地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Kumano Magaibutsu

These stunning bas-reliefs of Buddhist deities are some of the largest cliff-face carvings in Japan. The figure on the upper right is of Dainichi Nyorai, sometimes called the Cosmic Buddha, and measures some 6.8 meters in height. It was probably carved in the tenth or eleventh century by an accomplished sculptor who had worked in Nara and in Japan’s capital of Kyoto. Three mandalas can be seen carved in the rock over its head. The figure on the left is Fudo Myo-o, a deity associated with prayers for safety and health. It is the larger of these two reliefs at 8 meters, and is thought to have been carved in the twelfth century. Most depictions of this deity show a more ferocious figure, and the mild expression here is a rarity. Both of these images are powerful icons of Esoteric Buddhism, in which paradise is achieved through arduous practice and secret teachings. (According to legend, the uneven pattern of the stone steps leading up to these carvings is the creation of an ogre in a rush to build them overnight in return for a promised meal of human flesh.)

熊野磨崖佛

這些傑出的淺浮雕佛像，被日本指定為「重要文化財」，屬於日本國內最古老且最大型的磨崖佛。右上方的佛像為大日如來，也被稱作掌管宇宙的佛陀，高約6.7公尺。據推測，應是出自於奈良及日本昔日首都京都的優秀雕刻家之手，製作於10世紀或11世紀。如果仔細觀察，可見佛像頭部上雕有三個曼荼羅。左側佛像為不動明王，深受世人崇敬，可保佑眾生安全及健康。不動明王的尺寸在兩尊浮雕中較大，高達8公尺，據推測可能完成於12世紀。許多不動明王像的表情都形塑得猙獰恐怖，這裡卻面容祥和，甚為少見。兩尊浮雕均是密教的象徵，該教的教義認為需經過苦行與秘密教誨，方能抵達極樂淨土。（這段登上磨崖佛的石階凹凸不平，傳說是出自妖怪之手，牠们迫不及待想獲得商議好的人肉報酬，因此僅鋪設一晚便草草了事。）

熊野磨崖佛

此处优秀的浅浮雕佛像，被指定为国家“重要文化财”，属于日本国内最悠久且最宏大的磨崖佛。右上方的佛像高约6.7米，形象为被称作掌管宇宙的佛陀——大日如来。据推测，应是出自于奈良及日本旧时首都京都的杰出雕刻家之手，且在10世纪或11世纪制作。如果细心观察，可见佛像头部上雕有三个曼荼罗。左侧佛像为不动明王，备受世人尊崇，可保佑众生平安康泰。不动明王的尺寸在两尊浮雕中较大，高达8米，据推测可能完成于12世纪。许多不动明王像的表情都形塑得狰狞骇人，这里却面容祥和，相当罕见。两尊浮雕均是密教的象征，该教的教义认为需实践苦行，遵守秘传教诲，方能抵达极乐净土。（这段登上磨崖佛的石阶凹凸不平，传说是出自妖怪之手，它们迫不及待想获得商议好的人肉报酬，因此仅铺设一晚便敷衍了事。）