Jūroku Rakan Iwa

The Jūroku Rakan Iwa (十六羅漢岩) or "Sixteen Rakan Rocks" is a monument to the local fishermen in Yuza, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Carved from volcanic rock by a Buddhist monk between 1864 and 1868, there are in total twenty-two figures: the Sixteen Arhats along with Shakyamuni, Manjusri, Fugen and his consort, Avalokitesvara, and the Sarira. A little to the south of the carvings is Dewa Futami, or the Wedded rocks of Dewa Province.[1][2]

Jūroku Rakan Iwa

The Jūroku Rakan Iwa are among the 100 Fishing Village Heritage Sites sponsored by the National Association of Fisheries and endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.[3][4]

There is an annual ceremony in late July, when the sculptures are illuminated at night.[5]

See also

• Japanese sculpture
• Arhat
• Sixteen Arhats
• Fukura Station

References

1. "Jūroku Rakan Iwa - Dewa Futami". Yuza Town. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
2. "Jūroku Rakan Iwa". Yuza Town. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
3. "100 Select Monuments of the History of Fishing to be Preserved for the Future". National Association of Fisheries. Archived from the original on 9 July 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
4. "Press Release - 17 February 2006" (PDF). Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
5. "Jūroku Rakan Iwa" (PDF). National Association of Fisheries. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2012.

External links

• (in Japanese) 100 Select Monuments of the History of Fishing