Jūroku_Rakan_Iwa
Jūroku Rakan Iwa
Monument in Yuza, Japan
The Jūroku Rakan Iwa (十六羅漢岩) or "Sixteen Rakan Rocks" is a monument to the local fishermen in Yuza, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Carved from volcanic rock by a Buddhist monk between 1864 and 1868, there are in total twenty-two figures: the Sixteen Arhats along with Shakyamuni, Manjusri, Fugen and his consort, Avalokitesvara, and the Sarira. A little to the south of the carvings is Dewa Futami, or the Wedded rocks of Dewa Province.[1][2]
The Jūroku Rakan Iwa are among the 100 Fishing Village Heritage Sites sponsored by the National Association of Fisheries and endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.[3][4]
There is an annual ceremony in late July, when the sculptures are illuminated at night.[5]