Cultural Assets－Sutra Mounds

Sutra mound #26. This mound is on the Odake Peak of Mount Nijo, which has been worshipped since ancient times as a holy mountain. The mound sits among sakaki trees, considered sacred trees in the Shinto religion. It is marked by an upright stone on top of a heap of natural stones. Next to the sutra mound is Katsuragi Futakami-jinja Shrine. To the south on Iwaya-toge Pass is a cave described in the Kawachi Meisho Zu-e illustrated guide from the early 19th century. According to the Shozan-engi—a record of Shugendo mountains compiled in the early Kamakura Period (late 12th century)—the sutra mound was here at this cave at Iwaya. It is believed to have been later transferred to Mount Nijo.