Tateishi-sama, Sacred boulder in Tateishi, Tokyo, Japan.
Tateishi-sama is a sacred stone set within a children's playground, carved from Boshu-ishi tuff material sourced from Mount Nokogiri in Chiba Prefecture. The stone displays its natural texture and maintains a quiet presence despite its location in an urban setting.
During the Edo period, this stone stood over 60 centimeters (24 inches) tall and served as a landmark for travelers crossing the region. It was a recognized waypoint along major travel routes of that era.
Local residents regularly place coins and food offerings at the stone shrine, maintaining centuries-old worship practices. These daily gestures show how the site remains woven into the neighborhood's spiritual life today.
The stone shrine sits within a children's playground accessible on foot in about 10 minutes from either Keisei Tateishi or Aoto Station. The setting is easily reached but located in a quiet residential area, so visitors should be respectful of local norms and the children who may be playing nearby.
During the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, soldiers collected fragments of the stone believing it offered protection from bullets. This practice reveals how deeply the stone was embedded in people's daily lives and beliefs.
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