What was the "Oni Shigai Village" that actually existed during the Meiji period? Discovering the legend and true identity of the demon [Iwate Prefecture]

you"Onishigai Village"ever heard of a place called

The area became known to the world when it was used as the setting for the novel "Murder in Demon Corpse Village" (published in 1998, written by Yoshimura Tatsuya, published by Kadokawa Haruki Corporation), but it has been attracting attention again in recent years due to the "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" boom

We decided to go to Onishigai Village to investigate whether it really existed and what kind of village it was

This time, we will also reveal the origins of unusual place names that are still passed down locally, as well as the true identity of the demon

What is "Oni Shigai Village"?

The first thing I saw upon arriving at the locationread, "Beware of demons and bears." The surrounding area was a peaceful rural landscape, and it didn't look like a place where demons might appear at all.

Onishigai Village was the name of a village that actually existed in southern Iwate Prefecture until 1875. Due to municipal mergers, the village ceased to exist and became the present-day Mashiba district of Ichinoseki City.
The place name Onishigai is no longer used, but its name can still be seen on NTT utility poles as a main line name.

Along Prefectural Route 260, Ichinoseki Hiraizumi Line, there was a bus stop with the words "Oni Shigai" (Demon Corpse) written on it

This bus stop was actually in use until 2016, but unfortunately the line has now been abandoned and only the bus stop and bus stop remain

located very close to the bus stopthe "Kokutetsu Bus Onishigai Bus Stop,".

It has taken on a new role as a tourist spot that conveys the history of Onishigai Village. At the time of our visit, an elderly woman who appeared to be a local was taking a break here. Just looking at the name, it seems like a scary stop that no one would approach, but it appears to be a beloved resting spot for locals

What we can learn from the Onishigai Village map

The Ichinoseki City Museum still houses a drawing of Onishigai Village.
We have borrowed this valuable image for this project.

When the village actually existed, its population was around 400 people

In the center of the village is Kashima Shrine, and just to the east is a stone with the inscription "Oniishi." This stone may hold the key to unlocking the village's secrets

Origin of the place name

Why was this region once called by the ominous name "Oni-shigai-mura" (Village of Demon Corpses)?

The mystery dates back more than 1,200 years to the Heian period, to the subjugation of the Emishi people.

In 801 AD, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, appointed as the Shogun by the imperial court, invaded Mutsu Province (present-day Tohoku region) to strengthen his control over the Tohoku region, and many Emishi fought to defend the land.

However, despite their desperate resistance, the Emishi were defeated, and their braveleader, Otakemaru,was beheaded.

The remains of Otakemaru from the neck down were buried near Kashima Shrine, and"Oniishi"it is said that the burial place was beneath the

Some of you may be wondering, "What about above the neck?"

Legend has it that Otakemaru's head flew to Miyagi Prefecture, and that this became the origin of the name of Onikobe, present-day Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.(There are various theories about the origin.)

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Onikobe's Jigokudani Promenade! The steam and geysers are a sight straight out of hell! [Miyagi Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/21225

"Onikobe Onsen!?" "Hell Valley!?" Just hearing the name might conjure up images of a frightening place, but Onikobe Onsen in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, is rich in nature and is one of the few spots in the prefecture where you can feel the breath, breathing, and dynamism of the earth. A hot spring resort located on a plateau! The Onikobe area of ​​Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, is a hot spring area in the northwest of Miyagi Prefecture, north of Osaki City, located on a plateau stretching from the middle of Mt. Arao to the outer rim of the volcano. Onikobe Onsen is part of the Naruko Onsen Village (Naruko Onsen, Higashi Naruko Onsen, Kawado Onsen, Nakayamadaira Onsen, Onikobe Onsen), but it is also home to the surrounding hot springs of Fukiage Onsen, Todoroki Onsen, and...

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Introducing Onishigai merchandise

which works to widely disseminate information about the origins and historical sites of Onishigai Village and pass them on to future generationsThe Mashiba Community Development Council (located within the Mashiba Community Center in Ichinoseki City), produces and sells various goods related to the place name.
This time, we were shown some rare Onishigai goods that can only be purchased here.

These wooden straps and marquetry coasters, perfect as souvenirs, are handcrafted with the cooperation of local carpenters.
These items are expected to be offered as return gifts for Ichinoseki City's hometown tax donation program in the future. Until then, be sure to visit and purchase them!

which is essential for touring the sites associated with Onishigai Village,a "Modern Version of Onishigai Village Map,"and is distributing it for free at the Onishigai bus stop.

In addition to the historical sites introduced this time, there is a wealth of useful information for sightseeing around Onishigaki, such as the "Rib Stone" that is said to be part of Otakemaru's corpse, and the "Onishigaki Hachiman Shrine" that contains the place name Onishigaki, so we recommend that you definitely get it

summary

It has been discovered that the true identity of the demon in the real-life "Oni-Shigai Village" from the Meiji era was Otakemaru, an Emishi hero who risked his life fighting to protect the Tohoku region where he was born and raised.

In an era without maps or the internet, the imperial court may have described people living in Tohoku, an uncivilized land, who did not obey them, as "unknown beings = demons."

To the people of Tohoku, Otakemaru is not a demon, but a hero who bravely fought to protect his homeland and his comrades.
I hope that his courage and spirit, along with the unusual place name, will be passed down through generations.

JNR Bus Onishigai Stop <Information>

• Name: JNR Bus Onishigai Stop
• Address: 33 Mashiba Inori, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture

Google Maps

Mashiba Civic Center <Information>

• Name: Mashiba Civic Center
• Address: 3-1 Mashibakawado, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0191-26-2523
• Official URL:Mashiba Community Center

Google Maps

Naka

Thank you for reading this article.
I'm Naka, a writer born and raised in Tohoku.
My hobby is visiting temples and shrines, and I'm currently on my third goshuin (temple/shrine stamp) book.
I'll be sharing timely information and in-depth topics about Tohoku from a local's perspective!