Muenzuka 無縁塚むえんづか

Mound of the Forgotten Dead

In addition to the more than 200,000 monuments to the dead at Oku-no-in, one can also find myriad smaller, unidentified stone statues throughout the cemetery. These are known as "muentō" 無縁塔, or "stupa of the forgotten, unconnected dead."

When these are found, they are often covered with red caps or bibs as a prayer for their repose.

Still others have been gathered and arranged into a large pyramid on a side path not too far from the mausoleum of Kōbō-Daishi. This mound of statues for the forgotten dead is known as the Muenzuka, the "Mound of the Forgotten Dead."" (The Japanese refer to these individuals as muenbotoke, which literally means buddhas with no [known] relations. "Hotoke" is the Japanese for "Buddha," but it is also used generally for anyone who has died.)

View of the tomb of Muenzuka Mound — View of the Muenzuka Mound

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Muenzuka Mound

KoyaQuest

Muenzuka Mound

Muenzuka 無縁塚むえんづか

Mound of the Forgotten Dead