“An offering for the departed souls.” That’s what crosses my mind as I stand before the \u7b39\u4e18\u306e\u304a\u306b\u304e\u308a\u5730\u8535\uff08\u98e2\u4eba\u5730\u8535\uff09.
This unassuming wayside shrine holds a somber tale. It speaks of a time when hunger stalked the land. It marks a tragedy that the people of Fukuoka have not forgotten. We are standing at the \u7b39\u4e18\u306e\u304a\u306b\u304e\u308a\u5730\u8535\uff08\u98e2\u4eba\u5730\u8535\uff09, a memorial to the victims of the Great Kyoho Famine.
Let me paint you a picture of the Edo period. Specifically, picture 1732. A relentless famine gripped western Japan. Fields withered due to insect plagues. This led to widespread starvation. The Kuroda clan, who then ruled this region, suffered terribly. Almost a third of their population perished.
Imagine the desperation. People streaming into Hakata hoping for salvation. Many of them never made it. They collapsed on the roads. They died within sight of food. The \u7b39\u4e18\u306e\u304a\u306b\u304e\u308a\u5730\u8535\uff08\u98e2\u4eba\u5730\u8535\uff09 was erected to appease the souls of those who died during the famine.
Initially, there were only six Jizo statues here. Jizo Bosatsu are bodhisattvas who are believed to help people achieve enlightenment. Over time, the number of statues increased. People came to pray for various reasons. Local residents maintain the site to this day.
Look closely. The Jizo statues represent the transformations of the Bodhisattva. The transformations occurred while helping people in the six realms of existence. These realms include hell, hunger, animality, anger, humanity, and heaven.
The Great Kyoho Famine lasted three years. Crop failures were followed by disease. Hakata transformed into something resembling hell. The Kuroda clan tried to alleviate suffering. They borrowed money to buy rice. They distributed rice to the starving masses. However, the scale of the disaster was overwhelming.
Even now, incense and flowers are offered here daily. See the blackening around the statues. This is a testament to the constant prayers of the people of Hakata. They remember those who suffered. They honor their memory at the \u7b39\u4e18\u306e\u304a\u306b\u304e\u308a\u5730\u8535\uff08\u98e2\u4eba\u5730\u8535\uff09.
The \u7b39\u4e18\u306e\u304a\u306b\u304e\u308a\u5730\u8535\uff08\u98e2\u4eba\u5730\u8535\uff09 serves as a reminder. It reminds us of the fragility of life. It reminds us of the importance of compassion. It stands as a silent testament to a tragedy. It shows how communities can come together in remembrance.