[Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture] 4 power spots in Morioka! Introducing historical sites that history buffs should visit

The history of Morioka dates back to the distant Heian period, when Sakanoue Tamuramaro, the Great Shogun of the Great Conqueror, built Shiba Castle.

During the Nanbokucho period, the Nanbu clan of Sannohe (Sannohe Town, Aomori Prefecture), which was connected to the Kai-Genji clan, expanded its influence to the south and built Kozukata Castle, the predecessor of Morioka Castle.

In 1615 in the early Edo period, Toshinao Nanbu, the 27th generation of the Nanbu clan (the second head of the Nanbu family in Morioka), renovated Furakata Castle and built Morioka Castle, and the castle town that was formed there became the current Morioka City. It is the beginning of

Shiwa Castle Ancient Park (Shiwa Castle Ancient Park)

This ancient castle fence was built in 803 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro, the Great Shogun who surrendered Aterui, the Ezo chieftain, to defend the northernmost tip of Mutsu Province.Taga Castle, the capital of Mutsu Province (Miyagi Prefecture) It is said that the scale was comparable to that of

Discovered during excavation survey associated with expressway construction.

In 1976, an excavation survey conducted before the construction of the Tohoku Expressway revealed that the small ruins that existed up until then were the Shiba Castle ruins, and in 1983 it was certified as a nationally designated historic site.

This Shiba Castle is, so to speak, a power spot that is the foundation of the historical birth of Morioka, and is a historical site that shows that Morioka was the border between the Yamato Imperial Court and Ezo in the early Heian period.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Shiba Castle Ancient Park
• Location: 47-11 Kamikatsuma Gohei Shinden, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-658-1710
• Admission time: 9:00-17:00 (information desk, restrooms, and park are free)
• Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays
• URL: Morioka City official website

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Demon handprint at Mitsuishi Shrine (Nasukawa Town)

Mitsuishi Shrine, home of the demon handprint from which Morioka's other name, Kozukata, was derived, is located quietly in the quiet residential area of ​​Nasukawa-cho, which is home to many temples. It's a power spot.

In addition to a small shrine on the grounds, there are three huge rocks tied together with shimenawa and chains, which are said to have been blown away by the eruption of Mt. Iwate, which is where the name ``Mitsuishi Shrine'' comes from.

In fact, many tourists now give up looking for the demon's handprint because they can't see it clearly.In the photo, it is said to be located on the rock on the right where green moss grows, and although the handprint is unclear, that is the part. It is said that only moss does not grow there.

There is also a replica of the shrine from when it was still clearly visible on display, so be sure to look and compare.

Oni's handprint is the origin of "Fukukata" and "Iwate"

A long time ago, a demon called ``Rasetsu'' lived here and did bad things to the village people and travelers, so the villagers were at a loss and asked ``Mitsuishi-sama'' to exterminate it, but the god of ``Mitsuishi'' said 3. Rakshasa was tied to a large stone.

It is said that the Rakshasa surrendered and left a handprint on a large stone as proof that he would never do another bad thing and never return to this area and fled south towards Mt. Nanchang. It means that it will never come again.

Because the Rakshasa left a handprint on the rock, it came to be called "Iwate", and the villagers who were happy that the demon had escaped gathered around the Mitsuishi and danced "Sansa-sansa" to express their gratitude, which is called Sansa Odori. It is a well-established theory that the beginning of

Before the start of the Morioka Sansa Odori, which is held from August 1st every year, the Miss Sansa Odori, who are selected every year, dedicate the Sansa Odori to pray for safety during the event.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Mitsuishi Shrine
• Location: 2-1 Nasukawacho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-622-2061
• URL: Iwate Prefecture tourism portal site

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Morioka Castle Ruins Park (Morioka Castle Ruins Park)

If you visit the castle town of Morioka, this is definitely a historical site that you should definitely visit.

