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Throughout your keep at Morioka, there are a few temples and shrines that we extremely suggest you go to, even in case you are an atheist or have already got your fill of the Japanese shrines and temples. Whereas they’re all non secular services, what makes them fascinating and distinctive aren’t the gods enshrined however the uncommon objects positioned within the precinct. Certainly one of them is even the place Iwate Prefecture‘s identify originated!
Desk of Contents
Sakurayama Shrine (櫻山神社)
Sakurayama Shrine is a must-visit spot in Morioka-jō Citadel Web site Park. The 7-meter-tall rock is what makes Sakurayama Shrine well-known. Placing whether or not the rock has the facility to make these it touches wholesome apart, it’s one thing that you’d wish to see up shut!
Additionally, you will discover a cute turtle on the shrine’s purification fountain!
For extra data, discuss with our article on Sakurayama Shrine!
Teramachi-dōri (寺町通)
Continuing north from Morioka-jō Citadel Web site Park, you’ll attain an space lined with temples and shrines. The Teramachi-dōri Avenue is the older a part of Morioka to really feel the town’s lengthy historical past. Inside the temples and shrines lie Morioka’s historical past and myths that form the town we all know immediately.
Of greater than 20 temples, Mitsuishi Shrine, Daisenji Temple, and Hōonji Temple are probably the most fascinating and are value your time.
Mitsuishi Shrine (三ツ石神社)
Mitsuishi Shrine behind the Tōkenji Temple (東顕寺) is the place Iwate Prefecture‘s identify was derived. You will see that the demon’s handprint (鬼の手) on three large 6-meter-tall granites. “Iwa” means rock, and “te” means hand, so the handprints on a rock had been shortened to Iwate.
The god enshrined right here is named Mitsuiwa-sawa (三ツ岩様), who defeated the demon who was rampaging the world. The handprint on the rock symbolizes the demon’s promise to the god that he would by no means do one thing unhealthy and return to the area once more.
The Sansa Competition (さんさ踊り) in August is alleged to have originated as a dance to precise their happiness and gratitude to Mitsuiwa-sama. Furthermore, the town’s previous identify, Kozukata (不来方), additionally originates from this legend. It implies that the town is within the path that demons would by no means return (二度と来ない方向).
Even now, moss “avoids” rising on the handprint, so you may nonetheless see what appears like a handprint. Be aware that sadly, the handprint is weathered, so it’s tough to see a transparent handprint these days.
Tip: The handprint turns into clearer after rain.
Different Issues About Mitsuishi Shrine
Whereas the precise date of Mitsuishi Shrine’s institution is unknown, it’s Morioka’s oldest shrine. In 1599, when the Nambu clan moved to the world, their ancestors had been enshrined at this shrine.
Along with Mitsuishi-sama, there are one other three gods enshrined right here. So it’s a shrine the place the locals pray for prosperity, well being, and relationships.
Tip: If you need Mitsuishi Shrin’s Goshuin, please go to Sakurayama Shrine‘s shrine workplace.
Methods to Get to Mitsuishi Shrine (三ツ石神社)
- Take a bus from JR Morioka Station (盛岡駅) and get off at both Honchōdōri Ichi-chōme (本町通一丁目) or Daisenji-guchi (大泉口). The shrine is then a 5-minute stroll.
Daisenji Temple (大泉寺)
Daisenji is one other fascinating temple on Teramachi-dōri avenue. The Pureland sect temple was restored between 1818 and 1829. Whereas the temple’s gentle inexperienced roof is definitely distinctive, it isn’t the explanation that draws most guests. Many go to the temple for an attractive younger girl’s grave near the temple’s Sanmon Gate. The girl named Okan (おかん) is thought for her chastity.
The Story of Okan
Due to her magnificence and sort character, many males nonetheless pursued Okan even after she was married. Sooner or later, she realized one of many guys who fell for her was plotting to homicide her husband as a way to get her. After a lot thought, she disguised herself as her husband and was killed by the person.
When the person realized the individual he killed was Okan, he deeply regretted what he did and altered his coronary heart. He buried Okan at Daisenji and have become a monk with Okan’s husband. Memorial providers had been held by the 2 males who as soon as cherished her.
Okan’s Grave Stone
Clearly, vacationers these days don’t go to a temple for a narrative. What makes the grave at Daisenji particular is the sound it makes when being knocked. Regardless of it being product of granite, it produces a slight for making a faint metallic sound when knocked!
While you get to her grave, you may discover a number of dents on the headstone. One of many dents ought to have a stone positioned on it. Whereas there isn’t any proof, the dents are in all probability shaped by the knockings of the guests.
Methods to Get to Daisenji Temple
- Take the loop bus, Dendenmushi-gō, from JR Morioka Station (盛岡駅) and get off at Honchōdōri Ichi-chōme (本町通一丁目). The temple is then a 3-minute stroll.
- Should you take an area bus and get off at Daisenji-guchi (大泉口). The temple is then a 1-minute stroll.
Hōonji Temple (報恩寺)
When the Gautama Buddha was alive, he had many disciples. The quantity is as many as 500, and they’re generally known as the 5 Hundred Disciples (五百羅漢) collectively. As a result of every of them has learnt immediately from the Gautama Buddha and was on the way in which to enlightenment, they had been worshipped and enshrined in Buddhist temples.
