Koa Kannon

(Translated by Google) On the anniversary of the end of the war, I remembered the Koa Kannon, a precious place where I visited last December to pray for the repose of the spirits of the heroes who lost their lives in the war. I would like to once again express my gratitude for the fact that Japan is what it is today thanks to our predecessors who served their country. It is a place where you can once again remember deeply that there are no enemies or allies, that every life is important and should be respected, and that wars must never be repeated. The view of Sagami Bay is also wonderful, so please come and visit us. (Original) 終戦記念日にあたり、昨年12月に訪問した興亜観音という、戦争で命を落とした英霊たちの鎮魂を願う尊い場所を思い出しました。国のために尽くした先人たちのおかげで、今の日本があること、改めて感謝したいと思います。 敵も味方もなく、どの命も大切であり、敬われるべきだということ、そして、戦争は繰り返してはいけないと、改めて深く心に刻める場所です。相模湾の景色も素晴らしいので、ぜひ、足を運んでみてください。

(Translated by Google) [For those going by car] There is a parking lot. It can accommodate about four cars. The entrance is on the curved side of the national highway, and you have to go up a steep slope. There is a lot of traffic, so please go slowly and find the entrance. It is quite a hill to the parking lot. Drive safely! [For those going by foot] On the day of our visit, we parked the car elsewhere and walked up from the national highway, but it is quite a hill. It takes about 15 minutes to get there. There is a retractable gate at the entrance to the parking lot. It does not seem to be locked, but open it and close it properly before climbing. We offered our sincere condolences to the heroic spirits who sacrificed their precious lives, expressed our respect, and prayed for their souls to rest in peace. (Original) 【車で行かれる方】駐車場はあります。4台ほど停められます。 入口は国道のカーブ側から、急こう配を上って行きます。 車通りが激しいのでゆっくりスピードで進入路を見つけて進んでください。 駐車場までも結構な坂です。安全運転で！ 【徒歩の方】訪問日は他の場所に車を止め、国道から徒歩で登りましたが結構な坂です。15分程で着きます。 駐車場から登り入口に伸縮ゲートがあります。鍵はかかってないようですが開けてちゃんと閉めて登りましょう。 尊い命を犠牲にされた御英霊に対して、哀悼の誠を捧げるとともに、尊崇の念を表し、御霊安らかなれとご冥福をお祈りしました。

(Translated by Google) After climbing a fairly steep slope, you'll arrive at the parking lot. Then, after walking up the slope for a few more minutes (it took me 4 minutes and 30 seconds), you'll reach Koa Kannon. Beyond that is a stone monument that was once blown up and the main hall, and at the top of the long slope, the view is amazing. The cat staying in the main hall is adorable. It will probably show off its belly to anyone it meets for the first time. (Original) なかなかキツイ坂を登り、駐車場に到着します。 そして、更に数分間（私は４分３0秒）坂道の歩道を上がると、興亜観音様があります。 その先には、爆破された事のある石碑と本堂があり、長い坂を登りきった、そこからの景色と眺めは最高です。 本堂に滞在しているネコちゃんはカワイイです。初めて会う人にもお腹を見せてくれるでしょう。

(Translated by Google) Kowa Kannon is a peaceful place nestled in a quiet mountain valley. The grounds are pristine, with well-maintained trees and cobblestone paths that lead visitors into a world of tranquility. Particularly impressive was the Kannon statue where the memorial for the seven men executed at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East is held. It gave me a sense of the history Japan has walked since the war and made me reflect deeply on the preciousness of peace. The names of former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, Koki Hirota, and Iwane Matsui are engraved on the statue, and as I pray before it, I am struck by the "weight of human life" and "the suffering of the times," transcending good and evil. This is a place I would recommend not just for sightseeing, but for those seeking quiet prayer. It was a sacred place that left a deep impression on me both historically and spiritually, and one I would like to return to in different seasons. (Original) 興和観音は、静かな山あいに佇む心安らぐ場所でした。境内は清らかで、手入れの行き届いた木々や石畳の道が、訪れる人を静寂の世界へ導いてくれます。特に印象的だったのは、極東国際軍事裁判で処刑された七人の慰霊が行われている観音像。戦後の日本が歩んできた歴史を感じ、平和の尊さを深く考えさせられました。東條英機元首相をはじめ、広田弘毅、松井石根などの名が刻まれ、その前で手を合わせると、善悪を超えて「人の命の重さ」や「時代の苦悩」が胸に迫ります。観光目的ではなく、静かに祈りを捧げたい方にこそ訪れてほしい場所です。歴史と心の両面で深い感銘を受け、また季節を変えて訪れたいと思える聖域でした。

