"Rinne no Wa" (The Wheel of Reincarnation)Author: Hidetoshi Shuto
The sculpture titled “Yamabayashi” depicts a Yamabayashi, a yokai said to play the music of kagura (a traditional Japanese sacred dance and music) in the mountains late at night.
The Kappa named Gataro, featured in the book “Kokyō Nanajūnen” (Seventy Years of My Hometown), written by the folklorist Kunio Yanagita from Fukusaki, is inspired by the Kappa from Komaga-iwa in Ichikawa. This book reflects on his childhood experiences in Tsujikawa, Fukusaki, and his life.
Gataro is the older brother of the Kappa siblings. He becomes immobilized when his dish dries out and is left stiff by the edge of the pond.
The younger brother of the Kappa siblings, Gajiro, stays in the pond and occasionally emerges from the water.
He pops up from beneath the surface at 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes every hour, between 9 AM and 6 PM.
What is Gajiro doing beneath the water’s surface? What secrets lie in the depths of the pond?
From a creepy hut built 3 meters above the ground, the door creaks open, and a Tengu flies out, upside down. In its hands, it holds its favorite treat, a mochimugi dorayaki (a type of sweet filled pancake).
It leaps from the hut at 9:05 AM to 6:05 PM, at the following times: 5 minutes, 20 minutes, 35 minutes, and 50 minutes past the hour.
The eerie and unexpected appearance of the upside-down Tengu, coupled with the delicious dorayaki, adds to the mystique and unsettling atmosphere of the scene. What is the Tengu’s connection to this strange hut, and why does it come out at these specific times?
One of the Yokai Benches scattered throughout Fukusaki Town is called “Aburasumashi”. Like the other yokai benches in the area, it is inspired by a specific yokai from Japanese folklore. These benches add a unique and eerie touch to the landscape, allowing visitors to engage with the stories and legends that are part of the local culture.
For those curious about more of these quirky benches, the other yokai benches are also introduced and can be explored, each offering a distinct experience tied to the supernatural folklore of Fukusaki Town.
Between 2014 and 2018, the National Yokai Sculpture Contest was held in Fukusaki Town, the birthplace of the folklorist Kunio Yanagita. The winning entries from the general category of the contest were showcased as large FRP statues at Tsujikawayama Park.
These statues, which represent the most outstanding works from the contest, are installed in the park, adding a unique and artistic touch to the area. Visitors can view these impressive sculptures, which bring to life the yokai (mythical creatures) that are central to Japanese folklore, and experience the connection between art, culture, and local history.
※Some of the Grand Prize-winning and Award-winning works are displayed at the Tsujikawa Tourism and Exchange Center.
1st Annual National Yokai Sculpture Contest
General Category Grand Prize Winner
The Tengu with sharp, glowing blue eyes watches over Tsujikawayama Park.
2nd Annual National Yokai Sculpture Contest
General Category Grand Prize Winner
The sculpture titled “Yama no Kami” (The Mountain God) features the deity that resides in the mountains, with a striking image of a child Kappa rushing towards it.
3rd Annual National Yokai Sculpture Contest
General Category Grand Prize Winner
The sculpture titled “Nue” features the Nue, a legendary creature in Japanese folklore with the face of a monkey, the body of a raccoon, the limbs of a tiger, and the tail of a snake.
4th Annual National Yokai Sculpture Contest
General Category Grand Prize Winner
The sculpture titled “Sunakake Baba” features the Sunakake Baba, a notorious yokai from Japanese folklore. Known for her frightening behavior of scattering sand to intimidate people, this piece depicts her approaching a high school girl from behind, adding an element of suspense and terror.
The sculpture titled “Yamabayashi” depicts a Yamabayashi, a yokai said to play the music of kagura (a traditional Japanese sacred dance and music) in the mountains late at night.
▼Transportation Access
■By Car
Exit at “Fukusaki IC” via the Chugoku Expressway or Bantan Renraku Road, head west on the Miki-Shiso Prefectural Route. At the “Tajiri” intersection, veer slightly to the right, then turn right at Hirano Hospital. Drive straight for approximately 100 meters to reach the “Tsujikawa Area Parking Lot.”
※Enter “Mochimugi no Yakata” into your car navigation system to reach the vicinity.
※If the Tsujikawa Area Parking Lot is full, please use the Mochimugi no Yakata Parking Lot, the No. 1 Ground Parking Lot, or the Tsujikawa Tourism Exchange Center Parking Lot.
» Tsujikawa Area Parking Lot and Surrounding Parking Map(JP)
■By Train
Get off at JR Fukusaki Station, then take a taxi for approximately 10 minutes.
