Have you heard the tale of the wandering bones? It’s a story deeply rooted in the history of this very spot, where the \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093\uff08\u6c60\u7530\uff09 Statue now stands.
Long ago, the area around the \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093\uff08\u6c60\u7530\uff09 Statue was divided into three villages. These villages were Ikeda-naka, Ikeda-gawa and Ikeda-shimo. Each village revered \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093 as a deity of bountiful harvests. This \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093\uff08\u6c60\u7530\uff09 Statue embodies that ancient belief.
The story begins with Mattaro, brother of Prince Shotoku, who oversaw levee construction here. He patrolled the area on a bull. Villagers deeply respected this bull. Sadly, it died. Its remains were divided among the three Ikeda villages. Each village enshrined its portion. These enshrines became the \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093 of each village. So, in essence, this statue marks a place of agricultural and historical importance.
Now, let’s focus on the \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093\uff08\u6c60\u7530\uff09 of Ikeda-shimo. Originally, it stood near the border of Ikeda and Daito. In 1933, it was moved to its current location near Kita-Daitocho 1-chome plaza. This \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093\uff08\u6c60\u7530\uff09 has the inscription “Oushi-jinja” on its south side.
There’s even a unique local custom tied to this statue. Every year on May 5th, the villagers would parade a decorated bull. They fed it sake and adorned it with kirishima azalea flowers. This vibrant display was part of a pilgrimage to the \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093.
Another tradition existed in Ikeda-gawa village. On May 5th, villagers threw beans. They threw beans at passersby including brides. The roads turned white with beans and villagers used about 150 kilograms of beans for the event.
The \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093\uff08\u6c60\u7530\uff09 near Ikeda Kindergarten is carefully maintained. Local families take turns managing it each year. It is believed this ensures longevity.
Though times have changed, and farming practices have evolved, the spirit of \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093 lives on. The tradition of honoring \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093 has been passed down through generations. While the tractors replaced bulls, the villagers continue to honor \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093.
So, as you stand before the \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093\uff08\u6c60\u7530\uff09 Statue, remember the bull. Think about the beans. Consider the levee. It symbolizes the enduring connection between the people and the land. It is a reminder of the traditions that bind the community together. It embodies the hopes for a plentiful harvest. The \u91ce\u795e\u3055\u3093\uff08\u6c60\u7530\uff09 Statue stands as a guardian of those values.