Yamagata Prefecture

To the Sea of Japan? To the Pacific Ocean? The Sakaida Watershed, a point where water from the Ou Mountains diverges, can be seen in the lowlands...

Mogami Town in Yamagata Prefecture is located near the border with Miyagi Prefecture. In the Sakaida district of this town, the water flow from the Ou Mountains splits east and west, eventually flowing into the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean—a point of destiny for the water….

Aoiwa2026.09.13

Various types of pickled vegetables (Part 2)

[Part 2] The Pickling Culture of the Six Tohoku Prefectures to Survive the Harsh Winter | Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima

This is the second installment of our special feature on pickles from the Tohoku region, focusing on Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima prefectures. Pickles are one of the dishes that clearly reflect regional characteristics, but their history isn't necessarily all from ancient times. ...

Korok with a sword2026.09.08

Traditional wooden Japanese temple with a curved roof surrounded by green trees; two visitors at the entrance.

A pilgrimage to three locations in Yamagata Prefecture known as the "Dewa 100 Kannon," featuring 33 Kannon statues. [Yamagata Prefecture]

The origin of the 33 Kannon pilgrimage in Yamagata Prefecture is said to be the "Mogami 33 Kannon Pilgrimage," which began during the Muromachi period. This pilgrimage, which is said to have started about 580 years ago, continues...

NORIJUN2026.07.01

Mountain worship of the Dewa Sanzan mountains | Praying for present happiness, peace in the afterlife, and rebirth [Yamagata Prefecture]

The Dewa Sanzan is a collective name for the three mountains of Yamagata Prefecture, with Mount Gassan (1,984m above sea level) as its main peak, along with Mount Yudono and Mount Haguro. Mount Haguro is known for...

NORIJUN2026.06.26

Konpira Barrel Floating Ceremony | A traditional folk event in Yamagata Prefecture to pray for protection against water-related disasters on the Mogami River

Yamagata Prefecture has long been blessed by the Mogami River. However, nature, while providing blessings, also brings unavoidable disasters. In Yamagata Prefecture, along the Mogami River basin...

Aoiwa2026.06.13

Sasano Ittobori's "Otaka Poppo" and "Kodai Poppo"

Sasano Ittobori and Otaka Poppo | Wood carving techniques and local toys born in Yonezawa [Yamagata Prefecture, Yonezawa...].

What is Sasano Ittobori? Sasano Ittobori is a wood carving technique that has been traditionally passed down among farmers in the Sasano district of Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. According to local tradition, it dates back to 806 (Daido 1)...

Aoiwa2026.06.04

Iwatani Juhachiya Kannon, a folk deity's altar, "Onakama" (Collection of Nakayama Town Historical and Folk Museum)

The spirit medium "Onakama" and her head temple "Iwatani Juhachiya Kannon-do" in Yamagata Prefecture

What is an Onakama? An "Onakama" is a folk shaman (fugeki) who performs spiritual mediumship, incantations, and divination, primarily in the Mogami and Murayama regions of Yamagata Prefecture. They are similar to Itako and Mikosama in other parts of the Tohoku region...

Aoiwa2026.05.29

Japanese title card: 'What was the Mogami Hachiman Alliance of Dewa Province? Part 2: Hachiman's Allies and the Trigger for the Tensho Mogami Rebellion' with decorative gold cloud patterns and a dark map silhouette in the background, indicating a historical article introduction.

[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

What are the Mogami Eight Shields? [Part 2]

[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

What are the Mogami Eight Shields? [Part 1]

[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

To the Sea of ​​Japan? To the Pacific Ocean? The Sakaida Watershed, a point where water from the Ou Mountains diverges, can be seen in the lowlands...