Virtual Shimokita 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #19 Chofuku-ji Temple

 

     Abe Hirafu, the governor of Koshi Province, commanded 180 ships and attacked Mishihase in 658.  After the attack, he held a banquet for cooperative and helpful northern foreigners, including those from Iburi-Sae.  Some identify Iburi-Sae to be Sai in Shimokita Peninsula.  Hirafu also offered the central government 2 alive bears and 70 bear hides.  In 659, he attacked Mishihase and offered the central government 49 captives.

     In 660, the central government finally dispatched Abe Hirafu so that he could command 200 ships and attack Mishihase.  He ordered the northern foreigners in Mutsu Province to board the ships, and got to the southern riverbank of a large river.  At that time, 1,000 northern foreigners in Watari-jima were encamped on the other riverbank.  2 of them proceeded and shouted out, “Many of Mishihase’s ships and soldiers are coming.  They are going to kill us.  We’d like to cross the river and work for you.”  Abe sent a ship and asked the two where the enemy was hiding their ships and how many ships they had.  The two pointed at a place and said, “More than 20 ships.”  Abe sent a messenger to the enemy, but they denied coming.  They also refused Abe’s appeasement policies, and held the fortress in Herobe Island.  They were defeated by Abe, and killed their own wives and children on the island.  Abe offered the central government 50 captives.

     Sai Village has Kosai, namely Old Sai, and Osai, namely Big Sai, areas.  Between the 2 areas, there is a hill on which Yanemori-Hachiman-gu Shrine stands.

     Shokai-ji Temple was founded in Osai at the foot of Yanemori-Hachiman-gu Shrine, which was founded in 1062.  The temple could have had something to do with the shrine, and was abolished after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868, with its Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha image moved to Chofuku-ji Temple, which had been founded in 1112, when Minamoto Yoriyoshi (988-1075) defeated the Abe Clan in Mutsu Province.  It is, however, unknown if Yoriyoshi's power reached the northernmost tip of the province.

Address: Kosai-112 Sai, Shimokita District, Aomori 039-4711

Phone: 0175-38-2298

Yanemori-Hachiman-gu Shrine

Address: Hachimando-37 Sai, Shimokita District, Aomori 039-4711

Phone: 0175-38-2259