In 735, a famous holy saint Gyouki visited a temple called Hudouji at Iwasawa in Ojiya. He cut a Katsura tree to carve Hudou Myouou. Several trunks grew from the stump and the trees look like a forest so it is called Hayashi (Bayashi). The statue of Hudou Myouou has been worshiped as a principal image of the temple Hudouji. Hudouji Katsura Bayashi is designated as Natural Monument by Ojiya City.　(from Ojiya City Home Page)

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