Historic Site

Tannaiyama Shrine | A sacred site of ancient Japanese animism, with a massive rock as its object of worship [Iwate Prefecture]

In Towa-cho, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, there is a shrine that enshrines a massive rock as its sacred object, and also worships a local pioneering deity, a practice not seen in other regions. Incidentally, the title "animism" refers to the worship of non-human beings...

Aoiwa2026.05.07

Were ancient lion species found in Aomori Prefecture? Shocking research findings were published in January 2026...

"Japanese fossil tigers were actually lions." In January 2026, a shocking research finding was announced. Furthermore, the research subject was a fossil discovered at Shiriyazaki (Higashidori Village) on the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture...

NORIJUN2026.04.27

[Part 2] What was the "Mogami Yatsudate," a confederation of local lords in Dewa Province? | The Yatsudate...

Other Forces that Allied with the Mogami Eight Shields: We've looked at an overview of the Mogami Eight Shields, a coalition of local lords from Dewa Province, but these weren't the only forces that allied with Mogami Yoshimori and Date Terumune. ...

Korok with a sword2026.04.24

[Part 2] What was the "Mogami Yatsudate," a coalition of local lords in Dewa Province? | Dewa Province...

Representative Local Leaders Who Made Up the Mogami Eight Shields Now, let's take a look at the members who made up the Mogami Eight Shields. During the Tensho Mogami Rebellion, they were Yoshimori, the father of Mogami Yoshiaki, and his...

Korok with a sword2026.04.23

[Part 1] What was the "Mogami Yatsudate," a coalition of local lords in Dewa Province? | Sengoku period...

To begin with, when you think of "warlords of the Tohoku region during the Sengoku period," who comes to mind? While there are countless stories of brave and fierce generals, perhaps the first lord of the Sendai domain, Date Masamune, known as the "One-Eyed Dragon," is the one who comes to mind...

Korok with a sword2026.04.22

Chusonji Temple's Golden Hall, Hirosaki Castle, and Shayokan Hall - Historical Buildings Made from Aomori Hiba (Claude Tree) [Aomori Prefecture]

Aomori Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata) is a tree endemic to Japan, and its Japanese scientific name is Hinoki Asunaro. It grows north from the Noto Peninsula and Nikko region of Tochigi Prefecture, and up to the Oshima Peninsula in Hokkaido...

NORIJUN2026.02.25

Dainichido Bugaku, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage with a history of approximately 1,300 years | Dedication in 2026...

Located in the northeastern part of Akita Prefecture, bordering Aomori and Iwate prefectures, Ohirumemuchi Shrine is located in the Hachimantai district of Kazuno City. Every year on January 2nd, the shrine is dedicated to the important intangible cultural properties designated by the national government and UNESCO...

Aoiwa2026.02.13

Dainichido Bugaku | Bugaku with a history of approximately 1,300 years, dating back to the famous monk Gyoki [Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture]

Located in the northeastern part of Akita Prefecture, bordering Aomori and Iwate prefectures, Ohirumemuchi Shrine is located in the Hachimantai district of Kazuno City. Every year on January 2nd, the shrine is dedicated to the important intangible cultural properties designated by the national government and UNESCO...

Aoiwa2026.02.12

The legend of the goddesses of the three mountains of Tono and the "Kamitsaya Shrine" where the three goddesses are said to have separated [Iwate Prefecture]...

Tono City in Iwate Prefecture is famous as a land of folklore. It is famous for being a place where many legends, such as kappa and zashiki warashi, still live on to this day. One of the legends passed down in Tono is the "Legend of the Three Mountains of Tono and the Three Goddesses.".

Aoiwa2026.01.15

Is Enichiji Temple, founded by the high priest Tokuichi of the Hosso sect, the birthplace of Aizu Buddhist culture? [Fukuoka].

Bandai Town, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture, is located northeast of Aizuwakamatsu City, at the southern foot of Mount Bandai. Here, there is a temple called Enichiji, which once flourished as a hub of Buddhist culture in the Aizu region.

Aoiwa2026.01.07