"Place names with 'to' in them" from 1 to 9 [Hachinohe and Kunohe Edition] The mystery of the arrangement where only the positions of 8 and 9 have different patterns

It is believed that the place names containing " To " in the former Nanbu Domain, Nukanobu District , which stretches from Aomori Prefecture to Iwate Prefecture , were lined up from south to north along the Oshu Kaido road, up to Shichinohe.

However, Hachinohe and Kunohe are located south of Shichinohe, contrary to this rule, and Kunohe is located in Iwate Prefecture, next to Ichinohe and Ninohe, separated by a mountain

There are no historical documents that explain why the structure was arranged this way, and it remains a mystery to this day

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

What is the mystery behind the place names with "to" in them, from Ichinohe to Kunohe? Exploring the origins of the numerical place names scattered throughout the former Nanbu territory!

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32507

The area stretching from the Sanpachi-Kamikita region of Aomori Prefecture to northern Iwate Prefecture was once the vast territory of the Nanbu domain, known as Nukanobu. Within this region, there are place names beginning with "To" (he), numbered from Ichinohe to Kunohe. These "To" characters, which are not found in other regions, remain in the names of cities, towns, and villages to this day, with the exception of Shinohe. However, there are various theories about their origin, and the truth is not fully understood. In this article, we will introduce various theories about the origin of place names beginning with "To." The "To" characters scattered throughout the former Nanbu domain...

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Hachinohe, a city that has existed since the Jomon period

Hachinohe City faces the Pacific Ocean and is currently the second most populous core city in Aomori Prefecture (approximately 260,000 people)

The city has numerous Jomon period archaeological sites, suggesting that it flourished as an Emishi settlement even before the arrival of the central government during the Heian period

The first mention of this name in historical records is in the account of Nanbu Mitsuyuki , who was granted Nukabe District as a reward for his military achievements in the Oshu War, in which Minamoto no Yoritomo destroyed the Oshu Fujiwara clan, landing in Hachinohe.

His third son, Sanenaga, is considered the founder of the Nejo Nanbu clan (also known as the Hachinohe Nanbu clan or Hachinohe clan), but it was the fourth head of the family, Moroyuki, who built a castle in Hachinohe Nejo and settled there.

Nejo Castle ruins, a national historic site

During the Nanboku-cho period, Nanbu Moriyuki , who entered Hachinohe from Kai Province , established his castle there and is said to have named it " Nejo " (根城), meaning " base castle, " with the hope that it would be "the foundation castle for the Southern Court."

For approximately 300 years, until the Nejo Nanbu clan was relocated to Tono City in Iwate Prefecture during the Edo period , it boasted its imposing presence as the central castle of the Hachinohe region.

Many of the structures at the current castle ruins, including the main hall in the inner citadel, have been faithfully restored to their historical form. The site also houses the Hachinohe City Museum, and there are free volunteer guides on hand to provide tours

Please note that there is a fee to enter the main castle, and admission is limited to certain times

Miyagi Park (Hachinohe Castle Ruins)

In 1664 (Kanbun 4), the second lord of theMoriokaNanbu Shigeno, died of illness, and since there was no heir, the Morioka domain was divided by the Edo shogunate, and the Hachinohe domain was established as an independent domain with a stipend of 20,000 koku.

The first lord of thedomain, Nanbu Naofusa, did not use his own castle, but instead named a building that had previously been used by the Morioka domainHachinohe Castleand made it his residence. However, it was a castle consisting only of a palace and a gate, without a keep.

It is said that the name Sanpachi Castle comes from " Hachinohe Castle in Sannohe District ," and is also a play on words, as the eastern part of Aomori Prefecture is called " Sanpachi Kamikita ."

Located in the center of Hachinohe city, it has an observation deck and a grassy plaza within the city and is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot

Hachinohe Castle Corner Palace Front Gate

The main gate of the Hachinohe City Cultural and Educational Center Nanbu Kaikan, located near Sanpachi Castle Park, is the main gate of the "Kakugoten" ( corner palace ) from the feudal period . Built to reflect the status of the domain, it is one of the largest castle gates in Japan.

"ridge gate), features a gabled roof covered with copper plates in the style of tochigi (a type of cypress bark), supported by four thick pillars that hold up the ridge beam connected by a crossbeam. Its imposing appearance is the only thing remaining at the castle site that retains the appearance of Hachinohe Castle.

Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine, the main shrine of the Nanbu clan

The origins of the Hachiman Shrine are said to be that "Nanbu Mitsuyuki brought the sacred object of the Hachiman Shrine in Nanbu-go, Kai Province, and built it in the Kushibiki area, praying for lasting military fortune," and it is believed to have been built during the Kenkyu era (1190-1199).

Within its vast grounds stand sacred cedar trees hundreds of years old and the main hall, which is a designated Important Cultural Property. The temple also possesses treasures such as the national treasures, the red-laced armor and the white-laced hem armor

The town of Kushibiki, where the Hachiman Shrine is located, was ruled by the Kushibiki clan, who were descendants of the Shinohe clan. It is also called " Shinohe Hachiman Shrine ," and there is a theory that " this is the legendary Shinohe ," but this is not certain.

The last place name with "to" in it is Kunohe

Located in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture, even further south than Hachinohe, this mountain village, with few plains, has houses clustered along the Setsukinai River , which flows north to south

It is said that Yukitsura, the sixth son of Nanbu Mitsuyuki , took Ibonai in Kunohe County as his territory and adopted the name Kunohe, but there are also theories that the Ogasawara or Nikaido clans were the founders, so it is not certain.

When people think of the Kunohe clan,KunoheMasazane is the most famous, and there is a theory that he was granted Fukuoka (present-day Ninohe City) for his military achievements and moved from present-day Kunohe Village to Kunohe Castle in Ninohe City.

Roadside and town stations where you can enjoy Kunohe

If you want to enjoy local specialties from Kunohe and gourmet food such as regional flavored gelato, we recommend the roadside station Orizume " Ododekan " located at the foot of Mt. Orizume

The village sells local specialties such as sweet tea and merchandise featuring " King of Chicken, " a local mascot born from broiler chickens, which are the top producer in the prefecture . At the restaurant " Orizume ," you can enjoy the local dish " Hittsumi ."

Additionally, you can purchase souvenirs such as sweet tea, grape juice, mixed grains, kakke (a type of dried fish cake), and Nanbu senbei (rice crackers) at the town station " Masazane-kan " located on the village's main street , so why not stop by for a break?

summary

This concludes our series introducing the unique place names in Japan that include the character "戸" (to ), numbered from one to nine

Blogs and other sites have introduced journeys that visit these place names with "to" in them in order, starting from Ichinohe to Kunohe, including the four houses whose locations are unclear, much like a pilgrimage

Why not try touring the ancient Nukabe district, visiting each of the areas from Ichinohe to Kunohe in order, like a pilgrimage to sacred sites in an anime, and experience the equestrian culture of Tohoku?

Furthermore, the "sacred sites" that you visit with place names that include the character "to" are often located in places that are inconvenient to reach by public transportation, so it is recommended that you make the pilgrimage by car, such as your own car or a rental car

Special feature on "place names with 'to' in them" from 1 to 9

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

What is the mystery behind the place names with "to" in them, from Ichinohe to Kunohe? Exploring the origins of the numerical place names scattered throughout the former Nanbu territory!

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32507

The area stretching from the Sanpachi-Kamikita region of Aomori Prefecture to northern Iwate Prefecture was once the vast territory of the Nanbu domain, known as Nukanobu. Within this region, there are place names beginning with "To" (he), numbered from Ichinohe to Kunohe. These "To" characters, which are not found in other regions, remain in the names of cities, towns, and villages to this day, with the exception of Shinohe. However, there are various theories about their origin, and the truth is not fully understood. In this article, we will introduce various theories about the origin of place names beginning with "To." The "To" characters scattered throughout the former Nanbu domain...

read more

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Place names containing "to" from 1 to 9 [Ichinohe and Ninohe edition] Ichinohe is the first town with Jomon ruins, but why is the ruins of Kunohe Castle located in Ninohe?

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32842

The vast area stretching from northern Iwate Prefecture to eastern Aomori Prefecture is known as Nukanobu, and within it there were nine place names containing the character "to." While some say the history of this area dates back to the Oshu Fujiwara clan, others say it dates back even earlier, and these place names remain in the names of cities, towns, and villages to this day. In the coming articles, we will introduce the origins of these names, the history of the character "to," and the current state of each "to" town. First, we will introduce Ichinohe Town and Ninohe City in Iwate Prefecture. https://jp.neft.a...

