Virtual Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pigrimage #32 Mi-do Hall

 

     Mido is an honorific of a hall.  When the Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized in 811, there should have been a hall which enshrined an Avalokitesvara image in a territory which was later called Nukanobu County.  In those days, the area was inhabited by northern foreigners who belonged to the Jomon Culture.

     In 1070, Minamoto Yoritoshi, the Governor of Mutsu Province, and Kiyohara Sadahira advanced north and reached Ezowake-shima Island, whose whereabouts are still controversial. Some argue the island was Hokkaido, while others say it was a part of the Tohoku Region.  Anyway, the main strength of the expedition force was the Kiyohara Clan.

     While Yoritoshi was in the battle front, Fujiwara Motomichi, a local official of Mutsu Provincial Government, stole the Governor's seal and the key of provincial warehouses.  Yoritoshi was dismissed, and Sadahira had the achievement of the war all to himself.  In addition, Sadahira gained supremacy in the sea route along the Pacific Ocean.

     It was after the expedition that Nukanobu County was organized.  That is, the area became under the control of the Imperial Court nominally.  In reality?  Emerging samurai class advanced to the area which the Imperial Court hadn't been able to conquer.

     It means those who supported the hall maintained their independence for 2 and a half centuries. It is unknown how long the hall lasted.

Address: Mido Tsunogaraori, Hashikami, Sannohe District, Aomori 039-1208