Virtual Shimokita 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #21 Amida-ji Temple

 

     Priest Kakuyo (?-1675) of Hosshin-ji Temple built a retirement home and named it Amida-an.  In 1929, Amida-an became a temple and was named Amida-ji.

     Oma Village could have been unique.  Its Inari Shrine enshrines Mazu, who is a Chinese sea goddess in Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Mazu is the deified form of Lin Moniang, who is said to have lived in the late 10th century.  Her worship spread throughout China's coastal regions and overseas Chinese communities throughout Southeast Asia.  Oma could be her northern limit.

     Oma was also believed to have had a fort of northern foreigners, Shijuya-date Fort.

     During the Genroku Period (1688-1704), Ito Gozaemon, who later became headman of Oma, conceived that he received protection of Mazu at sea.  In Japan, Mazu worship spread mixed with that of Ototachibanahime, who had ties to Hitachi Province.  In the Edo Period (1603-1867), Tokugawa Mitsukuni (1628-1700), who was the lord of the Mito Domain, enshrined a statue of Mazu which was brought from China.  Mazu of Oma Inari Shrine is said to have been invited from Nakaminato, Hitachi Province, on July 23rd, 1697.  Since then, the Mazu Festival is held annually on March 23rd, July 23rd, and August 23rd.

Address: Oma−97 Oma, Shimokita District, Aomori 039-4601

Phone: 0175-37-3310

Hosshin-ji Temple

Address: Kosai-25-3 Sai, Shimokita District, Aomori 039-4711

Phone: 0175-38-2276

Inari Shrine

Address: Oma−91-1 Oma, Shimokita District, Aomori 039-4601

Phone: 0175-37-4101

Shijuya-date Site

Address: Oma, Shimokita District, Aomori 039-4601

Phone: 0175-37-2111