It had been his long-held aspiration to blast away the rocks and calm the rapids of the river, in order to speed up, make safe and monetize the route from Tanba Province.
Calming the Hozu-gawa cost a huge amount of money and man-hours, and many men lost their lives.
In 1614 the temple of Daihikaku Senkō-ji (大悲閣千光寺) was moved by Ryōi to a spot above the river at Arashiyama, in order to pray for the souls of the dead.
Daihikaku possesses a rather startling image of Suminokura Ryōi (角倉了以 1554-1614). He sits on a large coil of rope and holds an ishiwari axe (石割斧), both essential items in river excavation.
For a time it is said he lived at the temple, praying for souls of the dead workers.
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