About
The Dosojin standing in front of the community hall in Nanokaichiba, Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Prefecture, is a natural andesite stone with a diameter of 110 centimeters and a height of 95 centimeters, and is known as one of the largest round stone Dosojin in the prefecture. (digi-ken.org) This round stone was created by nature over a long period of time, and its smooth surface is proof that it has received the prayers of people as time has passed.
Dosojin have been enshrined at village borders and crossroads, worshipped as gods who ensure the safety of travelers, ward off epidemics, and bring prosperity to descendants. Especially in Yamanashi Prefecture, there are many Dosojin whose sacred bodies are round stones, with more than 700 such locations. (tamash.blog110.fc2.com) Among them, the Dosojin of Nanokaichiba is particularly large, and it is said that many visitors come from outside the prefecture to see it.
Every year on January 14th, during the Little New Year, a traditional event called "Dondo-yaki" is held. In this region, instead of building a straw hut, the festival is celebrated in a unique way by decorating the sacred round stone with branches of evergreen trees. (digi-ken.org) With the blazing flames, people can be seen praying for good health and a bountiful harvest.
Next to the Dosojin, there is also a stone monument dedicated to the Silkworm Shadow God, the deity of prosperous sericulture. (digi-ken.org) In the past, sericulture was thriving in this region, and it is evident that faith in the Silkworm Shadow God was strong. In this way, the sight of the Dosojin and the Silkworm Shadow God being enshrined side by side tells the story of the region's history and culture.
The Dosojin of Nanokaichiba is not just a stone, but a spiritual support for the local people, and a presence that conveys history and tradition to the present day. Its quiet appearance gives visitors a deep sense of emotion and evokes the scenery of good old Japan.