Many legends were passed from generation to generation on Koya-san. One of them is related to the pond photographed here called Hasu-ike, located right near Garan, the Koya-san central temple complex.
It is known that a harsh drought, that lasted for 15 years, hit this region at the end of the 18th century.
The legend says that the drought ended only after a shrine dedicated to Zennyo Ryuo, a rain-god dragon of the Japanese mythology, was built on the island in the middle of this pond.
The rain-god was chosen because it was connected to Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Koya-san temples, who once successfully invoked him and brought rain at a contest held at the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
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Yesterday’s Japan Photo:Zuisho-ji, Tokyo |
