3.Terakoji Stone-Carved Cross
Deep religious piety of the Notsu
Christians carved into rock
The Terakoji Stone-Carved Cross is carved into a boulder (Aso-lava welded tuff) 2.7 m across and 1.4 m high. It bears a shallow carving of a cross inside a circle, topped with the “INRI” plaque (the plaque stating the reason why Jesus Christ was crucified), and stands atop Calvary, here in the shape of a round mound. A feature of this carving is that it includes the Holy Nails, the nails used to crucify Jesus Christ, in three places, two on the cross beam and one on the upright. This is the only stone-carved cross remaining in Japan that bears carvings of the Holy Nails. This suggests that the Notsu Christians of the late 16th century had a deep understanding of Christian doctrine.
It is difficult to see, but you can make out the “INRI” and the Holy Nails.
It is beside National Route 10 a little way up the hill.
- Address
- 3812 Miyabaru, Notsu-machi, Usuki City, Oita Prefecture
- TEL
- None
- Parking
- Available(One car can be parked in the square in front of the covered house
- Stamp location
- Inside the pillar in the Yururu Citizens Plaza, Usuki City Notsu Government Office Building
- Restrooms
- Use the toilet inside Yururu
- *
- *Usuki City Notsu Government Office Building is open 7:30-18:30 on weekdays and 8:30-18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.