Suzuka Yama (鈴鹿山)

Posted by MShades (Kyoto, Japan) on 11 September 2008 in People & Portrait.

This poor guy looks exhausted....

Suzuka Yama is dedicated to the goddess Suzuka Myojin, who did the world a favor by being an oni-killer. Back in the day, the Tokaido Road, the main highway from Kyoto to the east, would have to go through Suzuka Mountain, which was a favorite place for all kinds of unpleasantness. Robbers, thieves, murderers, and devils. The goddess wiped out all the devils, presumably leaving only robbers, thieves and murderers.