Virtual Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pigrimage #15 Takaki-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Soryu-ji Temple was founded in Hienuki County, Mutsu Province.  Hienuki County was organized in 811, when the Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized.  The county was under military rule.  When Soryu-ji Temple was moved in 1762 to where Rakanjido Park is located, its Kannon-do Hall was left behind and was called Takaki-ji Temple after the village name.  The temple became priest-less after 1777.  In 1827, Nun Ninko presented a Buddhist tanka poem to the temple:

My romance led me into Takaki-ji Temple

Where I felt as happy

As I married a wealthy man

     Before it was ruled by the Takaki Family, the village used to be called Kobunato, namely Small Ferry Port, and had a ferry port between the Hanamaki Castle Town and its opposite bank of Kitakami River.  When Abe Yoritoki (?-1057) practically ruled Mutsu Province, there already was a fort in today's Hanamaki.  All in all, an Avalokitesvara was enshrined in an important point of transportation before 811.

     The present Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha statue was presented by Ninko in 1827.

Address: Dai 16 Chiwari-14-1 Takaki, Hanamaki, Iwate 025-0016

Rakanjido Park

Address: 2 Chome-1-26 Chabatake, Morioka, Iwate 020-0822

Site of Hanamaki Castle

Address: 11 Jonai, Hanamaki, Iwate 025-0076