[Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture] The nearest station to the temple (Tsurubuyama Chinzoji) with the legend of “Tsuru no Ongaeshi” has been renovated!

Many people have probably heard of the folktale ``Tsuru no Ongaeshi,'' which begins in a certain place

There is a place related to the folk tale "Tsuru no Ongaeshi" in the Urushiyama area of ​​Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Tsurufuyama Chinzoji Temple, a temple made of crane cloth, is said to have good fortune based on the legend of the crane giving back.

Also, at the end of 2022, the station closest to the temple will be renovated and is becoming a hot topic in the local area.

We will introduce information about the renovated station, legends passed down, folklore museums near temples, etc.

Please read to the end.

What is “Tsuru no Ongaeshi”?

[Once upon a time, there lived a poor old couple. One snowy winter day, when an old man goes into town to sell firewood, he finds a crane caught in a hunter's trap. Feeling sorry for him, he let the crane escape from the trap. On that night, when it was snowing heavily, a beautiful girl came to the couple's house...]

Source: Free encyclopedia "Wikipedia"

The story goes that a crane transforms into a human and appears as a thank you for saving his life, and uses his feathers to weave cloth, but when his true identity is seen, he has to say goodbye sadly. , that's the story.

This time we will be introducing the legend of ``Tsuru no Ongaeshi,'' which is passed down in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, but it seems that there are other stories of ``Tsuru no Ongaeshi'' that have been passed down in other regions as well.

What is Kakufuzan Chinzoji?

This is an ancient temple that is said to have been founded in 1460 by the three monks of the Gokudo sect of the Soto sect Kongozan Rinnoji Temple.

It is also said that he has close ties to the Sendai Date family. Nearby is the Kumano Taisha shrine, which also has deep connections with the Date family.

Legend has it that textiles woven from crane feathers were treasured by the temple when it was a treasure, and it is said that ``the return of the vine'' is said to be auspicious for the opening of the temple .

Legends hinted at by place names

in Urushiyama, Nanyo City is ``Orihata River'', and there are many places in the vicinity where the cranes return their favor, such as ``Hanetsuki'' and ``Tsurumakida''. There are still place names associated with it .

I can't help but think that Tsuru's return of favor may actually have happened in real life.

A crane returns the favor to the station building

Flower Nagai Line Orihata Station, the closest station to Tsurufuyama Chinzoji Temple.Although it is a small, unmanned station building, it has become an indispensable station building for nearby students and elderly people.

The station building has been renovated to honor the legend of ``Tsuru no Ongaeshi.'' The silhouette-like illustrations are reminiscent of the story and blend in with the surrounding countryside.

The waiting room inside the station building was decorated with pictures drawn by local elementary school students, which made the participants feel warm.

INFORMATION

• Name: Orihata Station
• Route: Flower Nagai Line
• Location: Urushiyama, Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture 992-0474

GOOGLE MAP

Old tales at the “Tsuru no Ongaeshi” museum

The ``Yuzuru no Sato Museum'' is located near the Orikigawa River, and exhibits materials related to Tsuruno Taegeshi.

Do you feel like a crane at the museum? You can also try your hand at weaving.

It is said that during the Meiji period, the Urushiyama area was prosperous enough to engage in overseas trade due to its silk industry.

INFORMATION

• Name: Yuzuru no Sato
• Location: 2025-2 Urushiyama, Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Closed: Every Monday (open if Monday is a public holiday) Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)
• Admission fee: Adults/330 yen Elementary/junior high school students/110 yen
• URL: Yuzuru no Sato homepage

GOOGLE MAP

summary

An old story that I have heard at least once. Among them, ``Tsuru no Ongaeshi'' is a folk tale that has been passed down throughout the country.

Among them, the Urushiyama district of Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, has names related to the vine's return, including Tsurufuyama Chinzoji Temple. Furthermore, the nearest station, Orihata Station, has recently been renovated and a silhouette of Tsuru no Gaeshi is drawn on the station building.

It might be a good idea to visit the traditional countryside scenery and feel like you have traveled back in time to the world of stories.