郭巨山
Kakkyō Yama – Confucian and Taoist Teachings Kakkyō Yama demonstrates a story of family allegiance and respect for one’s elders, a central theme in Confucian teachings. For Confucians, an elderly person is the living vehicle of decades of experience and wisdom, and in that sense more valuable than less experienced youth. Guo Ju (Kakkyō in Japanese) was a poor Chinese man whose family was suffering from acute hunger. Heartstricken, he determined to sacrifice his own son’s life, so that there would be more food for his elderly mother. While digging a grave in which to bury his son, he found a pot of gold, his reward for his filial piety. This float shows he and his son rejoicing. Incredibly, Guo Ju’s grave still exists as part of The Dutiful Son Temple, a pilgrimage site in China.