25. Nissaka


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25. Nissaka from Tokaido Gojusantsugi by Hiroshige

Station #25: The Japanese believe that rocks can be the home of deities and spirits. The rock in the Nissaka print is Yonaki-Ishi (Nightly Weeping Rock). In the rock was the spirit of a woman slain by a thief. She was traveling from Nissaka to the neighboring Kanaya Station to meet her long absent husband. She was pregnant and a thief robbed and murdered her. The woman's blood fell on the rock and the rock became the abode for her spirit. Upon seeing this poor woman slain, Kannon, Goddess of Mercy, took pity on her and saved her baby. Kannon nursed the baby with mizuame (a sugar water fortified with malt that is still given to sickly babies in Japan). The baby was then entrusted to a priest of a nearby Kuon-ji Temple and grew up to be a brave youth. The youth took revenge on the thief. Since then, Kuonji Temple has become famous for the protection of women and infants.

Image Copyright: Minneapolis Institute of Art

 

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