さざれ石（霧島神宮）

``Sazare-ishi'', which was sung in the Japanese national anthem and also in the song included in the Kokin Wakashu, which is the origin of the word, seems to have simply referred to a small stone, but for some reason Gifu Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of the national anthem. As a result, Gifu Prefecture is reportedly donating calcareous breccia to various places, claiming that it is ``ripple stone.'' Judging from the inscription on the side of Kirishima Shrine's ``Sazare Stone'', it seems that it was donated from Gifu and is located here, which is a very strange story. That being said, the worldview of ancient Japan, where small stones grow into large rocks over many years, is interesting. Normally, rocks become smaller through cracking or abrasion, but on the other hand, gravel can be compacted over many years and become sandstone or conglomerate, so in that sense it cannot be said that there is anything wrong with it. Also interesting.

This is a ripple stone that appears in the lyrics of the Japanese national anthem. It was inside Kirishima Shrine.

This is the stone that became the lyrics to Japan's national anthem. The small stones hardened into one. Is it an image of national unity? The bus guide told us.

“Sazare-ishi” mentioned in the national anthem The scientific name of this stone is calcareous breccia. When limestone dissolves in rainwater, the lime-laden water sometimes forms a highly adhesive emulsion, which collects pebbles underground and gradually grows larger. It is truly remarkable that it will eventually appear on earth and be sung in the national anthem, and after thousands of years have passed, it has turned into a stone rock and is covered with moss. This stone was discovered in the mountains of Kasuga Village, Ibi District, Gifu Prefecture, which is said to be the birthplace of the national anthem, and the state of its assemblage can be clearly seen just by looking at this stone.

Scientific name: "Calcareous breccia" The famous stone mentioned in the national anthem was dedicated in 1987 by the town of Ibigawa in Gifu Prefecture, where it was produced. It seems that Satsuma is said to be the birthplace of ``Kimigayo''*. *It is said that the origin is ``Kimigayo wa Chiyo ni~'', which is recited at the Iriki Kagura at Omiya Shrine in the Hinomaru district of Iriki-cho, Satsumasendai City (there are various theories).