What is the "Yamasoshi Stone" a folk tale that is passed down in Hiraizumi? The setting of the story is also detailed [Iwate Prefecture]

Do you know the folk tale ``Yamabuseishi,'' which is set in the basin of the Togouchi River that flows through Hiraizumi

the Otoko Falls (Kotogataki) and Onna Falls (Biwagataki) that still remain on the Togouchi River .

What is the synopsis of Yamabushi Stone

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The synopsis of the folk tale "Yamabuseishi" is as follows.

The Tokainaigawa River was flowing about half a mile west of Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi.

One day, as a young mountain ascetic walks along the Togawachi River, he meets a beautiful woman who is troubled by her sandals being washed away by the river. The woman then asked her to carry her to Kotogataki, a little higher.

As the mountain ascended to carry the woman back to Kotogataki, she noticed a scale growing on her arm. The woman's true identity was a monster living in Biwagataki, but she came to meet her husband who lives in Kotogataki.

The woman warned the Yamabushi that if he told anyone about this, he would be turned to stone, so when the Yamabushi looked around, he saw villagers who had been turned to stone lined up around the basin of the waterfall.

The next day, the mountain asses went to Kotogataki with the villagers and desperately chanted the sutras to defeat the youkai. Thanks to this, the youkai of Kotogataki were defeated and turned into stones, but the lower half of the mountain ascetics also became stones.

The mountain ascetics were unable to move, but now they are carried over to Biwagataki, with the villagers trying to confront a female youkai. The mountain ascetics defeated the monsters of Biwagataki, but the magical power of the monsters made them turn into stones themselves.

Even now, when the water in the Togouchi River dries up, it is said that two monster stones can be seen from the bottom of the river.

What is the current state of Otoko Falls (Kotogataki)?

The old tale of Yamabushi Stone says that when the water in the Togouchi River dries up, stones representing monsters can be seen, but what are the current conditions of the Togouchi River, Kotogataki Falls, and Biwagataki Falls?

Kotogataki Falls is now called ``Otoko Falls'' Otaki Bridge is just above the bridge, and there is a signpost and information board, so you won't have any trouble finding your way there.

You can also park your car in the plaza with information boards. However, as you get closer to the waterfall, the cliff is carved out and the area in front of it becomes full of bushes, so although you can admire Otaki from a distance, it may be a little difficult to get close to the waterfall and look for the monster stone. Is it?

We recommend sitting in a safe place to avoid slipping and imagining the battle between Yamabushi and Yokai.

Otaki＜Information＞

• Name: Otaki (Kotogataki)
• Address: 37 Hiraizumi Hirotaki, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate 029-4102

Google Map

What is the current status of Onna Falls (Biwaga Falls)?

On the other hand, Biwagataki Falls is now called ``Onna Falls,'' It can be said that the waterfall itself is characterized by its smaller scale compared to Otaki.

The area around Ontaki is equipped with a pavilion and parking lot for sightseeing, as well as a sidewalk, so it can be said that it is easier to access than Otaki.

also ``The Legend of Otaki Onna Falls,'' and there is a folk tale about Yamabushi Stone, so there are probably many people who read the story of Yamabushi Stone for the first time here.

Although both Onadaki and Otaki are now well-developed as tourist spots, at the time the folk tales were written, there were no lights, and it is easy to imagine that the people in the area would have been rumored to be inhabited by ghosts. Masu.

Why not get a feel for the atmosphere in which mountain priests and yokai lived from the Otaki and Ontaki waterfalls?

Onadaki＜Information＞

• Name: Onna Falls (Biwaga Falls)
• Address: Togouchi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture, 029-4102

Google Map

summary

The folk tale ``Yamabushi Stone'' is about a young Yamabushi who tries desperately to exterminate a monster that has settled in Kotogataki and Biwagataki in the Togouchi River basin by chanting sutras, but he himself is turned into stone. However, I found out that Kotogataki and Biwagataki can still be visited as Otoko Falls and Onna Falls, respectively.

While thinking about the mysterious folk tales, be sure to visit the Otaki and Onna Falls, which have become natural tourist spots.