{"id":3142,"date":"2014-07-08T23:47:31","date_gmt":"2014-07-08T14:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/?p=3142"},"modified":"2023-07-23T11:26:11","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T02:26:11","slug":"the-birth-of-chikubushima","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/the-birth-of-chikubushima\/","title":{"rendered":"The Birth of Chikubushima"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Updated: May 21, 2023<\/em>, audio track added<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although Shiga has many local legends and folktales, only a few are nationally famous. And fewer still are in English. So I&#8217;ve started writing English versions of some of Shiga Prefecture&#8217;s legends and folktales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One problem is that these stories usually have different sources, versions, interpretations, and adaptations in Japanese. Instead of trying to decide which is the original or better version and translating it, I&#8217;ve created my own adaptation in English based on the basic storyline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My first Shiga folktale in English I&#8217;m putting online perhaps&nbsp;matches the current rainy season. Enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Birth of Chikubushima<\/strong><br>\u7af9\u751f\u5cf6\u304c\u3067\u304d\u305f\u304a\u8a71<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">by Philbert Ono, based on an old folktale.<br>\uff08\u97f3\u58f0\u4ed8\u304d\uff09<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0020.jpg\" alt=\"High and proud Mt. Ibuki.\" class=\"wp-image-8394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0020.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0020-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0020-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">High and proud Mt. Ibuki.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>*Audio version (5 min.) of this story is now available! Click the play button below. \uff08\u97f3\u58f0\u3067\u805e\u3051\u307e\u3059\u3002\uff09<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Birth-of-ChikubushimaAudioVer2s.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once upon a time in northern Omi, the great Mount Ibuki-yama stood high and proud. He&nbsp;was the god <em>Tatamihiko<\/em> (\u591a\u3005\u7f8e\u6bd4\u53e4\u547d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every day, Ibuki-yama would boast, &#8220;Ha! Look at me, I am the highest mountain in all of Omi! Whichever way I look, all the other mountains are below me!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the other mountains were often covered with clouds and rain and beaten by the wind, Ibuki-yama stood high and clear above the clouds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But one summer, the clouds were so thick and high that they also covered Ibuki-yama. All the mountains were hidden by dark clouds and rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With nothing to do, Ibuki-yama decided to sleep. He went into a deep slumber for days. &#8220;Zzzzz&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After many long days of clouds and rain, the big, blue sky appeared once again. Ibuki-yama awoke and exclaimed, &#8220;Wonderful! It&#8217;s sunny today!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He started to look in all directions with a big smile on his face, seeing all the mountains lower than him. In the south, there was Ryozen, a big but lower mountain. Even when he looked west, far across the lake at the Hira mountains, none were higher.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0021.jpg\" alt=\"Azai-dake was higher...\" class=\"wp-image-8395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0021.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0021-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0021-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Azai-dake was higher&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But when he looked north, &#8220;Whoa, what is that??!!&#8221; It was an unbelievable sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing correctly. But he still couldn&#8217;t believe it. There was a mountain higher than Ibuki-yama!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He angrily called out, &#8220;Hey you there! Aren&#8217;t you Azai-dake?!!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Yes uncle, it&#8217;s me, Azai-dake.&#8221; Mount Azai-dake was the goddess <em>Azai-hime<\/em> (\u6d45\u4e95\u6bd4\u58f2\u547d). Azai-dake was actually related to Ibuki-yama because they belonged to the same mountain range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;How dare you grow taller than me while I was asleep! You must return to your original height at once!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;What?? Are you kidding me? I can become taller if I want to!!&#8221; Azai-dake was defiant like a rebellious teenager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter how Ibuki-yama looked at Azai-dake, she still looked taller than him. He kept bellowing, &#8220;Lower yourself!&#8221; or&nbsp;&#8220;Become shorter!&#8221; But Azai-dake only ignored him and didn&#8217;t even bother to answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, Ibuki-yama could not stand it anymore. He drew out a large sword and yelled, <strong>&#8220;Ei OHHH!!!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"309\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/chikubushimalegend.jpg\" alt=\"chikubushimalegend\" class=\"wp-image-3143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/chikubushimalegend.jpg 450w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/chikubushimalegend-150x103.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ibuki-yama cut off Azai-dake&#8217;s head!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Azai-dake shrieked, <strong>&#8220;Hii-EEE!!!&#8221;<\/strong> Ibuki-yama swung the sword in one quick stroke and cleanly cut off Azai-dake&#8217;s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"8396\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0022.jpg\" alt=\"Azai-dake's head falling toward Lake Biwa!\" class=\"wp-image-8396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0022.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0022-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0022-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Azai-dake&#8217;s head falling toward Lake Biwa!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"8397\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0023.jpg\" alt=\"GORO-GORO-GORO\" class=\"wp-image-8397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0023.