One of many temples on this planet the place you may meet the 5 Hundred Disciples is Hōonji. The five hundred picket Rakan statues had been accomplished between 1731 and 1735 by 9 sculptors of Buddhist photos. Though one in every of them is lacking, it’s nonetheless astonishing to see so many statues in a single place. And surprisingly, they’ve completely different facial expressions and physique language.
Hōonji was erected in 1394 as a Sōtō sect (曹洞宗) temple in Aomori’s Sannohe (三戸) to wish for the ancestors of the Nanbu clan. When the household moved to Morioka, the temple was relocated collectively.
The temple’s Sanmon Gate is magnificent. The 2-story constructing was accomplished in 1978 and has numerous delicate carvings utilized all through. The worship space on the second flooring has a Kannon Bodhisattva and deities enshrined.
Hōonji can also be the one few spots in Morioka the place you may see a constructing from Morioka Citadel. Though the fortress was dismantled within the Meiji Restoration, one of many fortress’s gates was relocated to Hōonji as its Chūmon Gate (中門).
Hōonji’s Rakan-dō Corridor
From the Sanmon Gate, strolling in the direction of the principle worship corridor, there’s a Rakan-dō Corridor on the left. The constructing, accomplished in 1735 and renovated between 1850 and 1851, is the place the 499 Rakan (Disciple) statues are enshrined. As their facial and physique language is expressive and even humorous, you may virtually hear a dialog between the disciples or what they’re pondering!
Furthermore, it’s mentioned that one of many disciples would appear to be you. The garments they put on aren’t restricted to at least one nation. So how about discovering the one which resembles you probably the most? Some even discover one disciple who appears like Marco Polo!
Lastly, bear in mind to search for on the ceiling for the full of life dragon portray!
In Buddhism, a Rakan is a standing identify given to an individual who has attained enlightenment by means of ascetic practices. In immediately’s time period, it’s a comparable concept to a level given to a pupil after he has completed all of the research required.
Hōonji Temple’s Opening Hours, Admission Payment, and Entry Info
- Hōonji is open from 9 am to 4 pm.
- The admission payment is
- 300 yen for adults
- 100 yen for elementary faculty college students.
- From JR Morioka Station, take a bus and get off at Kitayama (北山). The temple is then a 5-minute stroll.
- Should you take the Loop Bus Dendenmushi-gō, the temple is a 12-minute stroll from the bus cease, Honchōdōri Ichi-chōme (本町通一丁目).
Morioka Hachimangū Shrine (盛岡八幡宮)
Continuing east of Morioka-jō Citadel Web site Park, the bottom past the enormous vermilion-painted torii gate is Morioka Hachimangū Shrine’s precinct. It’s a less-known spot to overseas vacationers, however a shrine you gained’t wish to miss out on.
As a result of Morioka Hachimangū Shrine could be very spacious and positioned on a barely excessive floor, you may oversee Morioka’s cityscape from right here. With wealthy vegetation on its floor, the shrine reveals a unique face relying on which season you go to it. You may even spot a Japanese Serow strolling within the precinct!
For extra data, discuss with our Morioka Hachimangū article!
Morioka Tenmangū Shrine (盛岡天満宮)
The Komainu lion canine are generally discovered within the shrines and temples in Japan. As a result of most of them look comparatively the identical, you in all probability gained’t pay a lot consideration to them when passing by. Nevertheless, take a look at the pair of Komainu canine at Morioka Tenmangū Shrine. Their facial features will certainly make you chuckle (´▽｀*).
Morioka Tenmangū is a shrine for Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真), a god of studying. So initially, most pilgrims are college students. However for the reason that Komainu canine turned well-known, it has turn out to be a preferred vacationer spot.
For extra details about Sugawara no Michizane, discuss with our article on Dazaifu Tenmangū.
The Uncommon Issues at Morioka Tenmangū
The statues had been provided to commemorate the a thousandth anniversary. The rationale for making their faces human-like is unknown, however they’ve absolutely introduced extra guests to the shrine.
One other distinctive factor concerning the Komainu canine at Morioka Tenmangū is their base. Every of them has a brief poem written by Ishikawa Takuboku (石川啄木) carved. The shrine was a spot that the well-known poet visited throughout his routine walks. The statues additionally appeared in one in every of his novels.
Should you discover the Komainu statues cute, the shrine workplace sells a small model of the canine’ figures. And they’re constructed from Morioka’s specialty, Nanbu ironware!
Along with the Komainu canine, the faces of different guardian animal statues are additionally amusing that you simply gained’t discover in different shrines in Japan.
Furthermore, there’s a plum tree proper after passing by means of the torii gate that you simply may wish to take a look at. Just like the Ishiwarizakura cherry tree near Morioka-jō Citadel Web site Park, the Ishiwari-ume tree (石割梅) grows from a granite crack. As Sugawara no Michizane cherished plum blossoms, this could be the explanation that the plum grew from the crack!
Furthermore, it’s mentioned that ages in the past, numerous cash had been discovered within the stone’s crack that it was once referred to as Zeniwaki-ishi (銭湧石).
Morioka Tenmangū Shrine’s Opening Hours and Entry Info
- Morioka Tenmangū’s shrine workplace is open from 10 am to three pm.
- The shrine is a 7-minute stroll from the bus cease, Tenmangū-mae (天満宮前).
Be aware there are a set of staircases to climb to get to the shrine.
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