#24_Folktale 'The Tsuzuki-ishi and the Crying Stone'

Once upon a time.

In Yamaguchi, Ayaori, there is a Tsuzuki-ishi (stacked stone), and on top of two six-shaku (approx. 1.8m) pedestal stones placed side by side,
there was a massive stone about one and a half ken (approx. 2.7m) wide and five ken (approx. 9m) long.

It is said that people could walk underneath it as if it were a torii gate.
The story goes that Benkei built it long ago, and when he was doing that work,
he carried the stone on his back and placed it on top of what is now the pedestal stone, the Crying Stone.

Then, that Crying Stone, despite being a stone of high status, cried all night long,
lamenting how miserable it was to be stuck under another stone for all eternity.

Hearing this, Benkei said, 'In that case, I shall use a different stone as the pedestal,'
and he put his foot on that stone and lifted it up. Then he placed it on top of the current pedestal stone.

At that time, a small depression was formed between the Tsuzuki-ishi and the Crying Stone.
They say that is Benkei's footprint.

Also, the name 'Crying Stone' was given at that time,
and it is said that even now, it stands beside the Tsuzuki-ishi, dripping tears like droplets.
And so the story ends.

[Tono Monogatari Shui, Episode 11] Transcription of the oral tale

As for the Tsuzuki-ishi, on top of one of the two stones placed side by side,
a giant boulder about 7 meters wide, 5 meters deep, and 2 meters thick
rests as a capstone in exquisite balance.

Please be careful of bears when you visit.