This kiridoshi is a part of the old shortcut route across Iwakumayama Hill between two settlements in Yamaga City. Before the cut was bult here, a meandering mountain path with ragged steeps over the hill was running here. It was a dangerous and demanding route. Hence, the locals built the straight and flat route, the so-called kiridoshi, by cutting the hill.
They utilize the soil produced by this construction work to level nearby low ground. Many stone images of Buddha stand in line on the flank of the both walls of the kiridoshi as shown in the second photo. They are thought to be made by the locals for traffic safety. The number of them originally was 40-50 though, it counts about 20 now, because some locals might take them home to pray for getting rid of evil spirits. Kiridoshi can be found everywhere across the country though, this one has very tall walls on both sides, about 60 meters in maximum height. As it is easy to cut thanks to the soft and fragile soil made up of the volcanic ash from Mt. Aso. Thickly covered with green even in winter, the deep cut appears to be a turning point that invites those who pass through here to another world.
Jason Hardy
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