Hōsō Jizō and the Shōchō Tokusei Inscription
A roadside Jizō and an exceptionally important medieval inscription connected with a debt-cancellation uprising in the four Kōbe villages.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Hōsō Jizō and the Shōchō Tokusei Inscription
The roadside Hōsō Jizō is both a religious image and the face of a designated historic monument. Nara City describes a 3–4 metre granite outcrop bearing a 1.1-metre relief Jizō, a separate 1319 inscription beside the figure, and a small framed debt-related text carved below and to the right. The city records the established interpretation that the Shōchō 1 (1428) text commemorates the debt cancellation associated with the uprising that year, while noting that scholars differ over when the text itself was carved. The name Hōsō Jizō comes from a local belief that the image protected against smallpox; it is a transmitted belief, not a medical claim. The monument is part of a rural walking landscape, so observe it without touching the stone or obstructing the path.
Read the inscription with its local interpretation
The 27-character text is enclosed in a small rectangular frame below the Jizō. Nara City reads it as a declaration that the four Kasuga-affiliated Kōbe villages—Ōyagyu, Koyagyu, Sakahara and Ōji—should have no outstanding debts from Shōchō 1 (1428) onward. Local explanations also describe this as cancellation of debts incurred before that date. The wording and date make it a rare material record of medieval economic protest, but the monument alone cannot establish the full course of the uprising. Lettering is small, so do not touch, chalk, rub or make a tracing of the stone.
Notice that the rock preserves more than one date
The main Jizō is accompanied by an inscription dated to 1319 on the side of the figure; the debt text below it refers to Shōchō 1, 1428. Nara City lists the monument as a Historic Site designated in 1983 and says specialists differ about when the lower text was carved. These dates refer to distinct inscriptions and should not be collapsed into a single construction date.
A rare material record of medieval debt relief
The local account describes the carving as a memorial inscription associated with tokusei, a medieval form of debt cancellation connected with popular uprisings. It calls the inscription exceptionally rare in Japan. That claim should be attributed to the local historical interpretation rather than expanded into a claim that this one stone proves every detail of the uprising. The inscription preserves a local memory of how debt, land and community were negotiated.
Use the published village route
The Yagyu Tourism Association lists Hōsō Jizō as a stop on its roughly 5 km village-history loop from Yagyu bus stop, estimated at about 90 minutes for the whole loop. Its separate 3 km loop does not list this monument. The prefecture's longer Yagyu Kaidō route also describes the Hōsō Jizō and nearby stone figures along the old road into the village. These are walking-route references, not a confirmed shrine-to-monument shortcut or step-free access assessment. Follow the published route map, use public ways only, and check weather, daylight and return buses.
A sacred image and protected monument
The Jizō remains a religious image beside a rural route. Keep the path clear, avoid loud noise, do not move offerings or touch the carving, and do not enter nearby fields or private property. Nara City's heritage page identifies the municipality as owner and lists the site as a Historic Site; the tourism listing gives the Yagyu bus stop as the access point and the tourism association as the contact. Neither listing gives staffed hours, fees, toilet, parking, step-free access or photography rules. Ask before publication-oriented photography.
What to look for
A dated medieval inscription
The carved text names Shōchō 1 (1428) and debt obligations in the four Kōbe villages.
Local memory of tokusei
The stone connects a rural community with medieval demands for debt relief.
A stop on a longer walk
The local association places it on its five-kilometre historic village circuit.
Photo notes
No detailed photography policy was found. Do not touch, chalk or trace the image or nearby inscription. Ask the local association before publication-oriented photography, and keep clear of the road and neighboring homes. No third-party image is licensed for MyNara.
Make a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 24 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.
- Nara City Tourism Association — official address, Yagyu bus access, and Hōsō Jizō tradition
- Nara City — designated historic site, monument dimensions, 1319 side inscription, 1428 debt text and interpretive uncertainty
- Yagyu Tourism Association — Hōsō Jizō, inscription text and local interpretation
- Yagyu Tourism Association — village walking routes and route length
- Nara Prefecture — Yagyu Kaidō route notes identifying Hōsō Jizō and trail safety limits
- Nara Prefecture — Yagyu Miyaza annual festival and sacred dances