Virtual Old Akita 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #11 Daiji-ji Temple

 

     Daiji-ji Temple was first founded in Imashuku, Okachi County, Ideha Province, in 1013, about 30 years before the organization of the Old Akita 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, as an esoteric Buddhism temple.  It was regarded as a kind of a base camp to climb and worship Mount Horowa, where Horowa-san Haushiwake Shrine had been founded in August, 757.  

     In March, 724, the northern foreigners along the Pacific coast of the north-eastern region of Honshu rebelled against the Imperial Court, and killed Saeki Koyamaro (?-724), the 3rd officer of Mutsu Province after the Governor and the Vice-Governor.  In April, Fujiwara Umakai (694-737) was appointed as a general.  Ono Azumabito (?-742) accompanied him as a vice-general.  The expedition army returned in November.  In 729, Azumabito was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the defense of the north.  In 733, Okachi County was established and farmer-soldiers were sent.  In January, 737, Azumabito was appointed as the Inspector of Mutsu Province.  On March 1st in the same year, he left Mutsu Province with 196-strong central cavalry and 499-strong central infantry, 5,000-strong provincial soldiers, and 249 northern foreigners who had surrendered to open an access route to Ideha Province.  He suppressed the northern foreigners around Okachi County and secured the route.  From Spring to Autumn in 759, Okachi Fortress was built, mobilizing 8180 men.

     Mount Horowa, which might have been a holy place for northern foreigners since prehistoric days, was amalgamated into Shinto in those days.  Daiji-ji Temple could have been founded in the process of syncretizing Horowa-san Haushiwake Shrine and Buddhism.

     Tradition says that a noble man tried to visit Mount Horowa in the Southern and Northern Courts Period (1336-1392), drowned, and was buried in Daiji-ji Temple.  The temple was changed to Soto Chan School in 1369, moved to Age in 1512, and was moved to its present place in 1704.

Address: Takakuchishitamitotsutsumi-9 Omorimachi, Yokote, Akita 013-0517

Phone: 0182-26-2061

Imashuku, Omonogawamachi, Yokote, Akita 013-0205

Age, Taiyu, Yokote, Akita 013-0427

Horowa-san Haushiwake Shrine

Address: Harowasan 1-1, Omorimachi Yasawagi, Yokote, Akita 013-0561

Phone: 0182-26-6317