futami". Yuza Town. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Jūroku Rakan Iwa". Yuza Town. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  3. ^ "100 Select Monuments of the History of Fishing to be Preserved for the Future". National Association of Fisheries. Archived from the original on 9 July 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Press Release - 17 February 2006" (PDF). Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  5. ^ "Jūroku Rakan Iwa" (PDF). National Association of Fisheries. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2012.

39°4′24″N 139°52′5″E / 39.07333°N 139.86806°E / 39.07333; 139.86806