[Aomori] “Mt. Osore”, one of the three sacred sites in Japan

One of Japan's three sacred sites

Mount Osore is a mountain known as a sacred mountain located in Tanabe, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, and is considered one of Japan's three major sacred sites, along with Mt. Koya and Mt. Hiei. Osorezan is a somma that rises around Lake Usori, a caldera lake created by ancient volcanic activity. Due to these topographical features, rugged, exposed rock faces can be seen in the area, and there are hot springs. In addition to being naturally blown out, there is also a strong smell of sulfur. For this reason, since ancient times, Osorezan has been compared to the afterlife where the dead live, and has been revered as a place of worship where memorial services can be held for the dead.

Photo by Photocon Japan – Osorezan (2014) / Size-adapted.

The center of worship on Mt. Osore is a temple called Bodaiji, and the main temple is Kisshozan Entsuji, a Soto sect school located in the urban area of ​​Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture. This family temple is said to have been opened around the beginning of the Heian period by Jikaku Daishi Ennin, who carved a statue of Jizo Bodhisattva and enshrined it in response to a dream.It is said to have been a base for mountain worship of the Tendai sect. It has become. Entsu-ji, on the other hand, was a temple opened by Soto sect monks under the patronage of the Nanbu clan, which ruled the area from Nejo in Hachinohe City, and was a restoration of the Osorezan Bodaiji Temple, which had declined due to the war. Therefore, from then on, he was recognized as the Honbo.

In the current precincts of Osorezan Bodaiji Temple, there are spots with strange names such as Sai-no-Kawahara, where children who died in infancy are held as a memorial service, and Chinoike Jigoku, where deceased pregnant women are held as memorial services. You can see the windmills, memorial tablets, and many other offerings that they brought with them. Surrounding Lake Usori is a sandy beach called Gokurakuhama, and even though the landscape is desolate and reminiscent of hell, it is the only place that feels calm. In addition to the main hall where Jizo Bosatsu is enshrined, there are several medicinal baths within the precincts, where worshipers can freely soak in the hot springs. At Osorezan, itako, who are spiritual mediums, gather during the summer festival and autumn pilgrimage period, and they hang up their huts and pray to summon the spirits of the dead.

INFORMATION