Virtual Old Akita 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #16 Enman-ji Temple

 

     Mt. Kosugi is located on the left bank of Tsuchikai River.  According to tradition, the god(s) of Hakusan Shrine was/were invited to the opposite bank in 717.  In 807, Enman-ji Temple was founded at the foot of Mt. Kosugi.

     In 709, Ideha County was established at the northern end of Koshi Province.  Ideha Fortress was supposedly built around that time at the estuary of Mogami River.  Ideha County was separated from Koshi Province and was promoted to province in 712.  Afterwards, more than 800 farmer soldiers were immigrated from Koshi Province and some eastern provinces.  The Imperial Court continued to expand the area where the county system was implemented, relying on migrated farmer-soldiers.  In 733, Ideha Fortress was relocated north, or advanced, to Akita at the estuary of Omono River at about 100 kilometers from its original place.

     The area around Mt. Kosugi might have been developed in the above mentioned process.

     Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha is said to have been enshrined in Hakusan Shrine as the shrine's main deity, Kukurihime, was believed to be the manifestation of Ekadasamukha.

Address: Kosugiyama-19 Tsuchikawa, Daisen, Akita 019-2111

Phone: 0187-75-2185

Kosugiyama Hakusan Shrine

Address: Kannonbayashi 2-2, Sawanouchi, Kosugiyama, Tsuchikawa, Daisen, Akita 019-2111

Phone: 0187-62-4352