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0023-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0023-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Azai-dake&#8217;s head falls and tumbles to Lake Biwa! <strong>GORO-GORO-GORO!!!<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her head tumbled down the west side of the mountain. All the neighboring mountains were shocked to see the rolling head, especially nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/displayimage.php?album=115&amp;pid=44683\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Odani-yama<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/displayimage.php?album=726&amp;pid=52494\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yamamoto-yama<\/a> when the head passed by. &#8220;Oh my GOD, what happened to you??!!&#8221; The Azai-dake peak kept rolling, <strong>GORO-GORO-GORO!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"8398\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0024.jpg\" alt=\"King of Lake Biwa\" class=\"wp-image-8398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0024.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0024-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0024-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"8399\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0025.jpg\" alt=\"lake fish swimming quickly\" class=\"wp-image-8399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0025.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0025-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0025-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Evacuate to Takashima!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">The King of Lake Biwa, <em>Biwako O-namazu<\/em> catfish, orders everyone to swim to safety toward Takashima.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile in Lake Biwa, all the fish were also frightened by the big rumbling sound becoming louder and louder. The King of Lake Biwa, <em>Biwako O-namazu<\/em> (\u30d3\u30ef\u30b3\u30aa\u30aa\u30ca\u30de\u30ba), ordered, &#8220;Hurry everyone! Swim away toward Takashima as quickly as you can!&#8221; Takashima was on the opposite shore&nbsp;of the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"8400\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0026.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0026.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0026-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0026-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>BA-SHAAAAN!!!<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"8401\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0027.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0027.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0027-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0027-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Tsubu-tsubu-zubu<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Azai-dake&#8217;s head (peak) splashes into the lake and makes <strong><em>Tsubu-tsubu-zubu<\/em><\/strong> sounds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some moments later, <strong>BA-SHAAAAN!!! ZA-BUUUN!!!<\/strong> Azai-dake&#8217;s head splashed into Lake Biwa. It rolled through the lake and left a muddy, brown trail in the blue water. At the same time, monster waves rippled across the entire lake and even sloshed against the white sands of <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=28\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Omi-Maiko<\/a>. The green pine trees on the white beach almost drowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Azai-dake&#8217;s head finally stopped in the middle of northern Lake Biwa. The top part of the head stuck out from the water and became a small island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since Azai-dake&#8217;s head made bubbly sounds like <strong><em>Tsubu-tsubu-zubu<\/em><\/strong> when it went through&nbsp;the water, the island was named &#8220;Tsububushima&#8221; (\u90fd\u5e03\u592b\u5cf6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"8402\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0028.jpg\" alt=\"Chikubushima\" class=\"wp-image-8402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0028.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0028-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0028-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Bamboo Birth Island&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"8403\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0029.jpg\" alt=\"Chikubushima underwater \" class=\"wp-image-8403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0029.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0029-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Chikubushima-0029-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Underwater cliffs habitat for fish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Chikubushima gave birth to new life and habitats&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the water became calm and clear again, King Biwako O-namazu, who was a <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/displayimage.php?album=118&amp;pid=54846\">Lake Biwa Giant Catfish<\/a>, inspected Tsububushima underwater. &#8220;This is a great place for fish to live! This <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/WKvSP9zmnb8?t=9m11s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">steep and rocky underwater habitat<\/a> is perfect.&#8221; Many happy fish like <em>funa<\/em> carp, catfish, and eels then started living around Tsububushima. Bamboo also started growing on the island, making it green. The island was then renamed &#8220;Chikubushima&#8221; (\u7af9\u751f\u5cf6), meaning &#8220;Bamboo Birth Island.&#8221; Although Azai-dake died, she brought forth new life and new habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ancient people living around <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Lake_Biwa\">Lake Biwa<\/a> thousands of years ago made <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/displayimage.php?album=32&amp;pid=1870\">dugout canoes<\/a> and rowed from Nagahama to Chikubushima. Even then, they must have felt something sacred and divine about the island. From the 5th century, they started to build shrines and temples on the island to worship the goddess Azai-hime and other gods. After all, the island was once Azai-dake. And Mount Ibuki lived happily ever after, knowing that he was Omi&#8217;s highest mountain without question. <strong>THE END<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"311\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/20210131_5449p.