There is all kind of celebration in Aso during the year. I particularly enjoy the ones that are more intimate because involving only a few locals keeping traditions alive. I went to Uchinomaki area this morning to see one of these celebrations.
Uchinomaki is a famous onsen village in Aso city that suffered the consequences of Kumamoto earthquake in 2016. At that time, many establishments really worried because the underground water wasn’t flowing anymore. This morning I went to a place called Shinmachi Yakushi-do, where I was able to see statues of deities protecting the area including one protecting onsen. It is said that Uchinomaki onsen recovered thanks to the prayers to Yakushi Nyorai.
This is the kind of place hard to notice if you don’t already know it and especially if you don’t read kanji. It is situated in the North-East part of Uchinomaki onsen, near a place called CLAMP (nice place organizing climbing and cycling events). You have to enter the alley to find a little room with tatami on the floor and many statues on display.
The one in the center is Yakushi Nyorai, the deity protecting the onsen. On both sides are the statues of the deity of the light of the sun and the deity of the light of the moon. You can notice on the pictures that there are many other statues on display, like one of Kobo-Daishi (also known as Kukai). On the right of the main display, you’ll also find a little statue that is supposed to bring you luck at the lottery!
The access to these sacred statues is possible every day of the year, but for this celebration day I was welcomed by locals. I also received a delicious sweet red bean soup (zenzai) and other sweets! It was also the first time I was able to drink some Amacha, a traditional sweet drink that were used to replace sugar in the past. As I said in the introduction, I really enjoy how Aso locals can be welcoming especially during these more intimate celebrations. It is always an occasion for me to learn a lot!
Franck.
