The kanji 八石山 (Mt. Hachikoku) translate to Eight Stone Mountain, but the meaning goes deeper. The 1st kanji is Hachi which means eight. The 2nd kanji is most commonly known as Ishi, or stone, but it can also mean Koku. According to Wikipedia...
" The koku was originally defined as a quantity of rice, historically defined as enough rice to feed one person for one year. A koku of rice weighs about 150 kilograms (23.6 stone or 330 pounds)."
Putting it all together, Hachikoku is the rice supply for eight for a year. From a distance the mountain does have the appearance of piles of rocks or huge bags of rice.
Last year we climbed Hachikoku twice, one on our own and once with students, as an unofficial event. This year we make the climb as our June outreach event. Twelve of us, including a 2yo, braved this 518m mountain and lived to tell the tail.
Going up...
Lunch break at the top...
On the way down...
The Beauty of it all...
Psalm 121:1-3
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;"
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