[Iwate Prefecture] Is a rock shaped like a demon's hand? Mitsuishi Shrine, full of Iwate’s roots

In the center of Iwate Prefecture, if you go north from the Jujutsu-mae intersection where Ishiwarizakura is located on Chuo-dori Street, you will see Token-ji Temple along the road. Behind this temple is a shrine called Mitsuishi Shrine

``Mitsuishi-sama,'' there are three huge granite rocks strung with shimenawa ropes. It is said to have become the roots of

The legend of Mitsuishi-sama who punished demons

Once upon a time, when this area was not yet called Iwate or Morioka, there was a demon called Rasetsu Oni

The people, who were completely troubled by the evil deed, prayed to Mitsuishi Mitsuishi-sama heard his wish and tied the Rakshasa demon to three large rocks in the shrine.

Shocked, the Rakshatsu demon vowed to ``never do anything bad again'' and ``never to set foot on this land again,'' and as proof of his promise, he left a handprint on a large rock on Mt. They fled in the direction of the mountain on the border with Gun Yahaba Town.

"Let's dance!" around the large rock and danced to celebrate the exodus of the demon.

The legend of Mitsuishi-sama is filled with the roots of various things.

Did you understand that this legend contains the roots of various things that represent Iwate?

We will break down and explain each legend below!

The demon's promissory note is "Iwate"

In the legend, the Rasetsu demon who was punished by Mitsuishi-sama promised to ``never do anything wrong again'' and ``never set foot on this land again,'' and left a handprint on a large rock as proof of his promise.

of the demon left on the ``rock'' at this time became the origin of the name `` Iwate.'' At this time, Iwate Prefecture didn't exist yet, so it became Iwate County or Iwate County.

It seems that I can still see what looks like demon handprints, but I don't know how true it is.

The promise to never set foot on this land again is the “uncome”

one of the promises made by demons , ``never to set foot on this land again,'' is the origin of `` Kozukata.''

It means, I won't come here again .

Kozukata is a word 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 existed in this area was called ``Fukikata Castle,'' it is said that the Nanbu clan built ``Morioka Castle'' ``Fukikata Castle.''

Even now, the name ``Kozukata'' is often used as the official name of Morioka.

Come on, let's dance "Sansa Odori"

After the demon disappears, the happy residents ``Come on, let 's dance!''

This ``Saasa Odori'' transformed into ``Sansa Odori'' became the Morioka Sansa Odori, a summer tradition in Morioka and of the six major festivals in Tohoku . It is said that there is.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

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[Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture] What is the history and types of Morioka Sansa Odori? The Guinness World Records Taiko Drum Parade...

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/14812

Morioka Sansa Odori, which is synonymous with summer in Iwate, is the earliest of the ``Six Great Festivals of Tohoku'', scheduled from August 1st to 4th, and is the first festival to liven up summer in Tohoku. This time, we will introduce the history and types of Morioka Sansa Odori in detail. Origin of Sansa Odori Sansa Odori is said to have its roots in ``extermination of demons.'' Long ago, a demon called "Rasetsu" was doing evil deeds in this area, and the troubled people prayed to the god of Mitsuishi Shrine to exterminate the demon. Then the god heard his wish and captured Rakshasa and tied him to a large rock (Mitsuishi) in the temple grounds. The captured Rakshasa will never do evil again...

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Mitsuishi Shrine＜Information＞

• Name: Mitsuishi Shrine
• Address: 2-1 Nasukawacho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, 020-0016
• Phone number: 019-662-4424
• Official URL: Iwate Prefecture Official Tourism Site Iwate Travel – Mitsuishi Shrine

Google Map

By the way, what is the origin of the name "Morioka"?

Around 1592, when Toshinao Nanbu, the 27th generation moved to this area, he disliked the name ``Fukakuta'' and changed the name to ``Morigaoka.'' Renamed. After that, "Morigaoka" came to be called "Morioka".

Two generations after Toshinao Nanbu, Shigenobu Nanbu, the 29th generation , created the Seisan Hoin of the 42nd generation of Eifuku-ji Temple (Shimomenai, Morioka City), a Shingon I recited the renga as follows.

No matter how many springs, Okayama is filled with dew of flowers and treasures.

Morioka'' was established by combining ``Mori Okayama'' in this renga `Morioka' ', and later the domain name itself was changed from ``Nanbu'' to ``Morioka'' and the ``Morioka Domain'' was born.

With the abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures during the Meiji period, the Morioka Domain became Morioka Prefecture, and in 1889, with the implementation of the city system, the current Morioka City was born.

By the way, Eifukuji Temple, which led to the birth of ``Morioka,'' still exists today under the mountain name ``Hojumori Okayama.''

Eifukuji <Information>

• Name: Hojumori Okayama Eifukuji Temple
• Address: 2-1-1 Shimomenai, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture 020-0003
• Phone number: 019-662-4424
• Official URL: -

Google Map

summary

This is the origin of place names that we don't usually pay attention to, but if you get curious and look into it, you'll find it quite interesting.

I don't think anything has a name without a reason, so if you're curious about something, do some research and you might discover something new.

Mitsuishi Shrine , the root of Iwate, Furakata, and Sansa Odori, is close to the center of Morioka city and has easy access, so it might be a good idea to include it as one of your options when planning a trip to Morioka. Hmm!