This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
If you head north from the intersection in front of the courthouse where the Ishiwari-zakura cherry tree is located on Chuo-dori in the center of Morioka City, you will see Tokenji Temple along the road. Behind this temple is a shrine called Mitsuishi Jinja
"Mitsuiwa-sama,"there are three gigantic granite rocks adorned with sacred ropes. Believe it or not, these massive rocks are said to be the origin of the name "Iwate."
The legend of Mitsuishi-sama who punished the demon
Long ago, before this area was known as Iwate or Morioka, there was a demon called "Rasetsu-ki" that committed evil deeds against the residents and travelers in the surrounding area
The people, utterly exasperated by the evil deeds, prayed to Mitsuishi-sama, the deity of Mitsuishi Shrine, "Please punish the wicked demon." Mitsuishi-sama granted their wish and bound the Rakshasa demon to three large rocks on the shrine grounds
The astonished demon resigned itself to its fate and promised "never to cause trouble again" and "never to set foot in this land again."As proof, it left its handprint on a large rock and fled in the direction of Mount Nansho (a mountain on the border between Shizukuishi Town in Iwate District and Yahaba Town in Shiwa District, Iwate Prefecture).
The residents chanted "Come on, let's dance!" around the large rock and danced in celebration of the demons' departure.
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
It is said that the handprint of the demon left on the rock at that time became the origin of the name "Iwate." Since Iwate Prefecture did not exist at that time, it is thought to have become the origin of Iwate County or Iwate County
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 on this land again," is the origin of the name "Kozukata."
It means, " I won't be coming over here anymore ."
Kozukata is a term that refers to the area around present-day Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture, and it has been used for the past 570 years. The castle that originally stood in this area was called "Kozukata Castle," and it is believed that the Nanbu clan built Morioka Castle on the foundation of that castle
Even today, the name "Kozukata" is often used as an elegant name for Morioka
Come on, let's dance the "Sansa Dance"
The part where , after the ogre has left, the residents, overjoyed, start dancing, saying, "Come on, let's dance !"
It is said that the phrase "Come on, let's dance!" transformed into "Sansa dance," which became the origin of the Morioka Sansa Dance, asummer tradition in Morioka and one of the six major festivals in the Tohoku region
By the way, what is the origin of the name "Morioka"?
Around 1592, when Nanbu Toshinao, the 27th head of the Nanbu clan, who was originally based at Sannohe Castle (present-day Sannohe-cho, Sannohe-gun, Aomori Prefecture),南部利直moved to this area, he disliked the name "Furaigata" and changed it to "Morigaoka." Later, "Morigaoka" became corrupted and came to be called "Morioka."
Then, two generations after Nanbu Toshinao, Nanbu Shigenobu , the 29th head of the Nanbu clan, composed the following linked verse with Seisan Hoin, the 42nd head priest of Eifuku-ji Temple (Shimoyonai, Morioka City), a Shingon Esoteric Buddhism temple, during the Genroku period of Edo (around 1680-1709 )南部重信
The dew of the flowers that bloom for so many springs is like a treasure trove of jewels in Okayama
The phrase "Morioka" in this linked verse was translated as "Morioka," and the name "Morioka" became established. Later, the name of the domain itself was also changed from "Nanbu" 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 root of "Iwate," "Furukata," and "Sansa Odori," is located close to the center of Morioka City and is easily accessible, so you might want to consider it 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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