The mountains of Nikko have a revered solemnity. The unexplored terrain of Nikko was first pioneered by the monk, Shodo Shonin(735 - 817). At the time when Kannon faith was popular, Shonin saw the summit of Mt. Nantai (2486 m) as the KannonPure Land and worshipped the gods residing in the mountain. He then sought the summit in order to master hisown faith. Hindered by deep primitive forests, Shonin was finally successful on his third attempt, and he builta small shrine. It is said this was the origin of the present Futarasan Shrine’s okumiya (rear shrine).