Villagers Kept Praying for Travellers' Safety
The road linking Matsumoto, a castle town, and Itoigawa in Nigata Prefecture is called Chikuni Road with an approximate length of 120 km or 75 miles. Its name, Salt Rod, originated from the episode that Uesugi Kenshin, one of the most powerful feudal lords, once presented salt to his rival, Takeda Shingen.
The road was also used as a trading path where hemp cloth, cotton, and wood crafts from the mountainside were carried to the Japan Sea and salt and sea food were carried by cattle, horses, and people in return. Hakuba located at the passing point contains steep passages, and there is some danger from avalanches. Thus the villagers built a number of stone statues of gods and Buddha to pray for the safety of travellers and that the souls of those killed may rest in peace. The remains of stone statues show how deeply faithful to the gods they were.
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