This site is a web media that delivers all kinds of trivia, from sightseeing and gourmet spots in the six Tohoku prefectures to local, customs, and history.
In the center of Morioka city, if you head north from the intersection in front of the courthouse where the Ishiwari Sakura tree is located on Chuo-dori, you will see Tokenji Temple along the road. Behind this temple is a shrine called Mitsuishi Shrine
"Mitsuishi-sama," features three huge granite rocks with sacred ropes strung around them within its grounds. It is said that these rocks are the origin of the name "Iwate."
The legend of Mitsuishi-sama who punished the demon
Long ago, when this area was not yet called Iwate or Morioka, there was a demon called "Rakshas Oni"
The people were so troubled by this evil deed that they prayed to Mitsuishi-sama,
The astonished Rakshasa demon resigned himself to the situation and promised and never to set foot on this land againAs proof of this, he left his handprint on a large rock and fled in the direction of Mount Nansho (a mountain on the border between Shizukuishi Town, Iwate County, and Yahaba Town, Shiwa County, Iwate Prefecture).
The residents gathered around the huge rock "Come on, dance!" , and danced to celebrate the ogre's flight.
The legend of Mitsuishi-sama, where the roots of many things lie
Did you know that this legend is filled with the roots of many things that represent Iwate?
Below we will break down and explain each legend!
The demon's promissory note is "Iwate"
In the legend, the Rakshasa demon, who was punished by Mitsuishi-sama, promised never to do any mischief again and never to set foot on this land again, and left his handprint on the rock as proof of this
The large rock at Mitsuishi Shrine
the handprints left by the demon on the rock at this time became the origin of the name "Iwate."
Apparently, you can still see what appears to be an oni's handprint, but I don't know if that's true
The promise to never set foot on this land again is "Furakata"
It is said that one of the promises made by the demon, "Never to set foot in this land again," is name "Kuzukata."
It means won't this way anymore
Kozukata is a term that has been used for the past 570 years to refer to the area around present-day Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. The castle that originally stood in this area was called "Kozukata Castle," it is said that built "Morioka Castle"
Even today, the name "Kozukata" is often used as an elegant name for Morioka
Come on, let's dance the "Sansa Dance"
After the demon has gone away, the happy residents start dancing, shouting, "Come on, dance
this "Saa saa odore" evolved into "Sansa odore," and this isthe Morioka Sansa Odori,a summer tradition in Morioka and one of the six major festivals in the Tohoku region, was born.
By the way, what is the origin of the name "Morioka"?
Around 1592, when the 27th head of the Nanbu clan, Toshinao moved to this area, he disliked the name "Furakata" and changed it to "Morigaoka." Later, "Morigaoka" became corrupted and became known as "Morioka."
Two generations after Nanbu Toshinao, Nanbu Shigenobu , the 29th head of the Nanbu composed the following linked verse with Seisan Hoin, the 42nd abbot of Eifuku-ji Temple (Shimoyonai, Morioka City), a Shingon Esoteric Buddhist temple, during the Genroku period of the Edo period (around 1680-1709) :
The dew of the flowers that bloom for so many springs is like a treasure trove of jewels in Okayama
"Morioka" by substituting "Morioka" for "Morioka in this renga poem , and later the domain name itself was changed from "Nambu" to "Morioka," and the "Morioka Domain" was born.
During the Meiji period, the feudal domains were abolished and prefectures were established, and Morioka Domain became Morioka Prefecture. In 1889, the city ordinance was enacted, and the current Morioka City was born
By the way, Eifuku-ji Temple, which gave birth to Morioka, still exists today under the mountain name "Hoju Morioka-san."
Eifukuji <Information>
Name: Hojumori Okayama Eifukuji Temple
Address: 2-1-1 Shimoyona, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, 020-0003
Phone number: 019-662-4424
Official URL: -
Google Map
summary
The origins of place names are something we don't usually pay much attention to, but if you get curious and look into it, you'll find that they're quite interesting
I don't think anything gets a name for no reason, so if you're curious about something, do some research and you might discover something new
Mitsuishi Shrine the origin of Iwate, Furukata and Sansa Odori, is close to the center of Morioka city and is easily accessible, so it might be worth considering as one of your options when planning a trip to Morioka!
Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs.
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