Kashozan Mirokuji Temple

Kashozan Mirokuji stands in a forested valley on Mt. Kasho, north of Numata in Gunma Prefecture, surrounded by ancient cryptomeria trees. Founded in 848 as a Tendai temple and converted to Soto Zen in the fifteenth century, it is associated with the mountain monk Tenson and his disciple Chuho, whose legend holds that he never needed rest and could scale impossible cliffs. Chuho is enshrined in the Chuhodo Hall as a tengu deity, represented by two distinct statues: one with a long nose, one resembling a crow. The site's hollowed 'horse-hiding' cryptomeria, where pilgrims once left their horses before entering on foot, still stands near the parking lot.