(Translated by Google) The scenery is wonderful. On a clear day, you can clearly see Hatsushima and Izu Oshima on the opposite shore. Every time I go on vacation, I stay at a hotel in front of this facility, so when I visited last time, a chubby guy (in his 40s?) who was working on the construction explained the facility's history and history carefully and concisely, took a commemorative photo, and said, ``Please come back anytime.'' So I'm looking forward to visiting again. This time, a manager in his late 60s or 70s who had come from the Kansai region came to the main hall before I had finished praying, and he talked to me one-sidedly for over an hour, which was annoying, but the person who explained it to me before was better and more polite. This second time old man's content is incoherent, I don't understand the meaning, he repeats the same thing over and over again, he doesn't answer my questions well, and I have to listen to him one-sidedly for over an hour! Just forced explanations. Too bad I won't be going there again. If worshipers see this bald man giving explanations, we recommend that they immediately run away and say, ``I'll be right back, so don't worry about explaining.'' When I returned to the hotel and asked people who had visited the hotel, it seemed that many had the same experience, and I heard that this old man was known for his intrusive behavior. It seems that other people may talk to you, so if it's the chief priest or a volunteer, they'll give you a short summary, but you should be wary of the bald-headed Kansai guy who talks in a one-sided manner. It's just tiring because I have to keep explaining my opinions and thoughts for a long time. If you see someone asking, ``Shall I explain?'' and you flatly say, ``That's fine,'' you should be prepared. Mr. Jii, who talks long and annoying explanations, is apparently famous even at hotels. A university student who was staying at the hotel at the same time told me that he had the same experience. He seemed like a dangerous person if I didn't listen to him, so I was unwilling to listen to him.It's a great place, but the phone doesn't work, but if you can, I think it's better to check where this old man isn't. If there are cars with blue Osaka plates parked in the parking lot, you should avoid going there and go another day. It's a shame because it's a historical facility with a wonderful scenery. (Original) 展望風景がが素晴らしい。晴れた日は対岸の初島、伊豆大島が良く見える。休暇のたびにこの施設前のホテルに宿泊しているので、前に訪問した時に工事の小太りのおじさん（40代？）が施設のなりたちや歴史を丁寧にしかも簡潔に説明して頂き記念写真まで撮影して頂き「またいつでもお越し下さい」と言われたので再訪問を楽しみに向かう。今回は関西から来ているとかいう60代後半か70代の管理の人が本堂にお参りも終わらないうちに寄って来て、とにかく迷惑なくらい一時間以上一方的に話しかけられたが前に説明してくれた人の方が上手かったし丁寧。この二度目のおじさんは内容も支離滅裂、意味が分からないし、何度も同じことを繰り返すだけ質問にもロクに答えてくれず1時間以上、一方的に話を聞け！とばかりに押し付け説明だけ。残念だがもう二度と行かないだろう。参拝する人はこの禿げた説明する人を見かけたら即座に「すぐ帰りますので説明は結構です」と逃げる事をお勧めする。ホテルに戻って訪問をした経験のある人に聞くと同じ経験をした人が多いらしく、この爺さんは有名な押し付け迷惑行為をする人物らしいと聞いた。他の人が話してくれることもあるそうなので住職、ボランディアの話だと要点を短く話してくれるそうだが、頭の禿げた一方的に話す関西人のじいさんだけは気を付けた方がいい。説明を一方的に自分の主張や想いを長時間話し続けるので疲れるだけ。「説明しましょか？」と言われたら「結構です」とキッパリ断っるのと見かけたら覚悟した方がいい。ホテルでもこの長話迷惑説明ジイさんはどうやら有名。同時期に宿泊していた大学生も同じ経験をしたと教えてくれた。聞かないとヤバそうな人物だったので嫌々聞いていたそうな場所的には素晴らしいが、電話は通じないが出来るならこの爺さんがいないところを確認した方がいいと思う。青色の大阪ナンバーの車が駐車場に止まっていたら行くのを避けて別の日に行くべき。風景も素晴らしい歴史ある施設だけに残念ポイント。