Aoiwa

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.

List of Aoiwa articles

Tradition/Customs

Myoken Shrine, where the legend of the fierce battle between dogs and raccoons remains, remains of the "Legend of Benbekotaro" [Yamagata Prefecture]

In Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, there is a folk tale called "Benbeko Taro Legend," which can be said to be the Yamagata version of the famous "Hayataro Legend (Shippei Taro Legend)" folk tale from Nagano and Shizuoka prefectures. To summarize...

Aoiwa2023.11.17

Lanterns at the main gate of Zuiganji Temple

historic site

A report on the local strolling of the temple at Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima! [Miyagi Prefecture]

A nighttime prayer event will be held at Zuiganji Temple, a national treasure in Matsushima-cho, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi Prefecture, from October 28th to November 19th, 2023. I actually visited the site on November 10th the other day...

Aoiwa2023.11.15

The Mogami family crest at the entrance to Kozenji Temple

great man

Kozenji Temple, the family temple of Mogami Yoshimitsu, which was the largest plaza of the Mogami family, with 570,000 koku [Mountain...

Kozenji Temple, the family temple of Mogami Yoshiaki, the feudal lord of Dewa Province (present-day Yamagata Prefecture) who built the largest territory in the country from the Sengoku period to the Edo period, is located in Teppo-cho, in the center of Yamagata City.

Aoiwa2023.11.08

Sumo wrestler statue on the right side (southeast) of the main hall of the temple

Power spot

Is there a statue of a sumo wrestler crying at night? The family temple of Mogami Yoshimitsu's daughter: legend passed down in Sensouji Temple [...

Mysterious legends exist all over Japan, and one such story exists right here at Senshoji Temple in the center of Yamagata City. This time, we'll be looking at the "Legend of the Night-Crying Sumo Wrestler Statue" at Senshoji Temple...

Aoiwa2023.10.30

Kanzeji Temple (Iwaya where Onibaba lived)

Power spot

The legend of Adachigahara's demon woman. It was a Hitokowa ghost story with a sad human drama! ...

There is a legend that there was a demon woman attacking travelers in Adachigahara, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. It is a famous story nationwide, and is a performance of Kabuki and puppet joruri under the name "Oshu Adachihara"...

Aoiwa2023.10.27

historic site

There is also a castle with a castle tower in Miyagi! Shiraishi Castle, the castle of Katakura Kagetsuna, the senior retainer of the Date family [...

Famous castles in the Tohoku region include Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture, Aizuwakamatsu Castle in Fukushima Prefecture, and Sendai Castle in Miyagi Prefecture! ...I would like to say that, but unfortunately there is no castle tower existing at Sendai Castle. But that's why...

Aoiwa2023.10.26

Miyagi Prefecture

Is there a lot of land in Hokkaido that has a connection to Miyagi? The migration of the Sendai samurai and the history of Hokkaido development [...

As the title suggests, did you know that Miyagi Prefecture and Hokkaido actually have a deep connection? It dates back to the Boshin War and the history of Hokkaido's development in the Meiji era. In this article, we will explore that connection...

Aoiwa2023.10.24

Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival (Tokugawa Ieyasu)

historic site

An on-site report on Nihonmatsu's chrysanthemum dolls. The theme for 2023 is Tokugawa Ieyasu!

Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture is one of Fukushima's most representative castle towns, along with Aizuwakamatsu Castle in Aizuwakamatsu City and Shirakawa Komine Castle (remains) in Shirakawa City. Nihonmatsu Castle (remains), a nationally designated historic site, is known as the "10th Japanese...

Aoiwa2023.10.23

sweets

Do you know about Tsugaru's traditional party goods, "Potatoes"? [Aomori Prefecture]

People from other prefectures may be wondering "?", but the majority of people from Tsugaru know about the party sweet "Imo-ken." I looked into what kind of sweets it was! "Imo...

Aoiwa2023.10.16

Power spot

Is one of the three most immovable Japanese people in Miyagi Prefecture? Shirauoyama Daitokuji Temple and Yokoyama Fudoson in Tome City [Miyagi Prefecture]

Sendai City, the heart of Miyagi Prefecture. Daitokuji Temple and Yokoyama Fudoson are located in Tome City about 80km northeast of this area. What a thing about Fudo Myo-o enshrined here...

Aoiwa2023.10.10