Eastern Awa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage

     Eastern Awa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized by Fumonken Entsu Upasaka in 1710.  He had heard an oracle to build 33 holy precincts within 33 li (=142 kilometers).  Its guidebook was published as early as in 1718, and more guidebooks were published in 1860s.  After World War II, it was revived in 1972.

     Surprisingly enough, Awa Province had more 33 Kannon pilgrimages: Western Awa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, Awa Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, and Awa Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage.  Eastern Awa 33 Kannon, Awa Bando 33 Kannon, and Awa Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimages constituted Awa 100 Kannon Pilgrimage.  The Awa people used to love Kannon pilgrimages.  No wonder, it was Yamamoto Raku (1845-1927), who was born, grew up, and worked in Awa Province, that newly organized the 33 Kannon pilgrimage all across Hokkaido in 1913, after she retired from her successful business.