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Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

"Place names with 'to' in them" from 1 to 9 [Mito Edition] Mito, the birthplace of the Nanbu clan, is a city of famous places, historical sites and cats

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32903

Sannohe County, located north of northern Iwate Prefecture on National Route 4 and crossing the border with Aomori Prefecture, is the birthplace of the Sannohe Nanbu clan and a region with deep ties to the Morioka Domain. In recognition of his military achievements in the Oshu War, in which Minamoto no Yoritomo defeated the Oshu Fujiwara clan in the early Kamakura period, Nukanobu County was awarded to Nanbu Mitsuyuki of Kai Province. As a result, the Nanbu clan moved to Sannohe County (Sannohe Town and Nanbu Town) and made it their base. Their family temple and ancestral graves remain here to this day. https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32507 "Until the crescent moon is full, the Nanbu territory...".

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Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

"Place names with 'to' in them" from 1 to 9 [Yonohe Edition] Where was the legendary Yonohe? Explore the mysterious Yonohe!

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32940

Of the place names containing "to" (戸), only "Shinohe" (四戸) no longer exists. While there are various theories as to why this place and its name have disappeared, none can be definitively declared as the established theory. However, it has been confirmed that a branch of the Nanbu clan, the Shinohe clan, did exist, and it is certain that the place name Shinohe existed somewhere within the vast Nukanobu district. This article will introduce some of the most plausible theories regarding the location of Shinohe, one of the few remaining place names containing "to." [https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32507 Nanbu clan...].

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Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

"Place names with 'to' in them" from 1 to 9 [Gonohe and Rokunohe edition] Two places with a modest impression but a deep charm

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32966

From the north of Sannohe County to the south of Kamikita County in Aomori Prefecture, National Route 4 connects Gonohe and Rokunohe from the south. Gonohe is located in a mountainous area with abundant forests. Since the Keicho era, the Kimura clan has ruled as the Gonohe magistrates of the Nanbu Domain for generations. While there is no castle, the remains of the magistrate's office remain on the grounds of the Gonohe Town Library. To the north, Rokunohe is a region known for its fertile farmland in the Oirase River basin, which flows out of Lake Towada, and its mild climate with little winter snowfall, making it a pleasant place to live. https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32507 Is it true that Gonohe was directly controlled by the Kamakura shogunate?.

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Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

"Place names with 'To' in them" from 1 to 9 [Shichinohe Edition] The northernmost To, where the image of a horse breeding area remains strong

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/33006

Of the nine "To" towns, Shichinohe is the northernmost, and even today, horse ranches dot the area. Today, thoroughbred racehorses, rather than military or farm horses, are bred here, making this town the one with the "To" character most strongly associated with horse breeding. During the Heisei era's Great Merger, the former Shichinohe Town, home to the ruins of Shichinohe Castle, and the former Tenmabayashi Village, home to Jomon ruins, merged to form the current Shichinohe Town, with the town hall's main office located in Tenmabayashi Village. Shichinohe-Towada Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen line is located exactly halfway between the two towns, and in front of the station are the Aeon Shichinohe-Towada Ekimae Store and a roadside station...

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Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

"Place names with 'to' in them" from 1 to 9 [Hachinohe and Kunohe Edition] The mystery of the arrangement where only the positions of 8 and 9 have different patterns

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/33084

Place names with "to" (to) in the area formerly known as Nukanobu County, Nanbu Domain, stretching from Aomori Prefecture to Iwate Prefecture, are thought to have been aligned from south to north along the Oshu Kaido road up to Shichinohe. However, Hachinohe and Kunohe are aligned south of Shichinohe, reversing this pattern. Kunohe is located in Iwate Prefecture, next to Ichinohe and Ninohe, separated by a mountain. There are no historical documents documenting why this arrangement occurred, and it remains a mystery to this day. https://jp.neft.asia/archives/32507 Hachinohe's unique history dating back to the Jomon period...

DaiwaConsilio

I'm a former Edoite (Tokyoite) who loves Morioka and the six prefectures of Tohoku, and I'm a big fan of history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and choral singing.
I'll introduce you to interesting things, delicious food, and great places in Tohoku!