Monument to Enmei Jizo, Rinnoji Temple 延命地蔵

Official explanation

This large rock dedicated to the deity Enmei Jizo is believed to have been carved by the founder of Rinnoji Temple, Shodo Shonin (735–817). It was originally located on the shores of Yunoko Lake deep in the mountains. It is also known as the Dog-Pulling Jizo.

According to legend, Itabashi Shogen, a Muromachi period (1336-1573) feudal lord, went out hunting near the lake and mocked the Jizo when he passed by, tying his hunting dog to it and casting them into the lake. At first, the dog pulled the rock towards the center of the lake, but then the rock began to pull the dog back towards the shore. Suddenly a terrible thunderstorm broke out, and the dog was killed.

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Shogen and his retainer fell to the ground, blood spilling from their mouths. A monk came running and knelt in prayer to the Jizo, and the two were saved. They became fervent believers in the Jizo, and the monument came to be called the Dog-Pulling Jizo.

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.