Artifacts Excavated at the Summit of Mt. Nantai
Many types of artifacts have been found on the peak of Mt. Nantai, including swords, pottery, and mirrors. In 1877, the zoologist Edward S. Morse (1838–1925) visited Lake Chuzenji on an expedition to search for mollusks. After several hours without success, he climbed Mt. Nantai and discovered coins, spearheads, sword blades, and bundles of hair at the shrine on the summit.
The Three Primary Deities of Nikko
In this painting from 1313, Mt. Taro, Mt. Nyoho, and Mt. Nantai are depicted in the form of Shinto kami. The three mountains are believed to be deities with both Buddhist and Shinto identities. Large statues depicting the deities in their Buddhist identities are enshrined in the Sanbutsudo at Rinnoji Temple.
Left |
Center |
Right |
|
Mountain |
Mt. Taro |
Mt. Nyoho | Mt. Nantai |
Shinto identity |
Tagorihime no Mikoto |
||
Buddhist identity |
Amida Nyorai | Senju Kannon |
Birds at Kegon Falls
Asian house martins (Delichon dasypus) come to the area around Kegon Falls during the summer. This particular image is from the Nikkosanshi, a five-volume guide to Nikko published in 1837. The guide covers topography, geography, history, and festivals, and includes color illustrations of birds and vegetation as well as poetry related to the “eight picturesque sights of Nikko.”
View of Senjogahara Marshland
This ink drawing of Senjogahara Marshland is also from the Nikkosanshi. Two small figures in the bottom center are crossing the large marshland and are headed toward Yumoto Onsen, with Mt. Shirane in the distance on the far left.
Kegon Falls
This is Kegon Falls as it appeared in the late Edo period (1603–1867). The Daiya River flows eastward out of Lake Chuzenji and plunges 97 meters at Kegon Falls. Kegon Falls is thought to have been discovered by Shodo Shonin (735–817) during his exploration of the area in the eighth century. It is one of the five falls in Kegon Valley that are named for the five divisions of the historical Buddha’s teachings.
Lake Chuzenji, Province of Shimotsuke
This illustration of Lake Chuzenji is from the series One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858). Hiroshige was a prolific ukiyo-e artist, well known for his collections of famous places and scenery. The former province of Shimotsuke is present-day Tochigi Prefecture. The figures appear to be on the path that leads to Mt. Nantai. In the water is the torii gate of Futarasan-Jinja Chugushi Shine, and Utagahama Beach can be seen on the opposite shore.