Nobuyuki Kushino stands in front of the Ao-no-domon Tunnel, pointing to a stone monument engraved with the tunnel’s name.
11:35 JST, September 14, 2024
NAKATSU, Oita — The 250th anniversary of the death of 18th-century Buddhist priest Zenkai was commemorated in late August near a tunnel he dug with a hammer and chisel in Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture.
After becoming a monk, Zenkai traveled through Japan and discovered that Nakatsu was an obstacle to travelers crossing Mount Kyoshuho. When he heard that many people and their horses had lost their lives falling from the mountain, he decided to dig a tunnel for a safe passage.
He hired masons, used money he had collected by asking for alms, and spent the next 30 years or so digging with them. The resulting tunnel, called Ao-no-domon (the Blue Cave), is about 343 meters long. Today it is a major tourist attraction in Nakatsu, attracting about 1 million visitors annually.
On August 24, the anniversary of Zenkai’s death, a local youth taiko drum group used their instruments to mimic the sound of hammers and chisels, drawing applause from a large audience. Another group organized a hike up the mountain, where participants could pay their respects to Zenkai’s great achievement.
The entire event was organized by a local group of volunteer guides.
Nobuyuki Kushino, 74, a member of the volunteer group, said: “I hope people will walk through the tunnel to follow in Zenkai’s footsteps and enjoy the great view of Mount Kyoshuho.”
