“Large hill” or “large slope”. That is the meaning of Osaka. Here at \u6c34\u5451\u5730\u8535\u5c0a you can overlook a wide area of the Osaka Plain.
\u6c34\u5451\u5730\u8535\u5c0a is a Jizo hall. It is located in Osaka Prefecture. More precisely it is in Katano City. Commonly it is known as Mizuno Jizo.
This hall is positioned about eight-tenths of the way up the Thirteen Mountains. You can reach it by ascending the Thirteen Highway. The main hall juts out from the slope. To its north stands a bell tower. A small hall with the Kobo water sits to the south.
Inside the main hall is a stone Jizo Bodhisattva statue. It is called Mizuno Jizo. Legend says it was placed here in 836 by the monk Shukuin. The current Jizo Bodhisattva statue was created in 1694.
South of the main hall, clear water gushes from a water basin in a small hall. This is known as Kobo water. Kobo Daishi is another name for Kukai. Legend says that Kukai prayed for this sacred water. It was for travelers crossing the Thirteen Mountains. This water is said to help with foot ailments. People still visit to collect the sacred water.
From \u6c34\u5451\u5730\u8535\u5c0a the Osaka Prefectural Citizen’s Forest Mizuno Orchard spreads out. Along the old road from the Kamiwaki Jizo in Hirakata. There are 33 locations with 66 Jizo statues placed at regular intervals.
Tai閤 Hideyoshi built Osaka Castle. At that time people moved from Kuboji Temple in Yao. They brought their beloved Jizo to the border. This border was between Kuboji Temple town and Funakawa town. This is now the south side of the current location.
During the Showa era the hall was lost in the Great Osaka Air Raid. After the war it was rebuilt. It was rebuilt to comfort those who died in the air raid. The hall was rebuilt in its current location. Memorial services continue to be held. Every year on August 23rd and 24th a grand Jizo festival takes place.
From \u6c34\u5451\u5730\u8535\u5c0a you gain not only a scenic view. You gain a sense of history and peace. It is a place where tradition and faith meet the eye.