Short Stuff: The Killing Stone

Cultural Reverence

The Killing Stone, or Sesshoseki, holds a significant place in Japanese folklore, believed to be the petrified form of the fox spirit Tamamo no Mae. This stone, located on Mount Nasu, stands out due to its unique appearance and the menacing volcanic gases that surround it, adding to its mystique 1. Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant describe how the stone's eerie presence is amplified by the sulfuric gases seeping from the ground, which could lead visitors to associate it with death and danger 1.

It's quite menacing in that sense, especially if you know what the legend is.

--- Josh Clark

The stone's cultural reverence is deeply tied to its legendary origins and the natural phenomena surrounding it.

   

2022 Split

In 2022, the Killing Stone split in two, sparking widespread reactions both in Japan and online. A tourist visiting the site tweeted about the event, suggesting that the fox spirit Tamamo no Mae might have escaped, which fueled public intrigue and speculation 2. Chuck Bryant notes that the internet misinterpreted the lore, as Tamamo no Mae was believed to be the stone itself, not trapped inside it 2.

The Internet kind of got it wrong. If you look at the original lore of the story, Tamamo no Mae was actually the stone and not trapped in the stone.

--- Chuck Bryant

This event highlighted the enduring fascination with the Killing Stone and its mythical associations.