The 100 Kannon Pilgrimage or the 100 Kannon Holy Places

 

     Oi Yukitoshi (1427-1505) fought in the Onin War, which was a civil war that lasted from 1467 to 1477, and which was the start of the Warring States Period in Japan.  After the war, he returned to his homeland, Saku County, Shinano Province, and built the Iwao Fortress in Naruse on the cliff between Chikuma and Yu Rivers, realizing the coming of the age of war.  In 1486, his son, Yukimitsu (1453-1525), succeeded to the family headship.

     In 1489, Takeda Nobumasa (1447-1505) invaded Saku County from Kai Province, and set fire to the Iwao Fortress.  The Oi, Kosaka, Shiga, Hiraga, and Murakami Families helped Yukimitsu, and he returned to the fortress.  In 1509, Yukimitsu made peace with Tomono Sadayoshi (1471-1559), who fought at the forefront of the Takeda Army, mediated by the Regent of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate, Uesugi Akisada (1454-1510).

     Abruptly, at the end of the 15th century, he left the fortress and visited the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, and the Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage.  He returned to the fortress in 1525, and built a stone monument, commemorating visiting 100 Kannon Holy Places.  That was the earliest written document on the original 100 Kannon Pilgrimage.  The idea itself should date back.  Yukimitsu died on March 3rd in the same year.

     It's surprising that the Oi Family survived and lasted till the end of the Warring States Period.  It was on March 3rd, 1583, the 5th lord of the fortress, Yukiyoshi (1542-1584), finally surrendered to the Tokugawa Army after holding the fortress for 5 months.  The Iwao Fortress was abolished with the 100 Kannon Pilgrimage monument left in its site.

Iwao Castle Ruins

Address: Naruse, Saku, Nagano 385-0016