Virtual Okitama 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Soo-in Temple

 

     It is unknown when Mitsubori-ji Temple was founded in Kunugizuka Village, Okitama County, Dewa Province.  The temple belonged to Shugen-do or mountain asceticism.

     Sato Uhyonosuke was at the bottom of the Fujiwara Clan in Kyoto.  He moved to Dewa Province in the middle of the Heian Period (794-1180).  He built his residence on the top of a hill on the left bank of Yoshino River and developed Kunugizuka Village.

     Mitsubori-ji Temple was the #27 member of the Okitama 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

     In 1868, when the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order, the temple abandoned the Shugen-do or mountain asceticism, which contained the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, and became a Shinto shrine, changing its name to Haguro Shrine.  As Mitsubori-ji Temple became Haguro Shrine, Soo-in Temple took over the membership.

     Soo-in Temple was founded in 1407 by Ayukai Narimune.

     The Ayukai Family was based in Ayukai Village, Okitama County, Dewa Province.  Ayukai Village was first documented in the diary of Date Terumune (1544-1585) dated September 3rd, 1574.

     Fujiwara Yasuchika was a low-ranking nobleman in Kyoto at the end of Heian Period (794-1185).  He moved to Mutsu Province, counting on the Northern Fujiwara Clan.  He lived in Okitama County, Dewa Province, probably working as a county government official.  He called himself Yokogoshi Taro.  The Yokogoshi Family actually ruled the northern part of Nagai Manor for about 250 years.  In 1396, Yokogoshi Narimune built Ayukai Fortress and moved there.  Since then, he called his family Ayukai.  It took him 11 years to develop the surrounding area enough to found a Buddhist temple.

     Takaoka Kannon-do Hall was built by the Abe Family sometime between 1596 and 1615.  The Date Clan moved out of Okitama County in 1591, and the Uesugi Clan came to rule the county in 1598.  The foundation of the hall might have had something to do with the change of the rulers.  It is unknown whether the Abe Family had lived there before the change or moved in there after the change.

Address: 3547 Ayukai, Shirataka, Nishiokitama District, Yamagata 992-0771

Phone: 0238-85-4291

Haguro Shrine

Address: 338-1 Ikeguro, Nanyo, Yamagata 992-0473

Takaoka Kanon

Address: 2338 Takaoka, Shirataka, Nishiokitama District, Yamagata 992-0778

Phone: 0238-85-4291