Bussokuseki 仏足石

Official explanation

Direct representations of Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha and founder of Buddhism, were taboo until around the first century CE. His image was considered too sacred to be portrayed in art. Instead, a sense of his presence was often conveyed in the form of bussokuseki—stone slabs bearing his footprints. Bussokuseki were among the earliest ways to represent the Buddha and can be found throughout Asia.

Kosanji Temple’s bussokuseki was carved in the Edo period (1603–1867). The footprints are engraved with various Buddhist symbols. These include a lucky double-fish mark, an indestructible mallet of power, and also a thousand-spoked wheel, which represents the historical Buddha, his teachings, and the path to enlightenment.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.