Sennintsubo, Historical burial site in Oda, Japan
Sennintsubo is a burial site in Oda featuring a deep square pit approximately 4 meters down, situated within dense forest. Multiple stone monuments marking the location are scattered across the wooded area.
During the Edo period, this pit became a burial place for executed criminals, sick miners, and unidentified victims from the Iwami Ginzan silver mine. Its use reflects the conditions and hardships of that mining era.
Stone monuments here bear Buddhist prayers and death poems that reflect how Japanese people honored the deceased. These inscriptions offer glimpses into the funeral customs and beliefs of the time.
Reaching the site requires a thirty-minute walk through hilly terrain from the main road, with limited signage and overgrown paths. Sturdy footwear and attention to trail markers are helpful for navigating the area.
The name Sennintsubo means 'thousand-person pit' and refers to the many bodies buried here. This place name remains today a powerful reminder of the mining era's human cost.
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