The Sessho-seki (殺生石, Sesshōseki), or "Killing Stone", is a stone in the volcanic mountains of Nasu, an area of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, that is famous for sulphurous hot springs. In Japanese mythology, the stone is said to kill anyone who comes into contact with it.[1] In Japan, rocks and large stones in areas where volcanic toxic gases are generated are often named Sessho-seki (殺生石), meaning Killing Stone, and the representative of such stones is this one associated with the legend of Tamamo-no-Mae and the nine-tailed fox.[2]
The stone is believed to be the transformed corpse of Tamamo-no-Mae, a beautiful woman who was exposed as a nine-tailed fox working for an evil daimyō plotting to kill Emperor Toba and take his throne. According to the otogi-zōshi, when the nine-tailed fox was killed by the famous warrior named Miura-no-suke, her body became the Sessho-seki. Later, a Buddhist priest called Genno stopped for a rest near the stone and was threatened by the spirit of Tamamo-no-Mae. Genno performed exorcism rituals and begged the spirit to consider her salvation. Tamamo-no-Mae relented and swore never to haunt the stone again.[2]
Split
Sessho-seki in May 2022
It was reported on March 5, 2022 that the stone had split into two parts, likely as a result of natural weathering. Some netizens expressed their fear of the exorcised Kitsune.[3] On 26 March 2022, the local government had priests host a ceremony to appease the spirit and pacify the beast at the site with prayers, offerings, and waving haraegushi upon the split rock.[4]
In literature
A Noh play about the stone, attributed to Hiyoshi Sa'ami.[5]
It was mentioned in Oku no Hosomichi by Matsuo Bashō as he visited the stone in the 17th century and tells of his visit in his book (Narrow Road to the Deep North).
Tamamo-no-Mae, a novel by Kido Okamoto, was based on the legend of the stone. A film adaptation, Kyuubi no Kitsune to Tobimaru (Sesshouseki) followed.
In chapter 123 of the manga Bakidou the author used the story of the rock breaking to show the kick power of one of the characters.
^McCurry, Justin (7 March 2022). "Japan's 'killing stone' splits in two, releasing superstitions amid the sulphur springs". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
^McGee, Oona (2022-03-28). "Mist descends upon Japan's "Killing Stone" after ceremony to appease nine-tailed fox spirit". Sora News 24. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
. Basho's World. Archived from the original on December 26, 2004. Retrieved February 23, 2006.
"Tamamo-no-mae (Synopsis)". Enjoying Otogi Zoshi with the Help of Synopsis and Illustrations. Archived from the original on July 10, 2006. Retrieved February 22, 2006.
This article relating to Japanese mythology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
sessho, seki, coordinates, 1016692, 9985806, 1016692, 9985806, 殺生石, sesshōseki, killing, stone, stone, volcanic, mountains, nasu, area, tochigi, prefecture, japan, that, famous, sulphurous, springs, japanese, mythology, stone, said, kill, anyone, comes, into, . Coordinates 37 06 06 N 139 59 55 E 37 1016692 N 139 9985806 E 37 1016692 139 9985806 The Sessho seki 殺生石 Sesshōseki or Killing Stone is a stone in the volcanic mountains of Nasu an area of Tochigi Prefecture Japan that is famous for sulphurous hot springs In Japanese mythology the stone is said to kill anyone who comes into contact with it 1 In Japan rocks and large stones in areas where volcanic toxic gases are generated are often named Sessho seki 殺生石 meaning Killing Stone and the representative of such stones is this one associated with the legend of Tamamo no Mae and the nine tailed fox 2 Sessho seki in 2016 Contents 1 Legend 2 Split 3 In literature 4 Gallery 5 ReferencesLegend EditThe stone is believed to be the transformed corpse of Tamamo no Mae a beautiful woman who was exposed as a nine tailed fox working for an evil daimyō plotting to kill Emperor Toba and take his throne According to the otogi zōshi when the nine tailed fox was killed by the famous warrior named Miura no suke her body became the Sessho seki Later a Buddhist priest called Genno stopped for a rest near the stone and was threatened by the spirit of Tamamo no Mae Genno performed exorcism rituals and begged the spirit to consider her salvation Tamamo no Mae relented and swore never to haunt the stone again 2 Split Edit Sessho seki in May 2022 It was reported on March 5 2022 that the stone had split into two parts likely as a result of natural weathering Some netizens expressed their fear of the exorcised Kitsune 3 On 26 March 2022 the local government had priests host a ceremony to appease the spirit and pacify the beast at the site with prayers offerings and waving haraegushi upon the split rock 4 In literature EditA Noh play about the stone attributed to Hiyoshi Sa ami 5 It was mentioned in Oku no Hosomichi by Matsuo Bashō as he visited the stone in the 17th century and tells of his visit in his book Narrow Road to the Deep North Tamamo no Mae a novel by Kido Okamoto was based on the legend of the stone A film adaptation Kyuubi no Kitsune to Tobimaru Sesshouseki followed In chapter 123 of the manga Bakidou the author used the story of the rock breaking to show the kick power of one of the characters Gallery Edit Entrance to the area A thousand Jizōs at the site Print by Toriyama Sekien Print by YoshitoshiReferences Edit 殺生石 真っ二つ 以前からひび 自然現象か 那須 社会 県内主要 下野新聞 SOON ニュース 下野新聞 SOON スーン 下野新聞 SOON in Japanese Retrieved 2022 03 06 a b Sessho seki Kotobank McCurry Justin 7 March 2022 Japan s killing stone splits in two releasing superstitions amid the sulphur springs The Guardian Retrieved 7 March 2022 McGee Oona 2022 03 28 Mist descends upon Japan s Killing Stone after ceremony to appease nine tailed fox spirit Sora News 24 Retrieved 2022 03 30 Sesshoseki play Sesshōseki 殺生石 Theatre Nohgaku Blog Retrieved September 11 2018 Station 9 Sesshoseki Basho s World Archived from the original on December 26 2004 Retrieved February 23 2006 Tamamo no mae Synopsis Enjoying Otogi Zoshi with the Help of Synopsis and Illustrations Archived from the original on July 10 2006 Retrieved February 22 2006 This article relating to Japanese mythology is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sessho seki amp oldid 1126063574, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
