NARA - A pillar at Kasuga Taisha, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Nara, was found defaced with blue Chinese characters that read ‘I love you forever,’ alongside what appear to be a man’s and a woman’s names.
A shrine employee, alerted by a visitor on the morning of September 9th, confirmed graffiti on a pillar in the east corridor of the main sanctuary, which is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The writing, in Chinese characters, measured roughly 7 centimeters wide and 28 centimeters tall.
A subsequent check located similar markings at a remote worship site northeast of the main hall. There, Chinese numerals reading ‘2022’ were written, with additional characters—believed to be personal names—placed around them.
Kasuga Taisha reported a separate incident three years ago in which red ink-like stains were found on stone lanterns within the grounds.
Police are investigating the latest vandalism on suspicion of violating the Cultural Properties Protection Law.
Source: FNN
