Name Meaning
Sesshō-seki (殺生石) means "Killing Stone" in Japanese. It is a cursed stone believed to kill anyone who comes into contact with it.
- Sesshō (殺生) = killing
- Seki (石) = stone
Origin
- Connected to the legend of Tamamo-no-Mae, a powerful fox spirit who was slain and her soul bound to the stone.
- The stone lies in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, and has been feared for centuries.
- Even in modern times, it broke apart in 2022, sparking folklore conversations again.
Appearance
- Resembles an ordinary volcanic rock, often surrounded by a rope and warning signs.
- Some depictions show it glowing or surrounded by eerie mist.
Behavior & Myths
- Said to instantly kill birds, animals, or humans who touched it.
- Legends say Buddhist priests eventually exorcised the spirit from the stone.
- The story was used in literature, Noh theater, and popular ghost tales.
Symbolism
- Embodies the dangerous remnants of yokai or evil spirits.
- Warns against unchecked power or deceitful beauty, as with Tamamo-no-Mae.
- A symbol of fear and mystery in Japanese spiritual geography.
