Virtual Kesen 33 Kannon Pigrimage #31 Hikami Shrine (?)

 

     Mount Hikami has been a holy place since prehistoric days.  It has 3 peaks, with Kinutate Shrine on its east peak, Tonakoshi Shrine on its central peak, and Rikukota Shrine on its western peak.  Kinutate meant Sitting in Woods, Tonakoshi meant Over a Pond, and Rikukota meant Sitting on a Hill.  Hikami Shrine was founded at the foot of the mountain for local people's religious convenience.

     Some say Rikukota Shrine had something to do with Goyozan Shrine, and Kinutate Shrine was related with Hachigamori.  It is unknown whether they were invited from their original holy places or they were distributed from Mount Hikami to their new residential holy places.  In the latter case, however, that in Hachigamori has been abolished.

     Under the belief of the amalgamation of Shinto and Buddhism, their original Buddhist deity was believed to be Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six, and its image was enshrined in Hikami Shrine.

Hikami Shrine

Address: Nishiwano-83 Takatacho, Rikuzentakata, Iwate 029-2205

Phone: 0192-55-5053

Kinutate Shrine

Tonakoshi Shrine

Rikukota Shrine

Address: Osumi Takatacho, Rikuzentakata, Iwate 029-2205

Goyozan Shrine

Address: Sekiya−27, Hikoroichicho, dsOfunato, Iwate 022-0005

Phone: 0192-28-2385

Hachigamori Sanrikucho Ryori, Ofunato, Iwate 022-0211