Virtual Kesen 33 Kannon Pigrimage #27 Jozen-ji Temple

 

     In 791, Sakanoue Tamuramaro (758-811) was dispatched to the eastern provinces to prepare for the war against northern foreigners.  In 794, he attacked northern foreigners in the north of Mutsu Province, with the military successes of beheading 457 and taking 150 captive.  In 801, Tamuramaro invaded the northeastern region again.  He sent Beppu Hayato to the Kesen area.  Hayato killed Kumai of Yahagi, Hayatora of Otomo, and Kanainu of Ikawa.  He buried their heads in respective places.  As Hayato died of a disease there, they might have been afraid of the curses of the beheaded.  Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha images were enshrined, and they are called Kesen 3 Kannon.

     The present Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha image of Jozen-ji Temple is supposed to have been remade in the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).  According to tradition, a “warabite sword” was dug up in the precincts.

     The technical term warabite sword was used by modern researchers.  The oldest documented example of its use is by Matsuura Hiroshi in 1882.

     According to a distribution map of warabite swords across Japan published by Hirosaki City Library, approximately 250 warabite swords have been identified throughout Japan, with the majority having been excavated in the Hokkaido and the Tohoku Regions, and the remainders mostly in northern Kanto. A few examples have been excavated in Western Japan.  This suggests that it was a weapon primarily used by northern foreigners.

     The warabite sword was produced over a period of approximately two centuries, from the late 7th century to the 9th century.  Some warabite swords dating to the late 9th century have been confirmed to have curved blades.

     An analysis was attempted at the Nippon Steel Corporation research laboratory, and the results showed that the raw material was iron sand, that the carbon content was low, and that there were many impurities.  The very low carbon content means that the iron is not hard.  That some were not practical as weapons.  That there was a large difference in quality.

     The ratio of the three components of copper, nickel, and cobalt contained in the warabite swords was classified from A to G.  It was highly likely that warabite swords were made presumably in 7 locations, and that the metal needed for sword making was procured from different regions at each production location.

     Based on sword making and appraisal research, it is believed that the warabite swords were passed down to the Ichinoseki Mokusa swords.  

     Japanese swords are known for their curves.  Some say the curving style started in Mokusa after repeated improvement based on the experience through fighting between the Imperial Army and northern foreigners.  As Iwai County was organized in 804, it is doubtful that the Mokusa area was under the Imperial Army's rule when swordsmiths started their work in the area.  They came under the military rules presumably in the 9th century.

     In the 930's, Mokusa Awa established the Mokusa style of Japanese swords.

     From the end of the Heian period to the Kamakura period, Mutsu blacksmiths, probably including Dewa Gassan blacksmiths, were invited to Yamato or Kyushu, leading to Yamato Senjuin, Bungo Yukihira, and Satsuma Namihira.

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