An ancient and huge monolith is known in Japan as one of the greatest enigmas in history.
It was called “Ishi-no-Hoden” and generated many hypotheses among experts, since there is no scientific information about who built it and for what purpose. Moreover, the Japanese once revered it as a sacred object.
Ishi-no-Hoden is located above a pond in the town of Takasago, Hyōgo Prefecture. The incredible stone monument attracts a large number of visitors, being the structure of a giant stone that seems to float.
One of the greatest puzzles in Japanese history
The colossal megalith is almost 6 meters high and 6.5 meters wide. It is almost 8 meters deep and weighs around 500 tons. But why is this giant monument so mysterious? For several reasons…
One of them is that there is not much information about the origin of this structure, and even less about its purpose. Moreover, it seems that the researchers have not been able to explain how it was made a stone of such magnitude. There is also no evidence that a tool was used in its construction.
The huge megalithic stone of Ishi-no-Hoden.
Details and history of Ishi-no-Hoden
The gigantic structure of the Ishi-no-Hoden has some Important Similarities to the Colossal Stone Ship of Masuda. One of them is that both are carved from hyaloclastite. It is a type of stone that is characterized by its hydration and its richness in black volcanic glass.
this kind of stones formed about 70 million years ago. And this only happens in places where volcanic, subglacial or underwater eruptions occur. A very special characteristic that also has two other monuments found in Japan.
Historical file of the Ishi no Hoden
As expected, the existence of the colossal monument was documented in a historical record old enough to province of Harima. The manuscript is known as Harima Fudoki which is a compilation of ancient stories during and after the year 713 AD
The story of Ishi-no-Hoden is told in the Harima Fudoki. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public domain.
But unfortunately recorded there is not enough relevant information about Ishi-no-Hoden. He also doesn’t say the reason it was made, however, what he does mention is that the place was already quite well known in the nara period.
The route to reach the mysterious monument
To get to this enigmatic stone, you must first perform the ascent of Mount Hoden. There are quite steep stairs that connect the base of the mountain to the Ooshiko Shrine. Although it is possible to arrive via a paved road, many visitors prefer to do this route.
Finally, to reach the top of the Mount Hoden and observe the megalith, it is essential to climb some stairs that have been dug directly into the stone. After reaching the top, you find yourself a short path of steps leading to the Ishi no Hodenwho wears a sacred cord as an adornment.
The “Floating Stone”
The huge monolith is called the “floating stone”.
At first sight, the monument seems to float on a pond, it is said that the water stored in this pond is magic. Indeed, these waters have been known for a long time because they are effective against any disease. Apparently they never dried up, and when the tide rises, the level rises.
Famous legends on stone
Since the information is scarce, the legends have become more famous, one of them says that the gods Ookuninushi and Sukunabikona, participated in the construction. It is said that they arrived in the land and were ordered to build a palace in a single night.
But it happened that neighboring deities revealed themselves. For this reason, the two gods who worked on the work, they were forced to leave the premises and the palace remained unfinished.
Artist’s impression of the Ishi-no-Hoden monolith in Japan.
Just a legend?
It is true that for many people this legend may seem like mere fiction, however, it is possible that it is real events told with some symbolism. Perhaps, when they mention that “they had to build the palace in one night”, they mean that they had to do it very quickly.
You might also be interested in: The mysterious Japanese monolith of unknown origin.
However, the Ishi-no-Hoden Monolith remains involved in a great enigma, since it has not yet been possible to answer the question of how it was carved. Neither stone tools have been found at the site, nor inscriptions or engravings of any kind that show its construction process, who built it and for what purpose it is part of the mystery.
What we can be sure of is that this gigantic monument was created by a highly developed civilization that had very advanced technology. With which they were able to create a rock of such magnitude, resistant to climate change and weathering, a megalith that will last forever.
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