There is no castle tower or turret, and all that remains are the stone walls, the castle's territory, and the pond in the moat ruins, but if you take a walk, you will see that it was the castle of the Nanbu domain, a large domain that was said to be ``Southern territory until the crescent moon turns round.'' I feel the style.

It was developed as "Iwate Park" in 1906, and was given the nickname "Morioka Castle Ruins Park" in 2006, the 100th anniversary of its opening, and is loved by Morioka citizens as a famous spot for cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall. .

Furthermore, Morioka City is aiming to restore Morioka Castle by collecting materials such as photographs and drawings of the castle tower.

Pedestal of the bronze statue of Lieutenant Risho Nanbu (Ohonmaru ruins)

Before the Pacific War, there was a bronze statue of Lieutenant Toshiyoshi Nambu, the 42nd head of the Nambu family, who died in the Russo-Japanese War while active in the Russo-Japanese War, but it was donated under the order to collect metals during the war, and is still in its original state. Only the pedestal remains.

Visit the Ishikawa Takuboku poetry monument, the Miyazawa Kenji poetry monument, and the Nitobe Inazo monument on the castle ruins.

There are many monuments at the Morioka Castle ruins, and you can experience the history of Morioka by visiting them.

Ishikawa Takuboku poem monument (Ninomaru ruins)

This monument commemorates Takuboku Ishikawa, a poet from Morioka.

It is located on the site of Ninomaru, where the young Takuboku, who discovered his interest in literature, slipped out of school to read books, and wrote a poem about his state of mind.“Lying on the grass of the castle of the undiscovered, fifteen hearts were sucked into the sky.”There is a famous song engraved on it.

Kenji Miyazawa Poetry Monument (Former Prefectural Library Square)

Kenji Miyazawa was born in Hanamaki, but attended Morioka Advanced Agriculture and Forestry School (currently Iwate University Faculty of Agriculture).

engraved on the monument“Kana and the old tapings...The river and the trees on the banks are green, and the town is quietly twilight.”This poem is a literary poem written in August 1930, one month before Kenji passed away.

INFORMATION

Facility name: Morioka Castle Ruins Park (Iwate Park)
Location: 1-37, Maru, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number: 019-681-0722 (NPO Midori no Counseling Office)
URL: Morioka Castle Ruins Park official website

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Sakurayama Shrine (Uchimaru)

Sakurayama Shrine was built in 1749 by Toshimi Nanbu, the 33rd lord of the Morioka domain and the 7th lord of the Morioka domain, and is still worshiped by the citizens of Morioka as the general guardian of the Nanbu domain.

The current main shrine, worship hall, and shrine gate were built in 1899, and have been watching over Morioka for over 120 years.

The deities enshrined are Mitsuyuki, the first head of the Nanbu family, Nobunao, the 26th head (first lord) of the Nambu clan, Toshinao, his eldest son and the 27th head (second lord), and the 36th head (11th lord of the Morioka clan). ) is enshrined here.

Morioka Domain's talismanic rock "Eboshi Rock"

Eboshiiwa, located at the back of Sakurayama Shrine, is a large rock that was discovered when Toshinao, the 27th head of the Morioka clan (first lord of the Morioka domain), excavated the surrounding area when building Morioka Castle.

There was another shrine at that location before it was dug, and the rock is from a sacred area.Morioka Domain's "Treasure Stone"It is enshrined as.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Sakurayama Shrine
• Location: 1-42 Morioka City Maru, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-622-2061
• Business hours: 9:00-20:30 (Sanshuden usage hours)
• URL: Sakurayama Shrine official website

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summary

There are other representative power spots in Morioka."Morioka Hachimangu Shrine"or"The 500 Arhats of Hoonji Temple"There are many such places, but in this article, we will focus on the historical sites that formed the foundation of what Morioka is today.

When you come to Morioka, please stop by and feel the history of Morioka, Michinoku's Little Kyoto.