Virtual New Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #25 Kokuseki-ji Temple

 

     Yakushi-ji Temple, namely Bhaisajyaguru Temple, was founded in 729 but was burned down between 782 and 806, when the Imperial Army and northern foreigners fought against each other.  In 807, carpenters from Hida Province rebuilt the Bhaisajyaguru Hall.  In 849, the temple was revived and renamed Kokuseki-ji, which belonged to the Tiantai Sect.  The temple suffered a wildfire in 1261, a war in 1590, a festival fire in 1840, and another fire in 1881.  The current main hall was rebuilt in 1884.  Its main deity is a sitting statue of Bhaisajyaguru, with an inscription dated 862 on its inside.

     The Kokuseki-ji Somin Festival is a festival that suggests the spread of Somin faith to the Tohoku region, and is a valuable ethnic heritage that conveys the ancient form to the present day.

     According to legend, God Wuta came from the North Sea.  He asked Kotan for a night stay but was refused.  He asked Somin, Kotan's younger brother, and was accepted.  Several years later, Wuta visited Somin again and guaranteed the good health of Somin and Somin's offspring.  It is interesting and suggestive that Wuta came from the north, not from the central part of Japan.  We tend to think that something advanced would always come from the west.  Some, however, could have come from the north.

Address: Yamauchi-17 Mizusawaku Kuroishicho, Oshu, Iwate 023-0101

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