Kaname-ishi (The Keystone), Vol. 1: Chapter 6 - On the Ear Mound and the Collapse of the Gojo Stone Bridge
This is a record of the Kanbun-Omi/Wakasa earthquake that occurred in the northern Kinki region on May 1, Kanbun 2 (June 16, 1662). The author is Asai Ryoi, a writer of kana-zoshi. It provides a detailed account of the people in Kyoto, from the immediate aftermath of the earthquake to the aftershocks and their experiences in evacuation sites. The magazine can be found here →【 Kannin Mokui-shi (The Keystone)】
Chapter 6 conveys the state of the Ear Mound and the Gojo Stone Bridge.
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6. On the Ear Mound and the Collapse of the Gojo Stone Bridge
In the temple south of the Great Buddha Hall gate, there is a place called the Ear Mound. Long ago, when the Taiko Toyotomi Hideyoshi was conquering Korea, many enemy soldiers were captured by Japanese forces. When they tried to send the heads back to Japan for the Taiko to inspect, the number of heads was so overwhelming that they only cut off the ears, packed them into barrels, and sent them over.
After the Taiko inspected them, he felt that since they were people without connections, they would become ghosts of a lost land. Even though they were enemies, he felt pity for them, so he buried them in a mound, erected a five-ring pagoda on top, and designated it as a memorial for eternity.
Note: "Fubin" means pity or compassion. Note: "Gorinto" refers to a five-ring stupa.
Note: "Gorinto" refers to a five-ring stupa.
On October 25, Keicho 19, there was a truly massive earthquake, but there were no major issues. However, this time, the great earthquake shook it down, the mound collapsed, the five-ring pagoda toppled over, and the site became a deep hole, which is truly ominous.
Note: "Sonuru" appears to be written this way, but the meaning is unclear, so I am not confident. Note: The earthquake on October 25, Keicho 19, refers to the great earthquake that occurred on November 26, 1614. It is said that there was tsunami damage in Echigo Takada, and records of the great earthquake remain in a wide area including Aizu, Choshi, Edo, Hachioji, Odawara, Izu, Ina, Sunpu, Mikawa Tahara, Kuwana, Ise, Tsu, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kii Tanabe, and Iyo Matsuyama. Note: "Oonayu" is thought to be "oonai," meaning a great earthquake. Note: "Furikuzusare" means shaken down.
Someone read this into the hole: "Oh, many ears of the Ear Mound, I ask you, have you heard of such an earthquake?" From the bottom of the hole, a sound echoed back, seemingly a reply: "Has the Tang land also been shaken by this great earthquake? Now, the ears... the hole has opened."
Note: "Henka" means a poem in response. Note: "Morokoshi" refers to China. Note: "Ana wa akikere" means the hole has opened.
The Gojo Stone Bridge had also been completed around this time, and it was thought that no matter what happened, it would remain until the future era when Maitreya appears. However, the bridge girders, bridge planks, and even the railings, over twenty ken in length, collapsed.
Note: "Watashi oosete" means to have finished the construction. It is thought to mean that the work was completed. Seventeen years before this earthquake, in Shoho 2 (1645), the piers of the Gojo Great Bridge were replaced with stone ones. Note: "Tatoi" means even if. Note: "Ika naru koto" means whatever happens. Note: "Torai" refers to the world that is certain to come. Note: "Miroku shusse" refers to Maitreya appearing in this world 5.67 billion years after the Buddha's death to save all living beings. Note: "Kotoyue" means an accident or something bad happening.
There was a person crossing at that time; one was struck by the bridge girder stones, shattered, and died. Another person, said to be from Nishi-Rokujo Hanaya-cho, rode the falling bridge planks down to the bottom and eventually lost consciousness, but only suffered a slight bruise around the knee. He eventually revived, feeling as if in a dream, and managed to return home. It is understandable that he was very happy, thinking he was a person of strong luck, and went about his household work. Many horses carrying loads had gathered at the bridge approach, but all the horses were frightened, jumping up and standing on their hind legs, refusing to take a single step. The fact that they would not move even when pulled or struck made people wonder if they knew the bridge was about to collapse. It was truly a strange event.
Note: "Ie no shigoto shikeru mo kotowari nari" might be misread. Note: "Osorete haneagari" means frightened and jumping up. Note: "Hitotashi mo yukazu" means not taking a single step. Note: "Hikedomo utedomo susumazarikeru" means even though they were pulled or struck, they did not advance. Note: "Kidoku" means very rare and mysterious.
Author's Note: ● indicates characters that could not be deciphered.
I will update this as I decipher new characters or notice typos and misreadings. For details, please read the "Introduction/Disclaimer" section. 📖