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/20210131_5449p.jpg 900w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/20210131_5449p-800x276.jpg 800w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/20210131_5449p-150x52.jpg 150w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/20210131_5449p-768x265.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mt. Kanakuso and Mt. Ibuki as seen from Lake Biwa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=112\">Mt. Ibuki<\/a>&nbsp;(\u4f0a\u5439\u5c71) is Shiga&#8217;s highest mountain in <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Maibara,_Shiga\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maibara<\/a> at 1,377 meters. Azai-dake is Mt. Kanakuso-dake (\u91d1\u7cde\u5cb3) in <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/txt\/Nagahama,_Shiga\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nagahama<\/a>,&nbsp;northwest of Mt. Ibuki. It is Shiga&#8217;s second highest mountain at 1,317 meters and part of the Ibuki mountain range.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"386\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/bi206-IMG_1619a.jpg\" alt=\"Chikubushima\" class=\"wp-image-7514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/bi206-IMG_1619a.jpg 500w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/bi206-IMG_1619a-150x116.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chikubushima (Click on image to see more photos.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chikubushima<\/a> has a circumference of 2 km. If we add Chikubushima&#8217;s 197-meter height to Kanakuso-dake&#8217;s height, Kanakuso-dake would indeed be higher than Mt. Ibuki.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Chikubushima is home to <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hogonji Temple<\/a> first built in 724 as ordered by the emperor to worship Benzaiten, the goddess of everything that flows: Water, rivers, music, etc. Belonging to the Shingon Buddhist Sect (Buzan School), Hogonji is one of Japan&#8217;s three major spots&nbsp;worshipping Benzaiten (other two being <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=240\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Itsukushima Shrine<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=74\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Enoshima Shrine<\/a>). <a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/displayimage.php?album=18&amp;pid=2697\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tsukubushima Shrine<\/a> also worships Benzaiten as well as the Dragon God and Azai-hime.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Many famous samurai, such as&nbsp;Oda Nobunaga and the Azai Clan, worshipped at Chikubushima since they believed Benzaiten had the power to destroy their enemies.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/photoguide.jp\/pix\/thumbnails.php?album=18\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"495\" height=\"249\" src=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/IMG_1872.jpg\" alt=\"Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki\" class=\"wp-image-3146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/IMG_1872.jpg 495w, https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/IMG_1872-150x75.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki as seen from Imazu,&nbsp;Takashima.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Chikubushima is easily accessible by boat operating daily from <a href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MWsOx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nagahama Port<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/K4P3V\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hikone Port<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/P644z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Imazu Port.<\/a><\/em> Boat schedule for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biwakokisen.co.jp\/basic\/index-tikubu-jikokuhyou.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nagahama and Imazu Ports here<\/a> and for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ohmitetudo.co.jp\/marine\/index.php\/line-tour\/chikubushimameguri.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hikone Port here<\/a> (in Japanese).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">* This English story is my adaptation of the original Japanese folktale, not an exact translation. This means certain parts of this story are figments of my own imagination. The original folktale appears in the <em>Omi-no-Kuni Fudoki<\/em> (\u8fd1\u6c5f\u56fd\u98a8\u571f\u8a18) ancient chronicles of Omi Province (Shiga Prefecture).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*Audio narration created with AI with <a href=\"https:\/\/beta.elevenlabs.io\/\">elevenlabs.io<\/a>. Sound effects from <a href=\"https:\/\/freesound.org\/\">Freesound<\/a>. AI-generated images created with <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bing.com\/create\" target=\"_blank\">Bing Image Creator.<\/a><br>* Major reference: \u300c\u8fd1\u6c5f\u306e\u6614\u3082\u306e\u304c\u305f\u308a\u300d\u702c\u5ddd\u6b23\u4e00\u3001\u30b5\u30f3\u30e9\u30a4\u30ba\u51fa\u72481999\u5e74<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\uff0a\u3088\u3044\u5b50\u306e\u307f\u306a\u3055\u3093\u3001\u5203\u7269\u3067\u4eba\u306e\u9996\u3092\u5207\u308b\u307e\u306d\u3092\u3057\u306a\u3044\u3067\u306d\u3002\u53d4\u7236\u3068\u59ea\u3082\u4ef2\u826f\u304f\u3057\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002<br>\uff0a\u3053\u306e\u300c\u7af9\u751f\u5cf6\u304c\u3067\u304d\u305f\u304a\u8a71\u300d\u306e\u82f1\u8a9e\u7248\u306f\u6b63\u78ba\u306a\u82f1\u8a33\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f\u3001\u30d5\u30a3\u30eb\u30d0\u30fc\u30c8\u306e\u6539\u4f5c\u3067\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated: May 21, 2023, audio track added Although Shiga has many local legends and folktales, only a few are nationally famous. And fewer still are in English. So I&#8217;ve started writing English versions of some of Shiga Prefecture&#8217;s legends and&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8396,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50,10,16,18,53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-popular","category-biwako","category-maibara","category-nagahama","category-shiga-legends-folktales"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3142"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8685,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3142\/revisions\/8685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}